DOUBLE DIP RECESSION

DOUBLE DIP RECESSION (OR LONG TERM DEPRESSION?)

(Figures from ABC News)

Early in the day, the Dow was down more than 500 points. U.S. stock markets started a sell-off Wednesday after the Fed announced its latest effort to boost the economy but added that there are "significant downside risks" to the global economy.

Global stock markets followed the negative trend reflected on the U.S. markets.

Today was the biggest one-day point and percentage drop on the Dow since Aug. 10. It was also the biggest two-day point drop on the Dow since November 2008, when the economy was in the depths of the recession.

Today's drop erased a year of progress on the Dow. It closed at 10,739 on Sept. 22, 2010, just slightly higher than today.

WHY STICK AROUND WAITING FOR THE OTHER SHOE TO DROP? (Worst Week on Wall St. Since Oct 08)

Investors are clearly panicking about the threat of another recession in the U.S. and Europe. 

Utilities Safe Haven in Down MarketWatch Video

Markets Plunging After Fed ActionWatch Video

European leaders cannot seem to come up with a bold consensus to deal with the crisis in their economies, while there was yet another example of the bickering in Washington as GOP leaders failed to pass a stop-gap funding bill in Congress.

"There is a lot of bad news out there about the global economy and also a worry that no one is going to do much about it," said Hugh Johnson, chairman of Hugh Johnson Advisors. "It was a dark day on Wall Street."

Stephen J. Carl, principal and head equity trader with The Williams Capital Group, said that the markets continued to "snowball" after the Federal Reserve's cautious economic outlook on Wednesday, followed by a jobless claims report this morning. On Wednesday evening, the Dow Jones industrial average closed down 284 points at 11,125.

NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS-TIME TO BEGIN CONSIDERING A GLOBAL JOB FOR TOMORROW?

 

Why stay stuck in a rut? Think about the future and offering your kids the opportunity to experience living in another culture while you maintain a steady job. Jobs in China and SE Asia are routinely available for certified native English speaking TEFL/TESOL instructors. Regardless of what you may have heard Native English Speakers including people of all races, religions and backgrounds can and do find work in places the world over.

With Americans facing severe pressure from joblessness, falling home prices and stagnant incomes, it's unlikely this latest market tumult will do much damage to already fragile consumers. Still, it's yet another brick in the wall of cynicism and skepticism that's been built around the recovery generally, and the stock market specifically.

 

Sum of All Fears: Stocks, Commodities Tumble Over Risk of Recession, European Implosion

Depending on your perspective, the day's action could be attributable to a variety of factors, including:

Disappointment in Bernanke: "Today's market reaction is like a child throwing a tantrum after not getting what it wanted from daddy," gold trader Hal Paxton quipped via Twitter. The Fed's plan to spend $400 billion on 'Operation Twist' and a separate pledge to being buying mortgage-backed securities apparently left some traders wanting more — of what I have no idea. (See: Fed Action Fails To Boost Animal Spirits: "Marginally Helpful," Says Former Fed Governor)

Risks of a Global Recession: Weak purchasing managing index reports out of China and Europe, along with another disappointing U.S. jobless claims report, reinforced concerns about the global economy. "A recession is at this point unavoidable," writes NYU Professor Nouriel Roubini. "Only issue now: Will it be a mild G7 recession or a severe recession plus global financial crisis as bad or even worse than the 2008-09 one?"

 

With the stronger dollar overseas now is the perfect time to invest in something that has the greatest rate of return. YOURSELF!

 

We at Paradise TEFL hold  a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL English Language Certification  program (recognized for our high number of fully employed graduates) not only strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. 

If you have a family and are presented with a job offer, and have obtained a work permit for an English language or international school, many schools will assist you and your family members with acquiring international visas. We have expertise in helping our students in finding a job in a country or school that works best for their individual (and family) needs. 

Graduates with advanced 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!

Social Networking Your Way (into a TEFL Certification Program or English Language Teaching Position)

Social Networking Your Way

 (Into a TEFL Certification Program or English Language Teaching Position)

If you are thinking of studying or teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language, it is important that you are able to feel confident before embarking upon a journey to a distant land in order to live and work. First and foremost, always feel free to ask your friends, family or personal contacts who may have some experience with the topic about their opinions and understandings of the programs out there. But perhaps more importantly conduct your own independent research.

 With all the increase in social media these days, it is helpful to be able to discuss the ins and outs of the business with other like minded individuals to see about which places, courses, and fees will work best with your personal situation and needs. In addition to program details, reviews and informational web pages, testimonials are another way of gaining insight about the rewards and potential pitfalls of any TEFL/TESOL program from the perspective of the student. However to get a more accurate picture of the potential program you are considering attending, why not try out the forum pages, or social networking sites that are out there which have strands or topics posted of relevance to your interests.

There is a new social network for all ESL/EFL teachers and professionals. Originally called “My TESL” and recently renamed “TEFL World Wiki Forum” which is outstanding and is the first dedicated social networking website for teachers of English as a second or foreign language. 

It allows you to connect and expand your TEFL/TESL network, view profiles and add new friends, share you photos and videos, create your own group or join others, keep your blog, discuss your ideas on the forums, keep up with relevant TESL events, and plenty more

Also many sponsored TEFL job posting sites like “Dave’s ESL Café,” “ Ajarn.Com,” and “TEFL.Net” offer forums so that you can glean important information from those who have been there and are doing or have done it already. Likewise, “Linguistic Funland” offers a plethora of information submitted by graduates and administrators who respond to the questions of potential students interested in enrolling in a TEFL course of study. Here you will find dozens of Professional Organizations for Teachers of English.

The point here is to consider all the resources available and to conduct a thorough examination of the factors that will affect your desired outcome the most.

We at Paradise TEFL English Language Certification (a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL program) strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. As previous blog articles have stated, the hardest part of getting an ESL teaching job is getting to the place where you plan to teach and obtaining the certifications that you need. 

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. 

Whatever plan of action an unemployed educator decides to take, in general, the more accredited certifications flexibility toward global relocation and related experience one maintains, the easier it becomes to find work.

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!

 

Living in Chiang Mai (Lanna and International Culture)

WONDERING ABOUT LIVING IN CHIANG MAI THAILAND?

If the idea of living, studying and working overseas in Thailand is a bit daunting to you then perhaps you need to take a look at some online videos to get a better sense of what the “Rose of the North” has to offer locals and visitors alike. “Chiang City Life” is perhaps the town’s most famous publication. It is not a newspaper (most ex-patriot here tend to read big city papers like the Bangkok Post) rather it is a weekly publication filled with the features about activities, events, business ventures and cultural activities of which there are many in what has become Thailand’s second biggest city and artistic epicenter.

In addition to the normal list of places to go and things to see, Chiang Mai is perhaps the best place to participate in the great spectator sport of people watching. Most people think that Thailand is a single homogeneous place but in fact it is not. Chiang Mai is an internationally diverse and multicultural environment. You have the center of Lanna (Northern Thai) culture here with it's own unique food, art, language etc as well as the influence of many hill tribes each with their own language, regalia and beliefs. There is of course the increasing numbers of ex-patriot so called "Falang" foreingers or "Westerners" (as well as those from China, Korea, and Japan, as well as influences from other parts of Thailand such as Isan (North-Eastern Thailand) and Central Bangkok. There are scores of bars, café, and to enjoy a laid back pace while still providing visitors with a long litany of urban activities should you desire a truly cosmopolitan or relaxing natural rural experience. 

 

LIVING IN CHIANG MAI EXPATS DISCUSSION

CHIANG MAI SKYLINE- ONE OF MANY VISTAS

TRAVELING AROUND THE OLD CITY OF CHIANG MAI BY TUK TUK

SUNDAY WALKING STREET MARKET

EATING IN CHIANG MAI ON THE CHEAP (How far will 100 Baht take you?)

CHIANG MAI MONKEY SCHOOL

Why not come and visit and study to become a TEFL teacher while you are here? You just might find you don't want to leave and with a certification as an English Language teacher perhaps you won't have to go.

At Paradise TEFL we focus on utilizing a "Practical Approach" in terms of teaching our students how to teach successfully and use fun activities to motivate and educate their students. We offer courses both on site here in Chiang Mai, and on line as well as virtual classes through Google Plus (in a fashion similar to Skype)

 

We at Paradise TEFL English Language Certification (a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL program) strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. As previous blog articles have stated, the hardest part of getting an ESL teaching job is getting to the place where you plan to teach and obtaining the certifications that you need. 

 

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. 

 

Whatever plan of action an unemployed educator decides to take, in general, the more accredited certifications flexibility toward global relocation and related experience one maintains, the easier it becomes to find work.

 

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!

WALKING TEACHING’S NOBLE PATH

WALKING TEACHING’S NOBLE PATH

(We All Need Money, but what are the Other Rewards of teaching abroad?)

Currently many native English Speakers are weighing the benefits and costs of teaching and living abroad. Certainly with the economic concerns in North America, Europe and Australia many people have begun considering careers outside of their native counties as a means of obtaining a higher quality of life and upward financial mobility. At Paradise TEFL we have seen a dramatic increase in the amount of web traffic we are now receiving from these regions.

One of the unique services Paradise TEFL provides is job placement assistance. We work with you to create options and employment opportunities during the practice teaching weeks to help our graduates to find a meaningful and sustainable career. This is vastly different from many other certification programs in that the focus of the program at Paradise TEFL not only provides you with the academic information and preparation to be a great teacher, but also includes a significant amount of study and focus on resume/CV creation, interviewing and job placement and support. Many other programs take your money, teach you a bunch of theory then "throw you to the wolves" by suggesting that you begin to look for work by going through a placement agency or going to a variety of expensive job fairs.

 But in addition to the obvious financial rewards there are other benefits that may not be as obvious or straightforward.

Right Livelihood

Many people chose to become educators because of the desire to be a force of positive change and “make a difference” for others the world over. More than ever, English is the language of economic opportunity and social networking. This is certainly also the case for those pursuing a career in teaching English as a second/foreign language. If you examine the basic Buddhist precepts, the idea of “Right Livelihood” is one which both Buddhist monks and Buddhist scholars refer to time and time again as part of the :eight fold noble path." Teaching as a lifestyle has its rewards, including long anticipated holidays, but it is also one means of achieving “Ethical Conduct” among a “noble profession” and serves as a potential or partial means of achieving enlightenment.  

Teaching as a profession is perhaps one of the most conventional ways to obtain this kind of merit. But the profession also takes much mental development which also takes Effort and Concentration, two additional “right” paths for those interested in seeking self-improvement.

 

 

The Noble Eightfold Path

1. Right View		Wisdom
2. Right Intention
3. Right Speech		Ethical Conduct
4. Right Action
5. Right Livelihood
6. Right Effort		Mental Development
7. Right Mindfulness
8. Right Concentration

 

Beyond creating opportunity for exposure and a means to carry out these types of personal attributes, social opportunities and the chance to create new long lasting friendships also abound among your students, colleagues and those who you work with peripherally. Many individuals (and couples alike) who want to travel, gain new skills and build relationships by challenging and rewarding themselves through the process of TEFL Certification and employment serve as living proof that you can create your own cake/oyster and eat it too. 

Jobs are available worldwide. Much of where you will end up has to do with the path which you choose to take you there. Again it's the lack of effort that keeps us from moving forward, in all aspects of life to be sure, but especially in pursuing new paths of employment! 

 

At paradise TEFL we focus on utilizing a "Practical Approach" in terms of teaching our students how to teach successfully and use fun activities to motivate and educate their students. We offer courses both on site here in Chiang Mai, and on line as well as virtual classes through Google Plus (in a fashion similar to Skype)

 

We at TEFL Chiang Mai English Language Certification (a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL program) strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. As previous blog articles have stated, the hardest part of getting an ESL teaching job is getting to the place where you plan to teach and obtaining the certifications that you need. 

 

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. 

 

Whatever plan of action an unemployed educator decides to take, in general, the more accredited certifications flexibility toward global relocation and related experience one maintains, the easier it becomes to find work.

 

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!

TEFL CERTIFICATION DISCOUNT OF 16.5%

TEFL CERTIFICATION DISCOUNT OF 16.5%

(Just in time for the Loy Krathong Holiday Season)

Can’t afford a holiday during these difficult economic times? Need to jumpstart your career in an economy fraught with volatility and expensive overhead? Stop working harder and start working smarter while giving yourself a chance to escape the “Western Rat Race” and paddling as hard as you can just to tread water when you can float along instead?

Paradise TEFL has tried to meet the needs of its students who are living paycheck to paycheck by offering a price reduction from $600 USD to just $500 dollars effective immediately and lasting until the start of the busy tourist season which begins in Thailand in November with the Buddhist Loy Krathong (floating offerings/Sky Lantern) festival which takes place each year on November’s full moon. Why not be an early bird and get certified in time to join the pageantry and fun? Take a look at a slide show of pictures here: http://www.thaiguidetothailand.com/festivals/loy-krathong/

The origin of Loy Krathong is unclear but was possibly a Hindu festival held to give thanks to the river Ganges for the giving of life. Thailand adopted this ceremony to show reverence to the Lord Buddha. Today, the celebrations of Loy Krathong include not just the floating of Krathongs but also the release of Sky Lanterns , Beauty Pageants called “Noppamas Queen Contests”, Firework displays and especially in Chiang Mai, a procession of spectacularly decorated floats.

 Loy means “to float” and a Krathong is a banana leaf cup. The first Loy Krathong festival was held in Sukhothai in the 13th Century but is now celebrated throughout Thailand particularly in Chiang Mai, where the Festival is also known as Yi  Peng,Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Bangkok.

We at Paradise TEFL hold  a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL English Language Certification  program (recognized for our high number of fully employed graduates) not only strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. 

Graduates with advanced 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

ONE IN SIX NOW LIVE IN POVERTY

ONE IN SIX NOW LIVE IN POVERTY IN THE USA

(ONE IN SEVEN AT RISK IN EUROPE)

 

Today's release of US Census figures show that more people in America are living in poverty than any time since figures have been tracked in 1952.

From 2009 to 2010, the nation’s median household income declined, the poverty rate increased and the percentage of persons without health insurance coverage was not statistically different year over year, according to data the U.S. Census Bureau released Tuesday.

Real median household income in the United States in 2010 was $49,445, a 2.3 percent drop from the 2009 median.

The nation’s official poverty rate last year was 15.1 percent, up from 14.3 percent in 2009, registering the third consecutive annual increase in the poverty rate.

Trudi J. Renwick, chief of the Census Bureau’s Poverty Statistics Branch, said poverty rates tend to increase during periods when median household incomes are falling.

The poverty rate among married couples in 2010 was 8.8 percent, while it spiked to 40.7 percent among female heads of household. A new category added by the bureau for 2010 was poverty rate by disability status, which rose by 2.9 percent from 2009 to 2010. “For example, we see that the poverty rate for female-headed households approaches 32 percent, whereas for male heads of household, the number is almost exactly half that rate (15.8 percent). If we look back over the last decade, we see that the rate continues to climb. We know that women overall tend to be poorer than men, and consequently, female-headed households are seriously at risk,” Younger said.

Women’s financial insecurity, as shown by the Census numbers, has many implications, including fewer assets over the lifespan, greater numbers of female elders in poverty, children who are getting a poorer start in life, stress-induced health problems and lower employment levels, Younger said. “This is far from a ‘women’s problem’: these consequences ripple out to affect all of society.” 

FOX NEWS US CENSUS FIGURES

46.2 Million live in poverty now. This figure has gone up for the  3^rd year  straight year by 22,314.

26 % Latino Citizens live in poverty

27% African American Citizens live in poverty

Children living in poverty increased 22%

“Boomerang children” who have had to move back in homes with their parents and families is up 25% just since 2007.

(If they didn’t have parents to fall back on 22% more Americans people would be living in poverty.)

US CITIZENS-TIME TO BEGIN TO CONSIDERING A GLOBAL JOB OF TOMORROW?

Why stay stuck in a rut? Think about the future and offering your kids the opportunity to experience of living in another culture while you maintain a steady job. Jobs in China and SE Asia are routinely available for certified native English speaking TEFL/TESOL instructors. Regardless of what you may have heard Native English Speakers including people of all races, religions and backgrounds who can and do find work in places the world over.

 

We at Paradise TEFL hold  a fully accredited and globally recognized TEFL English Language Certification  program (recognized for our high number of fully employed graduates) not only strive for our students  to learn conversational English with the latest proven strategies and methods, but share up to date pedagogy and strategies as part of our teachers career development through the latest teaching paradigms. 

 

If you have a family and are presented with a job offer, and have obtained a work permit for an English language or international school, many schools will assist you and your family members with acquiring international visas. We have expertise in helping our students in finding a job in a country or school that works best for their individual (and family) needs.

 

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

 

See the full gallery on Posterous

TEFL Buddhist Exchange

TEFL BUDDHIST EXCHANGE PROGRAM DETAILS:

 

The TEFL Buddhist Exchange program is similar to other Paradise TEFL programs in that it offers the same certification and coursework assignments and structure. In addition however, it provides TEFL teachers with the chance to learn and interact with a local rural population and Buddhist monk Pra Da Nai who will facilitate the Buddhist Studies portion of the course. 

 

As part of ParadiseTEFL’s goal to increase cultural and religious sensitivity among our participants, we also offer a TEFL Buddhist Exchange program where future TEFL teachers have the opportunity not only to become certified instructors but to participate as student's of the Buddhist philosophy and tradition with daily monk chats and dharma talks to better understand the religious beliefs which permeates our student's lives through out many parts of South East Asia. 

 

BUDDHIST STUDIES:

Pra Da Nai is the head of his own temple and has a Master’s degree in English from Thai University. He is the head of another wat (temple) near the newly constructed school at Wat Ban Pong. Pra Da Nai welcomes all people who wish to learn more about Buddhism. He has been studying the philosophy for the last thirteen years and continues his own research through a PhD program in Buddhist Studies at Chiang Mai University. He has invited TEFL students to participate in events held in and around the Mae Sai valley such as Dharma Talk “monk chats,” meditation-chanting and musical events.

 

Many monks in the area, and their constituents, frequently travel to other Northern Thailand temples to provide assistance in English language studies, fundraising and relief efforts particularly for low income Thai nationals as well as Burmese Refugees in near the border. Every summer during the Songkran water festival Pra Da Nai runs a 3-4 week “Novice Buddhist Program,” which numerous local Chiang Mai Thai boys and young men are invited to attend as well as visiting men and women from Western English speaking countries.

 

A DAY IN THE LIFE:

A typical day in the village might consist of morning meditation, followed by a leisurely breakfast or lunch and time to explore the delightful mountain scenery. By mid afternoon we begin to prepare for class and practice teaching which almost always takes place in the early evenings during the week. The specifics of the schedule will be decided once you arrive and discuss the events at the temple and options for the particular month and weeks in which you chose to participate. In general, however, classes run in the late afternoon or early evening so that the local Thai student villagers and farmers have a chance to finish work and eat before practice teaching begins. There is evening chanting and musical practice and performances upon occasion as well.

For more information and registration for this, or any of the Paradise TEFL franchise programs, please don't hesitate to contact us today!

See the full gallery on Posterous