Job Discussion Forums

[Jmancha]

I intend on teaching ESL in Thailand beginning in March. As such, I plan on taking a TEFL within Thailand sometime around early February. From what I've read on the forums, International House seems to be a good option. My only question revolves around whether to take it in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. I would prefer to ultimately teach withing Bangkok as I have more interest in living in a big city. Therefore, I thought it may be a better idea to do the CELTA in Bangkok. However, it seems that the Chiang Mai location is far more popular and seems to fill up much more quickly. Is it the case that the Chiang Mai location is that much better? Additionally, seeing as to how I will not know anyone in Thailand I hoped to make some friends in the CELTA course. Is it the case, though, that if I completed the course in Chiang Mai most of my classmates would remain in Chiang Mai? Also, is there a different type of person that attends each class? I have no age bias but I'm kind of young (in my 20's) and would hope to find at least a few others of a similar age. Would there be a greater likely hood of encountering this at either location? Thanks in advance.

[tttompatz]

[KarenB]

Personally, I would prefer living in Chiang Mai to Bangkok -- it's much cheaper to find housing, and transportation is really cheap because it's such a small town. And it's a lot cooler at night than Bangkok. That being said, if your ultimate goal is to live in Bangkok, you might do better to do your training there, so as to build up contacts for a job when you finish.

[NigerianWhisper]

It is of course much cheaper to live in Chiang Mai.............which is also reflected in the very low salaries on offer there.

[BanjerD]

CM all the way...