I did my CELTA in Phuket 3 years ago, and I echo your sentiments. It was 4 weeks of pure stress, but fortunately, 7 of the 8 people in my class were good as gold and we really supported each other throughout. By the end it was a lot of high-fives and everyone passed. Only 4 of us are still teaching, but we all gained a lot of respect for each other during our 28 days of ‘bliss’.
Having traveled extensively in Thailand twice and going back later this year to achieve my CELTA qualification, the question of sustainable life (ie normal group of friends…) I felt was a hurdle to my happiness in Thailand. Anyone can play the role of prolonged tourist and bounce from one bar to the next. Glad to see you shed some light on this subject. Well written article.
How is it now that you are in Bangkok?
Most people think it’s going to be easy and it isn’t. I took my TEFLin Phuket and found it difficult. But I kept on and qualified and then you realise that there are choices to be made. With your ‘skinny jean swagger’ government schooling might be a little bit strict for your liking. Many of us forget school is a method of social control and in other countries more is put on control than education. I myself enjoy working in three private language schools and do a little freelance writing.
You’ll have already done some teaching and understand the importance of grammar and activities.Sometimes the students in Thailand want to learn English without speaking and much of the actual job is getting around this common problem and building their confidence to actually talk. Best of luck to you.
By Tony Morewood, Bangkok on 2012-01-22