Results 1 to 19 of 19
  1. #1
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    11,943

    Text and Talk Academy

    So James Parmelee the founder of Text and Talk passed away on 10 August 2017:

    TEFL Courses & TEFL Certification in Thailand - Teaching English Abroad

    Do you old hands think the school will survive without him around?

    From what I've read online it appears he's been in Thailand for around 50 years teaching, and founding his school in 1991.

    I had narrowed it down to his school and another for my TESOL certificate back in 2007 but ultimately gave T & T a pass.

    So what do you think? Will the school survive under the management of his family or will it end up getting sold off?

  2. #2
    Thailand Expat
    Mandaloopy's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Last Online
    Today @ 10:01 PM
    Location
    ᠮᠣᠩᠭᠣᠯ ᠤᠯᠤᠰ
    Posts
    3,047
    Came up the the Ajarn FB page and it is sad news indeed. He seemed like he was genuine and much liked man who was happy to help many. I hope the school remains in the family and continues to provide the helpful service it was known for.

    That said, I do think the TEFL market needs to change slightly. My experience with another course was that it was all very much centered around showing flashcards and games that could have been copied off Daves ESL. I'd like to see more focus on child centered learning, multiple intelligences and making things hands on. My first year of teaching kids in an actual classroom was a muddle-too much teacher talking time and games for the sake of playing a game.

    Schools are demanding more from teachers when it comes to methodologies and I think the training needs to evolve and reflect that.

  3. #3
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,545
    Having guffawed uncontrollably whilst flicking through his crime novel in 'Asia Books' I can say with certainty that this is a massive loss to unintentional comedy.

    As to the training centre, with no personal experience I can't really say whether or not its reputation was well deserved or whether or not it will continue to serve its loyal market.

  4. #4
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,545
    Loopy...your experience is a common one, and it's why reputable schools and universities insist on at least a CELTA or equivalent and a minimum of two years post-cert experience: everything you need can't possibly be crammed into a month.

  5. #5
    Custom Title Changer
    Topper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2007
    Last Online
    Today @ 10:21 PM
    Location
    Bangkok
    Posts
    12,126
    Where's Kenkannif when you need him?

  6. #6
    R.I.P.
    hick's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2016
    Last Online
    23-01-2019 @ 04:19 PM
    Posts
    5,269
    Presumably watching TV.

  7. #7
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,545
    Fair question.

    I suppose the hope, not always realised, is that someone who has paid out the money needed to do a CELTA will have the self motivation to improve.

    Sooner or later in any branch of education it is self motivation that counts most.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    11,943
    Quote Originally Posted by Mandaloopy View Post
    Came up the the Ajarn FB page and it is sad news indeed. He seemed like he was genuine and much liked man who was happy to help many. I hope the school remains in the family and continues to provide the helpful service it was known for.
    TBH I didn't realize it was owned and ran by an American and a veteran. Had I known that I may very well have let that guide me to his school vice the one I attended. Came to find out Mr. Parmalee was a member of the VFW in Bangkok.

    Just curious though. Seems like he was a hands on leader so kinda wonder how involved his wife and kids had been over the years. If they're even prepared to take it over. Or maybe they'll have to bring in somebody.

    The dude must have been at least in mid 70s so I wonder how involved he was also with the branches in the three other locations. No easy task.

  9. #9
    Thailand Expat
    Cold Pizza's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Alliance HQ
    Posts
    4,525
    Thanks for the FYI, SK.

    I didn't go to T n T but know a couple of people who did.

    Kenkannif was cool. Where is he now.?

  10. #10
    Thailand Expat Storekeeper's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Jomtien
    Posts
    11,943
    Quote Originally Posted by Cold Pizza
    Kenkannif was cool. Where is he now.?
    Not a clue. Lost track of him long ago. Always got along with him though.

  11. #11
    Thailand Expat
    Cold Pizza's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Alliance HQ
    Posts
    4,525
    Quote Originally Posted by Storekeeper View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Cold Pizza
    Kenkannif was cool. Where is he now.?
    Not a clue. Lost track of him long ago. Always got along with him though.
    Yeah, me too.


    Oh well.....

  12. #12
    Member scottyroo's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2015
    Last Online
    26-03-2018 @ 03:20 PM
    Location
    Bangkok/ Samut Prakarn
    Posts
    52
    Kenkannif possible whereabouts.

    Was a rumour that he was in England but that was some six months back and third hand info too.

  13. #13
    Thailand Expat
    aging one's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2005
    Last Online
    @
    Posts
    22,637
    KK is fine in the UK and has his kids with him, but still nuts as ever.

  14. #14
    Thailand Expat
    Cold Pizza's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2016
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Alliance HQ
    Posts
    4,525
    Quote Originally Posted by aging one View Post
    KK is fine in the UK and has his kids with him, but still nuts as ever.
    Thanks AO,

    I wish he would pop in here and say hello.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat
    Munted's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Last Online
    27-12-2023 @ 07:49 PM
    Location
    Nmbr. 38
    Posts
    1,055
    well, an absence of several months from this forum RIP James. I actually shaked his hand on my graduation from his school but am still in two minds if it was a deliberate or well-intentioned scam. Still. despite it all in hindsight I did enjoy the experience & wish all who went through that Bangkok experience of the 'parmelee' process all the best.
    I don't hate the US and Euro people. It's their politicians who are the dickheads.


  16. #16
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Last Online
    @
    Location
    Home
    Posts
    33,545
    Quote Originally Posted by Munted View Post
    I actually shaked his hand on my graduation from his school

    And that kind of says it all.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat

    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Last Online
    26-03-2019 @ 11:28 AM
    Location
    across the street
    Posts
    4,083
    No grammar 101 courses at the T&T academy apparently.

  18. #18
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Last Online
    26-01-2022 @ 02:24 AM
    Location
    Parts Unknown
    Posts
    354
    James was a very decent and genuine man. RIP JP.

    Hadn't realized KK had left TnT/Thailand. I always thought he would be a lifer there.

    Why did he leave? Sacked/deported?
    Last edited by Stranger; 04-12-2017 at 12:27 AM.

  19. #19
    Dislocated Member
    Neo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Last Online
    31-10-2021 @ 03:34 AM
    Location
    Nebuchadnezzar
    Posts
    10,609
    T&T was always good for a Non Imm B

    RIP James

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •