2013 A New Beginning

2013 A NEW BEGINNING?

(For TEFL graduates, the answer is YES!)

Paradise TEFL is proud of its graduates and students who volunteered to study with us in 2012. Thanks to all who participated and assisted in making this one of our most successful years to date.

 

2012 Milestones included:

·         Our new well equip and centrally located air-conditioned classroom in downtownChiang Mai.

 

·         Our first program offered in America in Portland Oregon in July, 2012 (This program is

            filling up fast full for 2013!)

 

·         Graduates accepting positions in Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, China and the USA.

 

·         The commencement of our new location in the beautiful beach and limestone cliffs of

            Krabi, Thailand.

 

·         The ability for students without BA diplomas to obtain a Life Experience BA in English

(for an additional fee) once the Basic TEFL Certification has been awarded; crucial in many countries for obtaining a work permit, B Visa and job offer.

Why not tell a friend?

 

 

Whatever plan of action an unemployed educator decides to take, in general, the more advanced certifications a TEFL or TESOL Teacher holds, the more opportunity they possess in terms of their marketability and increased number of employment options.

 

 

 

For a limited time, Paradise TEFL Certification Program offers these advanced certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TEYL at the SAME PRICE as the basic TEFL/TESOL certification!

 

 

The advanced course provides additional English Language teaching certifications and is offered in tandem with our site courses in Chiang Mai and Krabi Thailand as well as Cancun Mexico  and our special summer program in Portland Oregon, or as a complete series of online modules some with a virtual practice teaching option. In order to become a TEFL Trainer, you should have already completed a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA course first in order to be eligible and teaching experience is necessary. (Our Basic TEFL on-site program provides 2 to 3 weeks of hands on observed teaching practice to help our teachers to effectively develop their skills).

 

 

 

 

 

All courses are accredited and you will receive a certificate of completion, which is internationally recognized and accepted when you graduate from the course. Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively.

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. Improve your chances of getting a good job with a higher level of pay by enrolling today!

 

TIME IS TICKING BY WHY NOT GET MOVING FORWARD BEFORE THE FUTURE PASSES YOU BY?

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Going, Going... Gong

2012 Fees (Going, Going… Gong!)

Paradise TEFL Chiang Mai is one of the most affordable accredited hands on TEFL/TESOL training programs in existence today. We offer instructors with a minimum of a master’s degree and years of teaching experience in a variety of settings, from high profile international schools to small rural villages in temples and traditional classrooms throughout Chiang Mai and the United States.

In addition our method of instruction is one of a hands on practical approach as we offer two to three weeks of hands on observed teaching practice as a part of our 30 day Basic TEFL Certification.

The end of 2012 will mark our first course fee increase in eight years from 20,000 to 25,000 baht. This is a modest increase of about $160 usd which will take place effective at midnight on December 31^st, 2012. The reason for the increase is due to the rising cost of living and related administrative fees in the area as prices for rent, minimum wage and consumables rise with the influx of the ASEAN Union and as more and more Thai Nationals continue to seek a higher standard of living that can be found in and around Chiang Mai province and the South East Asian region in general.

The good news is you can still attend the 2013 courses at the old 2012 price as long as you register and pay your deposit before the final countdown of New Years 2012. At this time all

 Paradise TEFL Certification Programs offer up to eight advanced certifications (such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TEYL) at the SAME PRICE as our basic TEFL/TESOL certification!

Whatever methods or plans of action educator decides to take, in general, the more advanced certifications a TEFL or TESOL Teacher holds, the more opportunity they possess in terms of their marketability and increased number of employment options.

The advanced course provides additional English Language teaching certifications and is offered in tandem with our site courses in and Chiang Mai Thailand, and Mexico as well as a special summer course in Portland, Oregon or as a complete series of online modules some with a virtual practice teaching option. In order to become a TEFL Trainer, you should have already completed a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA course first in order to be eligible and teaching experience is necessary. (Our Basic TEFL on-site program provides 2 to 3 weeks of hands on observed teaching practice to help our teachers to effectively develop their skills).

All courses are fully accredited and you will receive a certificate of completion, which is internationally recognized and accepted when you graduate from the course. Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively.

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. Improve your chances of getting a good job with a higher level of pay by enrolling today!

 

 

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

See the full gallery on Posterous

EFL Teaching Gaps in Thailand

EFL TEACHING GAPS IN THAILAND

(Written by teacher PJ and originally posted on Ajarn.com July 24th 2012. Edited and reposted by TEFLChiangmai.com)

As I go through a typical day, one nagging question keeps popping up in the back of my head; Why can't Thai people speak English?

Well that's a dumb question, right? I can already hear some of the answers now. "They're Thai. They speak Thai. We're in Thailand. Duh" Alright let me rephrase the question then. Considering that English has been the international language of tourism and commerce for I don't know how many decades now, and there are I don't know how many thousands of English teachers all over the country, why is the general level of English so poor? Why can't even young, supposedly educated college students speak English? Why can't the Pratom (primary) teachers at my school, who are supposed to teach every subject, including English, speak English? Ok two of them can, but most can't, so we have a situation here where Thai English teachers can't speak English.

The odd thing about it is that they are required to be in my class to help control the students and presumably to learn English as well, which I am thankful for. But when the class is going smoothly and I don't really need any help, the Thai teacher often tunes out my lesson, opting instead to open up his or her laptop and squeeze in a couple games of solitare or log in to Facebook or whatever it is they do. Not only does this give students the message that it's acceptable to ignore my lesson, but aren't the Thai teachers shooting themselves in the foot when they waste a great opportunity to learn English from a native speaker along with their students???!!!

Recently the director of my school called a meeting with all the foreign teachers. The director (who doesn't speak English) was ranting and raving (in PasaThai) about how Thailand is trying to catch up to ASEAN standards of English proficiency. He instructed all the Thai teachers that they need to use and teach English vocabulary words in all the subjects. At this point I must borrow the phrase I have seen in other articles on this site and say that it would be comical if it weren't so tragic.

I'm really not trying to put down my school, the teachers, or Thai people in general. Some of the teachers at my school have been teaching for over 30 years, which means they began their careers before I was born. I realize that learning English is very difficult and takes a great deal of effort. In some ways it may be "too late" for some of the older teachers and older Thai people in general. But like I said, most high school and college students don't even speak English.

Let's look at some of the numbers for a typical 16 year old high school student. Let's say that "Ploy" is a 16-year old girl who goes to ABC Government School in XYZ city. She started English classes about 10 years ago in Pratom 1. For the past 10 years she has been going to English class twice a week for 50 to 60 minutes each class. She also has English based instrucition in class twice a week with her Thai teachers, as her math and science classes are taught by Filipino teachers with English being the language of instruction.

Doing the math on that gives you the following stats - Ploy has had about 700 hours of dedicated English conversation class over the past 10 years. She's had another 700 hours of English grammar taught by the Thai teacher, and another 700 hours of science and math classes taught by Filipino teachers. So over the last decade, Ploy has had a grand total of 2100 hours of classes where English has either been taught directly or at least used as the main language of instruction.

So of course Ploy can speak English, right? Maybe, maybe not. If Ploy is a good student, and she puts in the effort to learn, and she has had even halfway decent teachers, she probably can speak English. But if she doesn't see the need to learn, isn't motivated, and she has had mediocre teachers, she has probably been tuning out of English class for the past ten years the same way her Pratom homeroom teachers have been doing for the past thirty.

So how can we fix this problem? Get them some Native English speakers (or teachers fluent to a native ability level) who care enough to make it understandable and have decent training  to work with! I don't have all the answers, but as ASEAN becomes stronger and more unified, and as the world in general becomes more of a tight-knit community Thailand will soon see they are lagging far behind other countries where many if not most of the citizens actually speak their second language.

Whatever methods or plans of action educator decides to take, in general, the more 

advanced certifications a TEFL or TESOL Teacher holds, the more opportunity they possess in terms of their skill level, marketability and increased number of employment options.

For a limited time, Paradise TEFL Certification Program offers these advanced certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TEYL at the SAME PRICE as the basic TEFL/TESOL certification!

The advanced course provides additional English Language teaching certifications and is offered in tandem with our site courses in and Chiang Mai Thailand, and Mexico as well as a special summer course in Portland, Oregon or as a complete series of online modules some with a virtual practice teaching option. In order to become a TEFL Trainer, you should have already completed a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA course first in order to be eligible and teaching experience is necessary. (Our Basic TEFL on-site program provides 2 to 3 weeks of hands on observed teaching practice to help our teachers to effectively develop their skills).

All courses are fully accredited and you will receive a certificate of completion, which is internationally recognized and accepted when you graduate from the course. Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively.

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. Improve your chances of getting a good job with a higher level of pay by enrolling today!

 

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

You're Never Too Old to Learn

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN-

HOW TO TEACH ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TEFL)

 

Many of those who attend TEFL teacher training programs, both overseas and domestically, are recent college graduates who are eager to gain a bigger perspective of the world before the settle into a long term career path, who hope to travel and to still be able to earn some money in the process.

 

At the same time, many men and women who are "working veterans" in a field or who have held a specific position for a number of years and are looking to change occupations (due to aging bodies, limited upward mobility or just want a change of pace) are considering teaching English as a new career. Similarly, those who have had diverse work experience also often enroll in TEFL certification as a way to break up their employment routine and to gain access to a more affordable and often more sustainable as well as interesting lifestyle. 

Why not give teaching TEFL a try? At Paradise TEFL we focus on providing our soon to be teachers with small class sizes, plenty of hands on teaching opportunity to practice teach, and gear our coursework toward a truly practical approach, unlike some of the bigger more expensive courses which claim they are more professional and their certificates are more desirable. But in reality, employers are looking for someone who can perform well, not spout off educational theory.

 

Whatever methods or plans of action educator decides to take, in general, the more advanced certifications a TEFL or TESOL Teacher holds, the more opportunity they possess in terms of their marketability and increased number of employment options.

For a limited time, Paradise TEFL Certification Program offers these advanced certifications such as TOEFL, IELTS, and TEYL at the SAME PRICE as the basic TEFL/TESOL certification!

Furthermore, our rates are extremely low because we are individually franchised and we don’t have the huge administrative costs of some of the institutional programs linked with some quasi-prestigious universities as part of their marketing persona. Just real certifcates for real employment recognized the world over.

The advanced course provides additional English Language teaching certifications and is offered in tandem with our site courses in and Chiang Mai Thailand, and Mexico as well as a special summer course in Portland, Oregon or as a complete series of online modules some with a virtual practice teaching option. In order to become a TEFL Trainer, you should have already completed a TEFL, TESOL or CELTA course first in order to be eligible and teaching experience is necessary. (Our Basic TEFL on-site program provides 2 to 3 weeks of hands on observed teaching practice to help our teachers to effectively develop their skills).

All courses are fully accredited and you will receive a certificate of completion, which is internationally recognized and accepted when you graduate from the course. Many of those who already have experience as TEFL instructors are finding that becoming a certified TEFL trainer is another opportunity and feather in their cap in terms of meeting the demand of TEFL instructors (who are leaving their home countries and working abroad) by teaching others how to teach TEFL effectively.

Graduates with these additional certifications have the advantage of substantially increasing their marketability and employment status. Improve your chances of getting a good job with a higher level of pay by enrolling today!

 

  

 

Income Information and Bennefit Stats Teaching English in Asia Part 3

Income Information & Benefit Statistics for Teaching English in Asia (Cambodia, China, HK, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam & More)   English Teaching in Singapore Teaching English Jobs English teachers in Singapore can expect to find jobs throughout the year, as this is a wealthy nation with a high need for qualified native English speaking teachers. Interviews here are conducted well in advance, both over the phone and via e-mail. Instructors are responsible for airfare and housing expenses. Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many room with coworkers. A solid hourly wage affords English teachers a comfortable lifestyle, with the possibility to save up to 500 USD per month above the cost of living. English language schools in Singapore typically offer around 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving plenty of time for you to take advantage of your location and explore. English teachers need to have a bachelor’s degree to teach in Singapore, and TEFL certification is required. Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, (85 mi) north of the equator, in Southeast Asia. It is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to its south. Singapore is the world's fourth leading financial center and a cosmopolitan world city, playing a key role in international trade and finance. The port of Singapore is one of the five busiest ports in the world. Singapore has a long history of immigration. It has a diverse population of close to 5 million, comprised of Chinese, Malays, Indians, Asians of various descents, and Caucasians. 42% of the population in Singapore are foreigners who work and study there. Foreign workers make up 50% of the service sector. The country is the second most densely populated in the world after Monaco. A.T. Kearney named Singapore the most globalised country in the world in 2006 in its Globalization Index.   English Teaching Requirements in Singapore Education: BA/BS is required; TEFL TESOL Certification is required and students can obtain certification in any of our Paradise TEFL 4 Week or 2 Week Intensive course, or the Paradise Online course. Citizenship Requirements:  USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Typical hiring process: via phone in advance Average teaching hours per week: 20–25 hours of classroom plus extra prep time Type of students: Business professionals, children in public schools and private language schools Cost of living per month: 2,100–2,500 USD; 3,000–3,500 SGD Average monthly pay: 2,400–3,000 USD; 3,300–4,200 SGD   Start-up cost: 2,100–2,500 USD Potential to save or break even: Save 300 - 500 USD/month  Accommodation/housing benefits paid: no, employer will assist to find Vacation: Paid 2 weeks Flight reimbursement: No  Interesting Facts About Life in Singapore Singapore is the world’s fourth wealthiest country per capita. Singapore consists of 63 islands. Singapore boasts a very high literacy rate: according to the 2000 census, 92.5% of the country's population could read. English is 1 of 4 national languages recognized by the Singapore government; the others are Chinese (Mandarin), Tamil, and Malay. Living in Singapore Teaching English... Having risen from a backwater fishing village to become a prosperous, modern city in little more than a century, Singapore represents one of the greatest national transformations of all times. While the glossy shopping malls and towering office buildings are impressive, the defining characteristic of Singapore is its strikingly cosmopolitain culture. A true melting pot, Singapore is both financially and culturally rich. The city is home to Chinese, Malays, Indians, and Europeans, along with their languages and religions, with more than 40% of its residents holding passports from other countries. Dining on national specialties like chili crab, Hainanese chicken, and fish-head curry is considered by many to be Singapore’s national pastime, so make sure to bring your appetite as you journey to one of the most captivating countries in the world. Teaching English in Korea Teaching English in Korea The South Korean English teaching market is currently one of the largest and strongest in the world. ESL instructors can find teaching opportunities here year round, interviews are conducted in advance over the phone and via e-mail. In most cases, airfare is reimbursed, and South Korean schools typically provide free housing. A typical contract offers a free return flight and 1 month salary bonus (around $ 2,000 USD after 12 months.) A generous salary of $ 1,800 - 2,200 a month (depending on exchange rates) with only 5% taxes, enables English teachers in Korea to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, as well as an opportunity to save up to $ 1,000 USD per month after expenses. Language schools in Korea typically require 25 to 30 hours of  teaching per week plus prep time, leaving plenty of time to travel and explore. English teachers in Korea also receive 10-20 days of paid vacation per year in addition to 15-18 national holidays.  English teachers must have a bachelor’s degree to teach English in South Korea, and TEFL TESOL certification is required. Major cities for English teaching jobs include Seoul, Busan, Incheon, Ulsan, Gwangju, Daejeon, and Daegu.  There are over 10 cities with a million people.  Seoul is one of the largest and most cosmopolitan cities in the world with approximately 25 million people and over 1,000 English language schools.  There are an estimated 25,000 English teachers in South Korea working each year and demand shows no signs of slowing.  An estimated 2,000 - 3,000 new jobs are available each month due to Korea's national stress on education for children and adults. South Korea boasts one of the top ranked educational systems in the world.  The country's massive educational investments have paid off as this relatively small nation has risen from the ranks of the Third World to become one of the largest and most technologically advanced economies in the world in just a matter of two generations. Article: Top 10 Reasons to Teach English in Seoul, South Korea  CNN News Article: 50 reasons Why Seoul is the World's Greatest City   Requirements to teach English in Korea Education: BA/BS is required; TEFL TESOL Certification is required and students can obtain certification in any of our Paradise TEFL 4 week certification, 2 Week Intensive or by taking the Online TEFL Class.  Citizenship Requirements:  USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Austalia, New Zealand, South Africa, South Korean Peak hiring months: year-round Types of jobs: English language schools, children and adults.  Public school children. Typical hiring process: phone/e-mail in advance Average teaching hours per week: 25–30 hours of classroom plus extra prep time Types of students: business professionals, children Cost of living per month: 700–1,000 USD plus housing; 800,000–1.2 million KRW Average monthly pay: 1,600–2,000 USD plus housing; 1.8–2.4 million KRW Start-up cost: 700–1,000 USD Potential to save:  can save up to 1,000 USD/month Accommodation/housing benefits paid: yes, paid or subsidized.  Typically 1 month bonus pay at end of 12 month contract Medical Insurance - co pay, national health insurance Vacation - paid 2 weeks & sick days Flight reimbursement: yes - departing, paid in advance for return flight at end of 12 month contract. Interesting Facts About Life in South Korea South Korea—along with Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tawain—is one of the Four Asia Tigers, known for their rapid economic growth over the past three decades. South Korea was the first country in the world to introduce high-speed fiber-optic broadband internet into every primary and secondary school. The martial art of Tae Kwon Do originated in South Korea. Baseball was introduced to South Korea more than 100 years ago, it has since become the country’s most popular sport.  Teaching English in Korea... Having recently surpassed Japan as the most technologically advanced country in the world, South Korea manages to lead the race toward the future while keeping a firm grasp on its storied past. While in South Korea, take in its amazing cuisine, including the country’s world-famous barbecue, gogi gui, and kimchi, a spicy, cabbage dish that some consider one of the healthiest foods in the world. Other attractions include Korea’s extensive coastline and the historic and cultural treasures of cities such as Busan and Seoul. If you like getting dirty, take part in the Boryeong Mud Festival, which attracts more than 2 million visitors per year. English Teaching in Taiwan Teaching English Jobs Asia's English teaching market is one of the largest in the world, and Taiwan is one of the oldest and most established markets among Asian nations. English teachers in Taiwan can expect to find jobs available year round. Interviews are conducted well in advance, both over the phone and via e-mail. Instructors are responsible for airfare and housing expenses. Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many room with coworkers.  Teaching positions are with either children or adults, though the market for teaching children is particularly outstanding. A generous salary affords English teachers a comfortable lifestyle, with the possibility to save up to 600 USD per month. Schools typically offer 20 to 25 hours of work per week, leaving teachers plenty of time to travel and explore while they are employed. English teachers need an AA or bachelor’s degree to teach in Taiwan, and TEFL certification is required. Most English teaching jobs are found in the major cities of Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Taoyuan, and Tainan.   English Teaching Requirements in Taiwan Education: AA  BA/BS is required; TEFL TESOL Certification is required and students can obtain certification in any of our Paradise TEFL 4 Week Certification, 2 Week Intensive  or by taking the Online TEFL Class.  Citizenship Requirements:  USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa. Typical hiring process: phone/e-mail in advance Average teaching hours per week: 20–25 hours of classroom plus extra prep time Types of students: business professionals, children in public schools and private language schools Cost of living per month: 1,000–1,400 USD; 32,000–46,000 TWD Average monthly pay:  1,400–2,100 USD; 46,000–68,000 TWD Start-up cost: 1,000–1,400 USD Potential to save or break even: save 500-600 USD/month Accommodation/housing benefits paid: no, will assist in finding housing Medical Insurance - co pay, national health insurance Vacation - paid 2 weeks & sick days Flight reimbursement: Sometimes. Interesting Facts About Life in Taiwan Taiwan is also known as Formosa, which comes from the Portuguese for “beautiful island.” Because the shape of Taiwan resembles a sweet potato, many Taiwanese refer to themselves as “children of the sweet potato.” Baseball is Taiwan’s national sport. The rapid economic and industrial growth that occured during the late 20th century is known as the "Taiwan Miracle." A number of internationally-popular technologies are based out of Taiwan, Garmin, Giant Bicycles, Acer, and HTC for example. Living in Taiwan Teaching English... Found off the southeast coast of mainland China, Taiwan is the perfect destination for those seeking remote island beauty mixed with a taste of modern Asia. Known for its ancient temples as well as it's cutting edge technology, Taiwan is quickly becoming the hotspot of East Asia. Teaching English in Thailand Teaching English Jobs English teachers can find jobs year round in Thailand, as it is an enormous and still growing market for English instruction.  Jobs are found primarily in private language schools for both children and adults. Within recent years, however, the demand in Thailand's public school system for trained English language teachers has expanded considerably.  While most interviews are done in person, some are completed in advance over the phone and via e-mail. English instructors in Thailand are responsible for airfare and housing expenses. Most teachers live in apartments recently vacated by previous teachers, and many room with coworkers.  Contracts typically last 12 months with jobs available to teach business professionals as well as children. A generous salary affords English teachers the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle, while saving 250–300 USD per month. The Thai Baht is valued at about one third of the US Dollar- foreigners have considerable purchasing power while in the country.  English language schools in Thailand offer approximately 20 to 25 hours of work per week, allowing for plenty of time to travel and explore. English teachers do not need to have a bachelor’s degree to teach in Thailand, although it is preferred. TEFL certification is required. The major cities for English teaching jobs are Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and Phuket. Requirements to Teach English in Thailand Education: BA/BS is prefered but not required; TEFL TESOL Certification is required and students can obtain certification in our  any of our TEFLChiang Mai Course or by taking the TEFL Online Class. Citizenship Requirements:  USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Austal