Blogs

Driving, buying and being a passenger - Cars in Thailand

Neil's Blog - 12th December 2008

What a nightmare – Or is it really?

We’ve all taken (or you’ll just be soon to take) that taxi, tuk-tuk or motorbike taxi ride from hell. I’ve had them all. Taxi rides – from the driver who insisted on singing Elvis ballads through 58 minutes of traffic jams. I didn’t give him a tip. I just pretended I was from Memphis and promised him Priscilla’s autograph. Also there is an infamous taxi driver who picks up near my school who has tourettes syndrome and twitches and jerks whilst mumbling expletives’ to himself between indicating and changing gear with his chin. The tuk-tuks ( I think this translates to cheap-cheap, though not really) are the noisy three wheelers that Bangkok is famous for. The last tuk-tuk I rode was for the benefit of friends that came to stay with me from England. The driver insisted on doing “wheelies” at every change of green light much to our horror and his hysterical amusement. This was dangerous but fine up until the point he laughed so much at one intersection he spat out his false teeth and spent at least two minutes fumbling about near his clutch pedal with only tertiary glance at the traffic whizzing around him. Motorbike taxis I only take for a short ride down minor roads. After I’ve smelt their breath for alcohol and made them walk ten paces in a straight line.

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Dressing the part

Troy's Blog - 6th December 2008

The Asian fascination with appearance

Last week I wrote about society's expectations for teachers. Making the decision to teach English in Thailand, and take a TEFL/TESL course is an important step in any person's life, and to make the most out of living and working in Asia it is helpful to know where to start. Below is some guidelines that I have given countless times to new and trainee teachers when asked what to wear to in their new lives.

Building a social network

Kevin's Blog - 27th November 2008

Getting involved and staying sane

In a previous blog I wrote about what to do socially whilst undertaking the Chichester College TESOL teacher training course in Bangkok. But let's imagine you've completed the course and popped out of the other end armed with your TESOL certificate and you've just secured your first job. What now in terms of a social life? Whether you remain in Bangkok or venture further afield, you're going to need a social network of friends and acquaintances. Why? Because it's very important to have a social support network. You're in a foreign land – we're like newborn babies; kind of helpless without all the gooey bits.

Looking the part

Troy's Blog - 25th November 2008

What does a teacher look like anyway?

Anyone who has been to Asia will have noticed a preoccupation with dress and manners. Whilst customs and practices may differ from country to country there is one thing that remains true: teachers in Asia are immediately afforded a degree of respect and status that has all but disappeared in many 'Western' countries, and as such are expected to behave and dress appropriately.

How much Thai do I need to be able to speak?

Steve's Blog - 14th November 2008

Teaching English - in English!

Living and working in Thailand as an English teacher means that you get the opportunity to live in parts of the world that tourists never get to see. In fact, some of Thailand’s best sites are away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade. This is the real Thailand of sweeping tropical landscapes, gentle people and fascinating cultural idiosyncrasies.

Managing your money in Thailand

Neil's Blog - 6th November 2008

How to avoid a financial crisis between paydays

Making your own flashcards

Kevin's Blog - 31st October 2008

Get our your scissors and glue - it's time to get creative

Do you have any experience?

Steve's Blog - 16th October 2008

That ominous and inevitable question we all have to face

Dealing with stress on a TEFL course

Troy's Blog - 28th September 2008

Three simple pointers to avoid becoming a nervous wreck

Time out in Bangkok

Kevin's Blog - 13th September 2008

What to do when I've got a few hours respite from teacher training

Coping with coursework

Troy's Blog - 5th September 2008

Ten easy pointers to reduce stress during your TESOL course

Taking a TEFL course in Bangkok from a student's perspective

Student Blogs - 6th August 2008

Anna shares her experiences from training to starting work in Thailand

The top 5 best things about living in Thailand

Joseph's Blog - 31st July 2008

An alternative to the usual tourist brochure things

Excursion to Northern Bangkok primary school

Steve's Blog - 28th June 2008

A valuable insight into what goes on during a TESOL course excursion

The great thing about taking a TESOL course in Thailand is the huge number of practical excursions we are able to take everyone on. I find that excursions to schools in Bangkok and the surrounding area really do provide an excellent opportunity for everyone involved to gain exposure to living and teaching English in Thailand.

Wai Khru Day in Surat Thani

Student Blogs - 25th June 2008

Rowan's first experience of this amazing "Respect Teacher Day" in Thailand's idyllic southern province of Surat Thani

At the school I work at located in Surat Thani on the southern coast of Thailand, teachers' meetings are held weekly, supposedly to keep us up to date on forthcoming events so we can plan better. In reality, however, it's an opportunity for the boss to drop bombshells on us; leading to massive changes in the week's teaching schedule. It's at times like these that I am glad for the warning provided by one of my trainers on the TESOL course who warned of classroom management issues that fit into the 'other' category - unexpected cicumstances beyond the teacher's control.

Charlie's story from Africa

Student Blogs - 20th June 2008

Charlie looks back over the last three years and reflects on how dramatically his life has changed. From leaving England, to taking the course in Thailand and now teaching in Tanzania

Just over three years ago, my marriage was coming to a painful end. It hadn't been great for a few years but now it was near breaking point. I had always promised myself that when my children were old enough to cater for themselves, then I would go overseas to South East Asia and teach English for the remainder of my life. So when my marriage finally snapped, I decided to take a TESOL course as far away from home in Britain as possible. I found a few TEFL sites on the internet but was drawn to Chichester College UK TESOL certificate run by Spencer International in Bangkok. Firstly because it was a million miles away from home; secondly because it seemed a well planned course and guaranteed a job placement on completion. I flew out and spent some time in Thailand exploring this beautiful kingdom and met a lovely Si Sa Ket girl called Anna. On my arrival at the college, the head tutor Steve, came and very patiently answered all my questions about life as a Tesol teacher in Thailand. I felt reassured and quietly confident.

Finding work anywhere in Thailand

Student Blogs - 1st April 2007

Francois and Sanru Jansen van Rensburg, a young couple from South Africa, joined Chichester College's TESOL course in Bangkok in February 2007

My husband and I came to Thailand on holiday in 2006 for a month and at that time we fell in love, not only with the place, but also with the people and the culture. In 2007, We decided that we just had to come back, and not just for a holiday, but to stay!

Experiences from Wat Sra Kaew

Student Blogs - 1st March 2006

Lindsay looks at how her life has changed over the 2 years since she took the course in September 2004

I have been in Thailand since September of 2004, when I arrived in Bangkok to enroll in a Chichester College TESOL (TEFL/TESL) training course. While teaching, I have continued to assist in the activities of the Training Centre. I have seen many exciting things happen as the Centre has extended it’s arm and influence to the community, providing both support for the local Thai people and teacher development opportunities for course participants.

Chichester College receives royal seal of approval

News Blog - 24th February 2006

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh have presented a prestigious award to Chichester College at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace

The Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education recognises the highest quality of work taking place in higher and further education and prizewinners have to demonstrate outstanding work at world-class level. Chichester College won the award “for developing the College and its community through International student intake and integration”.

The end of my first school term as a rookie

Student Blogs - 1st January 2006

Darren, a participant on the TESOL course in August 2005, looks back at the the past few months

Well, what can I say? From that dreadful, stomach-wrenching feeling, wanting it all to be a bad dream, when I walked into my first class room a few weeks ago, to now, when I think it’s a dream but I don’t want to wake up. It’s amazing how things have changed in such a short time. I am not the same man I was a few weeks ago. If I’m truthful, I’ll tell you that the children in my five classes a day have changed me. Everyday when I walk into that classroom, I learn so much from them; I sometimes wonder who is teaching who! I have had to learn the names of 150 students in only a few weeks, and slowly but surely they’re all falling into place. It’s strange to think how you start to remember them: first I remember the little DEVIL’S; then come the little angels; and the rest drift in ever so slowly - the bright and the not so bright.