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MarcyG69
Joined: 21 Dec 2010
Posts: 20
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 Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 2:04 am Post subject: Has anyone heard or taken this course before?? |
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I found this course online and just wondering if anyone has any experience with it.
http://www.tesolcoursethailand.com/ |
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 1:37 am Post subject: |
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Looks like the American TESOL program. Get a discount on your TESOL certifcate course in exchange for 4 months "practicum". These types of programs usually pair graduates with placement agencies (for a fee obviously). Because these courses usually dont give the teachers their certificate until they finish 1 semester (4-5 months) at a school, the agencies get a guaranteed teacher for 1 semester, the TESOL course gets to offer a discounted price (as the agencies pay the remainder and a little extra for their trouble), and the teachers get a guaranteed job for 1 semester.
Downside...try finding out where your placement will be. These courses often promise that teachers will be in Bangkok, Phuket, etc, but in most cases you will be in a smaller city or town outside of Bangkok and away from major tourist areas. This can be a good thing if that is an experience you want to try. It is only 4 months so wont kill you.
If you are adventurous, it can be a good way to get your foot in the door in EFL.
Good luck. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 3:26 am Post subject: |
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The downside is that they often insist that you work illegally (and you don't get your cert until the work term is complete).
You end up at a school who is not your sponsor.
The agency who is actually paying you can't or won't sponsor a visa and/or work permit...
so in the end you work on either an Education visa or a tourist visa and do a border run when necessary.
Dodgy to say the least and the chance of things going pear shaped on you with you left holding the bag rise exponentially as things get more dodgy.
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MaiPenRai
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 390
Location: BKK
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:37 am Post subject: |
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| Dodgy to say the least |
While agreed on most points,
Considering these courses have been running this type of program for 5+ years now, I would say it is quite safe in that regard. While I have heard of teachers in these types of programs not receiving their work permits, I haven't heard of one who has had any major trouble legally.
In most of these agency cases, it is the school that is in charge of visa and work permit, BUT they pay the agency to do all the legwork to get it done. So, the agency prepares all (most of) the documents and the school director simply signs where required. Many things can go wrong in this scenario. The director simply doesn't sign due to whimsy, dislike of teachers, greed for a little extra on the side or agency makes clerical errors or whimsy of the immigration officer, etc. Remember that, in most cases, the agencies do not know what the teachers are like until a few days before they are placed, SO if they do not like the teachers due to personality conflicts, poor performance, etc, they may not put a lot of effort, time and money into getting all the paperwork done for a teacher who will be gone in 2 months time. Not saying its right or wrong, just the way it is often done here.
Also, some regions are notoriously hard to get work permits and visas and so it is a little bit of luck as well. Agencies with a strong history with partner schools and regional immigraton/labour officers usually have fewer problems in this area.
If money and lack of experience and/or certifcation are an issue, these courses are a decent option for beginner in Thailand or someone just looking for a 6 month gap year teaching holiday without the hassles of job searches, interviews and the like.
It is a risk that you will be placed anywhere in the country, and although you may end up having some visa/work permit issues, |
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