October 2010

ECC's next 'Introduction to TESOL' course will be held on 8th November at ECC Carrefour Lardprao. The course runs for two weeks (09:00-16:30) and is recognised by the Thai ministry of education. There are still places available on the course so download the application pack here if you are interested in taking the course

In addition, ECC will be running their popular 'Teaching English to Young Learners' course at the same location from 22nd - 26th November. The course runs for 5 mornings - 09:00 - 12:30. Application packs can be downloaded here  For more information about EEC's schedule for 2011, visit the website

International House Bangkok will be running their CELTA course on a convenient part-time basis starting on Monday 24th January. This is a good option for those who are just too busy to take the regular four-week intensive program. You should also note that the course content is exactly the same for the part-time program as it is for the full-time one. If you can spare five Saturdays and Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings over a ten-week period, then this could be the course for you. More info on the IH website or you can e-mail them directly.

Chiang Mai has been voted the second best city in the world by the readers of Travel and Leisure magazine (run by American Express) so it's obviously not a bad place to do a TEFL course. Apart from their regular TEFL course offering, SEE TEFL has a one-day cultural awareness program to smooth the transition of moving to Thailand. You can get a taste of it on this YouTube video

Gateway TEFL Teacher Training Centre is running a full TEFL certificate programme set up in response to enquiries for training that prepares teachers to provide a more academic style of English, often for TOEFL and IELTS preparation courses. The 120-hour course includes all the fundamentals of teaching with modules in TOEFL and IELTS preparation and a micro-MBA in Educational Management to offer new teachers a wider perspective on the industry. Those teachers with an interest in making EFL a profession and also reaping the rewards that are available in the exams prep ‘niche' market should find this course worthwhile

Island Tefl will shortly be adding four new TEFL Training Centers in Thailand. Island TEFL Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani and Khon Kaen. This month saw the opening of Island TEFL in Bali. In the coming months they will be entering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, and China. And soon also to be in Cyprus, Malta and Spain. If you would like to open your own Island TEFL franchise then they would like to hear from you.

Island TEFL are also launching a 30 hour course - "Drama as a Tool for teaching English as a foreign language. This course is open to anybody. You can go to the "Supplemental Courses" page on their website to see video clips of how you can incorporate this into your teaching and hopefully make your classes more fun and effective. Alternatively you can visit the TEFL Drama website. The first course will be held in Phuket in November. The normal cost of the program is 30,000 baht but as a special offer, ajarn.com readers can get on the first course for just 15,000.

If you are looking to do a TEFL course in 2011 and you are of a more adventurous nature, Island TEFL has teamed up with Asian Gap Year to provide a unique sailing, educational and volunteering experience. Believe it or not, you catually do part of your TEFl course while sailing around the islands of the Andaman sea. All the details are on the Asian Gap Year website.

Specially for Ajarn.com readers, Island TEFL are offering the following promotions. 25 % off TEFL training Programs in Phuket and Krabi, for the month of November. 25% off the TEFL training Programs in Koh Phangan for the rest of the year and 25% off the December 6th-31st TEFL training course in koh Samui.
Please contact Philip Dunne or call him on 0847554968 for more information. Or visit the Island TEFL website.

SIT  provides comprehensive personal support for trainees looking to learn about their TEFL course and get settled in Bangkok or Chiang Mai. This includes their free Survival Guides and Accommodation Guides, and unlimited personal support from the trainers themselves. As always, all SIT courses will run with a minimum of one full-time trainer for every four trainees accepted on to the course. The SIT Program has also been busy forging contacts with employers around the country and they are now able to assist graduates in finding teaching positions throughout the Kingdom.
For more information go to the SIT website or contact Steve: 081 646 8410. From abroad: +6681 646 8410

Steve, from the popular Chichester College TESOL Course in Bangkok, has written an excellent blog entry entitled, "How much Thai do I need to be able to speak?". This is the question on everyones lips when they first consider teaching English in Thailand and Steve's ever-friendly writing tone makes this piece a pleasure to read.

The Special Thai Project of American TESOL Institute has now been running for two years. Within this two-year time, ATI has trained approximately 400 students in four semesters. As part of the program. you will get a chance to work four to five months in Thailand. The Special Thai Program of American TESOL Institute takes place in three locations, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Bangkok. To know more about new offer and program details visit their website