Thread: So, what's the obsession with TEFLERs on TD?

I was wondering this myself?
A very good friend was a tefler himself in Phuket 2 or 3 years ago, he enjoyed it and got good results for the kids (7 and 8 year olds)

Because some of 'em come off as real arrogant cnuts.
Not all but a preponderance of them...

I have no idea too. The strangest thing to me is that most threads seem to be started by TEFLers?

Ummm. I am new here. Whats a TELFER?

I've wondered the same, but never been curious enough to actually ask.

Originally Posted by Panda

Whats a TELFER?

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A qualification one can get in a short course over a few weeks, which I think is why it has such low status.

maybe its because a lot of them are in thailand and having fun with young girls at night while a lot of people arent.

Originally Posted by Panda

Ummm. I am new here. Whats a TELFER?

The dictonary definition shows a picture of John Michael Carr - your sterotypical TEFLer...

Originally Posted by stroller

Originally Posted by Panda

Whats a TELFER?

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A qualification one can get in a short course over a few weeks,which I think is why it has such low status.

even without the short course

I knew a Greek chap, an Iranian chap and a German lady that taught English.. forgot ... a Swiss too
all having heavy foreign accents and no tefl cert. whatsoever! All 200 THB/hr. English teachers

the most essential qualification is fair skin ...

if you are a darky, regardless of academic achievements, tefling in Thailand can be a daunting career path!
For example, also knew a born and bred Canadian woman, native English speaker with a Master degree in Education, that had great difficulties securing a teaching job. She was of Tamil origin and hence black as an ace of spades!

Originally Posted by Sir Burr

So, what is this strage obsession with TEFLERs?

There always seems to be a thread involving Ajarn.

There always seems to be a flame war where a TEFLER or two are involved.

same same all the other threads about thai visa!

TEFLERs seem to have low status and are usually ridiculed. Why is this?

Is it because some people earn more money than them?

because a number of them, not all, a complete gooses! but try to justify their existence.

Is it the preceived desperation to stay in Thailand, that they do TEFLER?

I don't know any TEFLERs and when I read about people like Bangkok Phil and Kenkannif I feel like a complete outsider, yet, there are many posters on TD that seem to be "in" on the situation.

So just why are TEFLERs treated with such distain on TD?

i guess it is the desperation thing for some, but some also are qualified, do a good job but have to deal with this whole negative stereotype thingy....

Guy on the left has 'shifty-lookin' bleeder' tattooed all over his face.

I think you'd be right! haha

because they are frauds ? or maybe desperate to stay in Thailand and get low paying job ?

a low paying job by whose standards - an average Thai do you mean?

I ain't a TEFL type of person. However this is the deal. Ajarn had one of the 1st forums in Thailand that 'falangs' could sorta communicate and bitch with each other. Sounds good...

However, BKK Phil turned out to be a nut!

Prob getting banned from Ajarn has smth to do with it!!!

^never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!