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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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 Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 4:59 pm Post subject: Introducing myself and advice sought |
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Hello all!
I've just had my registration authorised and I wanted to introduce myself.
I am a 23 year old British female living in London. I have just returned from a short trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand and have since decided that I would like to follow my aspirations and work as a TEFL teacher (haven't decided for how long yet) in Thailand. I graduated from one of the UKs top universities last year in Classics and have quite a lot of experience with children of different ages.
I am now considering my options and would like some honest advice from you all. They are:
1) Taking a CELTA with IH in Chiang Mai around August/September time and then finding work while in the country
2) Completing a TEFL course with TEFL Heaven and then being placed within a school organised for me.
3) I have a second interview with a school I applied for and the start date (should I be successful) is in July. This would mean a very brief TEFL course and a mad rush to tie up loose ends here.
I understand how the CELTA course is the most in-depth and thorough but my only concern is that it is focused on adults, as opposed to children. Therefore because I am most likely to be teaching children, a TEFL would be more appropriate. However, I am a believer that if you are going to educate yourself, you should invest in the best possible course and qualification.
I have a few questions too, including whether with the first option, coming out to Thailand without a job is risky.
Any advice, suggestions or criticism is much welcomed and I look forward to your responses.
Moonbeam : ) |
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spiral78
Joined: 05 Apr 2004
Posts: 11534
Location: On a Short Leash
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:31 pm Post subject: |
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| We're glad to meet you, and some of your queries are general, but you might get more (and more specific) info if you post on the Thailand board below as well, in case you haven't already. |
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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:38 pm Post subject: |
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Hi spiral78,
Thanks for your reply. I posted in "Thailand" too although I was worried about spamming! |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:44 pm Post subject: |
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Pleased to meet you. Very nice introduction.
I know very little about children, and nothing about Thailand, so I can't give you much advice. But I wish you well in your endeavours. In fact, I'm taking time off my reading of Hegel's Phenomenology of Spirit to raise a shot glass of my own spirit right now to toast your future fortune!
Ura!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WylnLBGVLbc |
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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject: |
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| Hi sashadroogie, thanks for the well wishes and great vodka video! Anyone would think it were water : ) |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:04 pm Post subject: Re: Introducing myself and advice sought |
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| moonbeamshimmer wrote: |
Hello all!
I've just had my registration authorised and I wanted to introduce myself.
I am a 23 year old British female living in London. I have just returned from a short trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand and have since decided that I would like to follow my aspirations and work as a TEFL teacher (haven't decided for how long yet) in Thailand. I graduated from one of the UKs top universities last year in Classics and have quite a lot of experience with children of different ages.
I am now considering my options and would like some honest advice from you all. They are:
1) Taking a CELTA with IH in Chiang Mai around August/September time and then finding work while in the country
2) Completing a TEFL course with TEFL Heaven and then being placed within a school organised for me.
3) I have a second interview with a school I applied for and the start date (should I be successful) is in July. This would mean a very brief TEFL course and a mad rush to tie up loose ends here.
I understand how the CELTA course is the most in-depth and thorough but my only concern is that it is focused on adults, as opposed to children. Therefore because I am most likely to be teaching children, a TEFL would be more appropriate. However, I am a believer that if you are going to educate yourself, you should invest in the best possible course and qualification.
I have a few questions too, including whether with the first option, coming out to Thailand without a job is risky.
Any advice, suggestions or criticism is much welcomed and I look forward to your responses.
Moonbeam : ) |
1) CELTA is king in Thailand. It won't help in a young learners class but it will look good on your resume. You have the degree so it won't be needed to get a job.
2) NEVER take a job without checking it out first. There is no shortage of jobs here so getting "assigned" to a school is never a great option.
3) Start date in July sounds like a language center and not a school. Have you actually been there ?
4) CELTA is just a brand name for a TEFL course. The other courses are similar.
5) Coming to Thailand first and then finding a job is not that risky. There are plenty of jobs to be had and you tick all the right boxes: native speaker, degree, female, young, wants to work with kids.
Finding a job from abroad IS risky. |
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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:15 pm Post subject: |
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tttompatz: thanks for your reply.
Would you personally recommend a CELTA or a TEFL course for me taking into account that I would like to work with children but I also want to be taking seriously as a FL teacher?
With regards to the school I have a second interview for, my first interview was an hour and a half long on Skype and I "met" many students and teachers and was given an internet tour of the school. By no means does this mean that I know what I am letting myself in for, but I got a good feeling from this school and the headteacher and students.
Also, why do you think that being placed in a school is never a good option? I think that TEFL Heaven is legitimate and genuine, but I'd like to know the negatives of this kind of package from your point of view.
Thank you |
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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Another question I have is if I undertake the first option, coming out to Thailand without a job and completing the month long CELTA course in Chiang Mai, when is the best time to start the course and apply for jobs? I would prefer to complete the course and then start work within a week or two of finishing the course. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:31 pm Post subject: |
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| moonbeamshimmer wrote: |
ttompatz: thanks for your reply.
Would you personally recommend a CELTA or a TEFL course for me taking into account that I would like to work with children?
With regards to the school I have a second interview for, my first interview was an hour and a half long on Skype and I "met" many students and teachers and was given an internet tour of the school.
Also, why do you think that being placed in a school is risky? I think that TEFL Heaven is legitimate and genuine, but I'd like to know the negatives of this kind of package from your point of view.
Thank you |
Learning how to teach before you get dropped into a classroom is never a bad thing.
CELTA IS a TEFL course. Are you asking for a brand recommendation?
In regards to what TEFL course, provided it is 120 hours or longer with a minimum of 6 hours of practicum then it meets the requirements that most employers are looking for.
CELTA does offer a YL module. The YL course was discontinued.
If you want to work with older kids (m1-m6) a TEFL cert will help.
If you want to work in a K-6 environment then save your money.
As far as skype interviews.... I do them with new hires occasionally. I don't like them because the new teacher doesn't have a chance to get a good feel for the school before they come in. (They can't see what they can't see).
Thailand is a boots on the ground sort of place. Timing of the job start and your interview description suggest a smallish language academy rather than a school. Caveat Emptor.
Being placed into a school in Thailand is NEVER a good idea. You never know where you will end up and you really don't have much input into the process.
There is no shortage of jobs.
Why take something sight unseen when you are of the demographic that literally has their pick of jobs?
. |
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moonbeamshimmer
Joined: 28 May 2012
Posts: 13
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| Posted: Thu May 31, 2012 11:43 pm Post subject: |
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I see where you are coming from and the only reason why I am not keen on "boots on the ground" is because I am the type of person that needs organisation and structure. I understand that teaching is general is stressful and demanding and I am not scared of that, but I am slightly wary of not having a set plan and place to go. I suppose I should just suck it up and get out there.
Suggestions re when I should get out to Thailand to start the month course and apply for jobs? |
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sigmoid
Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 1276
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 12:12 am Post subject: |
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 Anybody considering Thailand for work or travel needs to begin following the news out of Bangkok immediately in order to to stay informed about events as they unfold on a daily basis.  |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Fri Jun 01, 2012 3:08 am Post subject: |
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| moonbeamshimmer wrote: |
I see where you are coming from and the only reason why I am not keen on "boots on the ground" is because I am the type of person that needs organisation and structure. I understand that teaching is general is stressful and demanding and I am not scared of that, but I am slightly wary of not having a set plan and place to go. I suppose I should just suck it up and get out there.
Suggestions re when I should get out to Thailand to start the month course and apply for jobs? |
The BEST time for job searching is March to May. The school year begins in mid May.
The second best time for job searching is the mid year break in Oct. Classes return at the end of the month.
You can always find work in language academies. They hire year round.
The WORST time to be looking for work is from Dec - Feb. There are literally thousands of backpackers trying to extend their winter in the sun and it is the end of the school year so jobs are scarce and the competition is fierce.
If you are landing here between now and the end of Oct. the chances of finding (legal) work (visa and WP) with a salary range of 32k-40k thb/mo within 30 days of starting your job search is 100%.
. |
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kazuo62
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Republic of Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 3:43 am Post subject: |
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| moonbeamshimmer, all arrows point to taking the big risk and showing up in Thailand without a job in hand. It's an absolutely horrible strategy to take if seeking work in many, many other countries. I've been doing loads of research (albeit limited to the Internet, so take it for what it is), and showing up with the right tourist visa and enough cash to last a few months is the way it's done. Scary, eh? Before I take that leap, I'm going to communicate with the Thai embassy here so that I don't end up fined, deported, or *gasp* imprisoned over faulty Internet information. Although Internet people are never wrong. |
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tttompatz
Joined: 06 Mar 2010
Posts: 1951
Location: Talibon, Bohol, Philippines
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 5:10 am Post subject: |
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| kazuo62 wrote: |
moonbeamshimmer, all arrows point to taking the big risk and showing up in Thailand without a job in hand. It's an absolutely horrible strategy to take if seeking work in many, many other countries.
I've been doing loads of research (albeit limited to the Internet, so take it for what it is), and showing up with the right tourist visa and enough cash to last a few months is the way it's done. Scary, eh?
Before I take that leap, I'm going to communicate with the Thai embassy here so that I don't end up fined, deported, or *gasp* imprisoned over faulty Internet information. Although Internet people are never wrong. |
2 options:
<A>
i) get a ticket to Thailand (exit ticket required) and you will get a 30-day entry on arrival.
ii) find a job. Get the paperwork from the school.
iii) Provided you have 21 days remaining on your entry you can change your status from tourist to non-b.
iiia) if you don't have 21 days remaining on your stay you do a quick pop up to the Thai Embassy in Laos (there are agencies that run up there twice each week). 3800 THB for the package (border run and double entry, 60-day tourist visa).
<B>
i) get a 60-day, double entry tourist visa at home.
ii) come to Thailand and find a job.
iii) go to immigration and change your status from tourist to non-b.*
*requires:
more than 21 days remaining on your allowed stay
that you have a degree and transcripts to match.
that you have a clean criminal record check
that you have a passport from one of: UK, USA, Can., NZ., Aus.
- If your passport is not from one of those 5 you will also need a TOEIC score of 600+ (IELTS of 5.5 is also acceptable).
It is NOT illegal to find work on a tourist visa or tourist entry stamp.
IT IS ILLEGAL TO BEGIN WORK WITHOUT YOUR NON-B VISA.
. |
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kazuo62
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 7
Location: Republic of Korea
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| Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2012 7:19 am Post subject: |
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| tttompatz, nice break down of the options. Thanks! |
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