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[JimmyGreaves]

Agree with VS and others, do a CELTA, it's more widley recognised and generally given more credit internationally than the others.

I did mine in Bangkok too at ECC(who have now moved from Siam Square to just down the road), who, it is mostly agreed upon do the best CELTA courses. True, people do fail, but it's the one to do.

The other thing is that the Thai's are sadley, blinkeredly impressed by the words "University of Cambridge", over anywhere else, even Trinity(Oxford).

Soon it will be a standard everywhere, just time, is in a lot of places already. Good time to do it while the US dollar is so low because they want paying in US dollars or the equivelant for the course.. Good luck.

Out of curiosity what is a ballpark cost for attending the CELT Course in BKK ?

[JimmyGreaves]

Agree with VS and others, do a CELTA, it's more widley recognised and generally given more credit internationally than the others.

I did mine in Bangkok too at ECC(who have now moved from Siam Square to just down the road), who, it is mostly agreed upon do the best CELTA courses. True, people do fail, but it's the one to do.

The other thing is that the Thai's are sadley, blinkeredly impressed by the words "University of Cambridge", over anywhere else, even Trinity(Oxford).

Soon it will be a standard everywhere, just time, is in a lot of places already. Good time to do it while the US dollar is so low because they want paying in US dollars or the equivelant for the course.. Good luck.

Cost in BKK?

[Vital Spark]

johnnyk: Interesting question about using my CELTA now. Yes, I'm teaching young adults at a university. Did what I learnt make me a better teacher? I'm not so sure. The certificate gave me an 'in', but I've learnt far more actually doing the job, and I've never stop learning. I've been teaching here for over 10 years and every year brings new challenges and different situations. You never stop learning how to teach because each class (even if you're teaching the same lesson) presents new challenges (if you really want to improve yourself). Sorry if that sounds so teachy, but that's the way it is.

Just checked the ECC website and the current charge is 1,600 US dollars. I think if you look at doing the course anywhere in the world the costs are comparative. However, if you want to teach in Thailand at least you get to try out your 'new' skills on Thai students (and the cost of living here, if you need to stay in a hotel, is considerably cheaper than Europe).

I haven't posted the link here, but if you type 'celta ecc thailand' into Google you can easily find a page with the times, dates and locations of the courses.

VS

[johnnyk]

VS,
not teachy at all, i feel/think the same way... most of the time.
as you know, there are some days....grrrrr

[migrant]

The certificate gave me an 'in', but I've learnt far more actually doing the job, and I've never stop learning. VS

I think that is accurate in most any field, I know it applied to me.

I've hired accountants out of school, that have passed the grueling 2.5 day CPA exam, and who find out very quickly the real world doesn't fit nicely in one of the project lessons in the text book!

[bubbly]

ADW!!!As a teacher i would have thought you would have known better than to home in on one part of a paragraph, and disregard everything else said (until i pointed it out).I completely understand there's a few fly by night teachers and i'm genuinly trying to look to get above that level. Why would i have posted in the first place otherwise???? It begs a question though! Why are you teaching in Thailand if not to sustain your life there????,i presume thats where you are!I'm sure you could teach in the UK,good or bad teacher aside. People in glass houses etc etc!!!!!!

[Spitfire]

Again, agree with VS. The CELTA is more about methodology than grammar, there is a section on grammar and you would be wise to swot-up a bit on it before you go on the course(I'm not suggesting you memorise Martin Parrot), just brush up a bit.

The course is basically about a book by Jeremy Harmer called 'The Practice of English Language Teaching' and it is very good.

The course is to make you a better teacher by understanding the different approaches that are currently regarded as 'getting results' in teaching adult non-native students.

The environment is very conducive to teaching and is controlled by the DELTA instructors closely.

As VS points out, you never stop learning and these courses are really to set you on your way. If you can self-evaluate honestly and address what you think needs addressing, then you will progress as a teacher, nobody knows it all.

When you finish the course and wander out to teach here, there are a few problems like class size, student motovation issues, very mixed ability classes etc, which you don't come across on the course, but that's the real teaching world, you get used to it.

But, do a CELTA, was the best course I've been on and a great move to start learning how to teach.

As VS says, about $1600 for the course, 1 months rent in an apartment and if you can rent close then walk or use the sky-train. Don't worry about anything else to much, you'll have plently to do like lesson plans, lexis sheets, assignments etc.

But so long as you focus and commit for a month, get your shit together and take it seriously, shouldn't have a problem. You'll feel great at the end.

Sorry JimmeyGreaves, didn't get on till the morning. About 70-75 thousand baht all in, and that included have a bit of fun along the way.

[johnnyk]

Just checked the ECC website and the current charge is 1,600 US dollars.

VS

I asked a colleague today who said he did his CELTA in York about 3-4 yrs ago and paid 900 quid as far as he remembers, just for info.

[Brit Jim]

Hi

I have been reading this Link with interest!

Are there many teaching jobs in Hua Hin or do you have to be in BKK?

In an ideal world I would like to be in HH now but its just having the guts to leave the UK.

I already have a degree and would do the Celtic Cs in BKK. 30, 000 B per month from teaching coupled with my forces pension would give me an excellent standard of living.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Many Thanks

[johnnyk]

life is short, need we say more?
30K + pension (how mutt?) can buy a decent lifestyle, especially outside BKK and major tourist centres. upcountry you can live v-e-r-y nicely on 40K/month.
the celta will not necessarily win you more salary in LoS, BUT you will know how to put the content across thus making your teaching time easier

[Vital Spark]

Are there many teaching jobs in Hua Hin or do you have to be in BKK?

Yes there are, well certainly where I work. We're currently advertising on the major teaching site in Thailand (ajarn). Unfortunately, the job of recruiting has been given to a young Thai colleague, I've offered help with interviewing but have been 'brushed off' with a flick of the hand. If you're seriously interested, and are willing to commit yourself to teaching then PM me.

VS

PS: It's a CELTA course (Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults), not Celtic Mind you, a Celtic course might enable me to be more 'in touch' with Parahandy's Scottish ways...

[Brit Jim]

Hi Vital Spark

Thanks for that!!

I have sent you a PM.