If you have a plan to incorporate teaching English into your repertoire of skillsets, you will need to get the right certification and the Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course is certainly something to aim for. Thailand is one of the most popular destinations for those wishing to earn some money teaching English and in Chiang Mai, in the northern part of Thailand, you can enrol in a TEFL course.
When it comes to TEFL courses, there are many options available. How do you choose the right one for you? Here are some tips to help you out.
Complete Package
If you register with one of the courses that provide TEFL certification in Bangkok, not only do you receive the tuition, they also guarantee you a job in a Thai school, with a minimum salary of 30,000 Baht. It is one thing to pass the course and finding a job in a Thai school can be more than a little challenging, when you do your TEFL with a leading academy, they guarantee you work.
Onsite Training
While it is possible to do the TEFL course online, we recommend planning your trip to Thailand to include the TEFL course. Study with professionals in a small group where you get one on one attention, and you will enjoy your stay in Chiang Mai.
4 Weeks Intensive Classroom Training
This is the gold standard for the TEFL, with accredited trainers who know their stuff and after 4 short weeks, you are ready to start classroom teaching, after undergoing at least 6 hours of teaching observation.
Work Experience TEFL
Aside from the 4-week onsite course, you can study for 2 weeks, then be placed in a Thai school for one semester. Those who are keen to get started and are confident in their abilities choose this option, as it gets you up and running quickly. You can register for this course twice in the year, March and October and a Google search will help you locate an accredited TEFL school in Chiang Mai, where they have nice accommodation and great facilities.
Globally Recognised
The TEFL qualification is recognised around the world, so you can fund your travel projects with teaching; for the little it costs, the TEFL certificate is fantastic value for money, giving you skills that stay with you for the rest of your life. You can book everything online and when you arrive at Chiang Mai Airport, the school will collect you and take you to your accommodation and after a short rest, the TEFL course begins.
The Importance Of Accreditation
The Thai Ministry of Education will not permit unqualified people to become teachers and your TEFL Certificate must be issued by a school that is government-approved. It is easy enough to check that the academy is in fact, an approved TEFL institution.
Get Ready For A Real Adventure
Once you register for an up-and-coming TEFL course and your flights are booked, you can read up about Thailand and its amazing culture and prepare for your tropical adventure in South East Asia. There is lots of information online and don’t forget to check entry requirements into Thailand, to make sure you are good to go.
