Hi all
I am going to Thailand to undertake a course which will enable me to teach English as a Foreign Language.
I have been accepted on a 4 week course at Stamford College in Hat Yai. The course will train me to teach and I'll be awarded with a general certificate. The cost of the course relates to the fact that it is not CELTA certified. I understand that I could get a job without any training and just my degree but feel I need to train for my own benefit (and ultimately my students).
Before I commit to the course has anyone else done it or studied in Hat Yai. Any help or feedback will be appreciated.
Stamford College
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stamford hat yai
I thought you should get some answer, even if its not 100% what you want....
I've been to hat yai, its a large city, dirty and flat. You'll survive for a month if you can take the heat.
Stamford is one of the TEFL schools I considered, but I haven't seen much discussion of it on any of the boards, good or bad. I've never seen it included in anyone's list of "best programs", "most respected programs", "easiest to get a job with", or "easiest to use outside Thailand". Then again, its never on the "worst" lists either. I haven't taken any TEFL course yet, I'm still shopping myself. If you get there ahead of time you can ask to sit in on a class of the previous group and bail out if its awful.
I think there is still a once-a-day overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Hat Yai that is much cheaper than flying there. In fact, its cheaper than a hotel room for one night in Bangkok. The class just below first class (2nd class, air-con, sleeper car), was what I used.
I wouldn't pay anything more than a deposit up front to Stamford, so you can easily bail out and take the next train back to BKK and choose another course there if the Stamford one is crap.
I've been to hat yai, its a large city, dirty and flat. You'll survive for a month if you can take the heat.
Stamford is one of the TEFL schools I considered, but I haven't seen much discussion of it on any of the boards, good or bad. I've never seen it included in anyone's list of "best programs", "most respected programs", "easiest to get a job with", or "easiest to use outside Thailand". Then again, its never on the "worst" lists either. I haven't taken any TEFL course yet, I'm still shopping myself. If you get there ahead of time you can ask to sit in on a class of the previous group and bail out if its awful.
I think there is still a once-a-day overnight sleeper train from Bangkok to Hat Yai that is much cheaper than flying there. In fact, its cheaper than a hotel room for one night in Bangkok. The class just below first class (2nd class, air-con, sleeper car), was what I used.
I wouldn't pay anything more than a deposit up front to Stamford, so you can easily bail out and take the next train back to BKK and choose another course there if the Stamford one is crap.
I completed the TEFL course at Stamford College in Hat Yai Aug/Sep 2004. I had my reservations initially about it because it was so much cheaper (27,000 incl accom, 23,000 with out accom) than any where else (Koh Samui 55,000Baht not incl accom). I agree Hat Yai is not a great place but your there to do the course and don't have a gerat deal of spare time to do much else, once you've completed the course you'll probably do the same as me and get the hell out of Hat Yai.
The college can arrange accommodation which most students take. The accommodation is reasonable. If I could turn back the clock would I do the course would I choose Stamford again? The answer is a definite YES and use thier suggested accommodation. Stamford is a huge place the facilites are really good I guess the differnce between a good and bad course is the course tutor. when I was there it was Alan Jones if he's still there go for it.
I'm still not sure about the confusion about CELTA, TEFL, Text and Talk. But I have got a TEFL certificate from Stamford College who are approved by the Thai Ministry of Education.
Overall I would give their TEFL course 10/10.
The other 2 student who were doing the course with me agreed it was a good course.
Andy.
The college can arrange accommodation which most students take. The accommodation is reasonable. If I could turn back the clock would I do the course would I choose Stamford again? The answer is a definite YES and use thier suggested accommodation. Stamford is a huge place the facilites are really good I guess the differnce between a good and bad course is the course tutor. when I was there it was Alan Jones if he's still there go for it.
I'm still not sure about the confusion about CELTA, TEFL, Text and Talk. But I have got a TEFL certificate from Stamford College who are approved by the Thai Ministry of Education.
Overall I would give their TEFL course 10/10.
The other 2 student who were doing the course with me agreed it was a good course.
Andy.