Any HAPPY Non Graduate TEFL Teachers!

**heazille** · 02-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Having spent the best part of two days wandering through the various posts (not just this forum) about teaching in Thailand, I have a simple question for you.

Are there any happy people here who are both Non Graduate and Career Changed to TEFL Teaching

Ta Ta
Richard

**Hootad Binky** · 02-04-2008, 12:34 AM

If you want to be a good TEFL teacher, you need the best training, like a CELTA/CTEFLA from Cambridge University (and taught at ECC Siam Square I believe). No training/crappy training = crappy, ineffective unhappy teacher.

**kingwilly** · 02-04-2008, 06:04 AM

^^ quite a few I'd say.

**benbaaa** · 02-04-2008, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by heazille

Are there any happy people here who are both Non Graduate and Career Changed to TEFL Teaching

Happy = Yes

Non Graduate = No

Career Changed = Yes

Sorry, only 2 out of three.

**Topper** · 02-04-2008, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by benbaaa

Happy = Yes

Non Graduate = No

Career Changed = Yes Sorry, only 2 out of three.

Same here.

**Marmite the Dog** · 02-04-2008, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

quite a few I'd say.

I know lots of happy teachers without degrees. I also know lots of happy teachers with degrees.

**NickA** · 02-04-2008, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

I know lots of happy teachers without degrees. I also know lots of happy teachers with degrees.

I know lots of unhappy teachers without degrees. I also know lots of unhappy teachers with degrees.

(just for completeness)

**DaveRobin** · 02-04-2008, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

If you want to be a good TEFL teacher, you need the best training, like a CELTA/CTEFLA from Cambridge University (and taught at ECC Siam Square I believe). No training/crappy training = crappy, ineffective unhappy teacher.

As both of these courses are for teaching adults and not children, I would say totally unsuitable for 80% of the work in Thailand. You won't know how to discipline a class of pratom 4 kids, classroom management and cultural considerations of teaching here.

P.S.
Cambridge University aren't the trainers. It's a commercial programme of UCLES and franchised out to whoever meets their requirements. Rather like Cambridge University Press which publishes books. It's good and professional but just a business.

**Agent_Smith** · 02-04-2008, 02:45 PM

It's not in Siam Square anymore, either. They moved to the Big C on Rajdamri Rd. near Chid Lom station.

**mrsquirrel** · 04-04-2008, 02:16 PM

I know a lot of monkeys in trees.

They are happy as well.

**Agent_Smith** · 04-04-2008, 04:47 PM

^Are you still dying from that hideous skin disease?

**DJ Pat** · 06-04-2008, 03:16 PM

I think with teaching, you gotta either be 100% into it or nothing. Not some half arsed complaining c**t that I often come across.

**Marmite the Dog** · 06-04-2008, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

I think with teaching, you gotta either be 100% into it or nothing. Not some half arsed complaining c**t that I often come across as.

True, but most people are only 'teachers' here because it's easy. In defence, it often takes a while before one makes enough contacts to be able to move up and away from teaching into doing a proper job.

**mikehunt** · 10-04-2008, 08:31 PM

Before coming to Thailand 2 years ago, I first taught non-English speaking students in South America for about a year. I didn't have any teaching qualifications then (& I think that I wasn't a good teacher then).

Having taught at three Thai institutions (two schools & one college), I have quickly learnt some important teaching strategies. (Why is it that I must tolerate this American spell checker..."learnt" is real English.)

Fortunately, I have the ability to "naturally" captivate an audience & the fact that I enjoy the many & varied people on this planet, helps me greatly as a teacher.

As for current qualifications, I have none with regard to teaching. Nor do I hold any degree.

My Thai teaching colleagues view me as a "more than worthy" teacher because my methods seem to "get through" to the students.

Qualifications are generally necessary in the technical world. They are not necessary in the teaching world (IMHO), unless you teach a technical subject like Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry etc.

Teaching a language is more about teaching a concept rather than teaching grammar. Teaching is also largely about relationships.

I'm relatively happy with my job...I don't have to wear a "collar & tie" or any formal attire. I can roll up in my jeans & boots (if I wish) & nobody will say or do anything. I do usually wear good trousers with an appropriate "polo neck" shirt. I also participate in many college functions & as a result, I have many good Thai friends. I am not seen as "the farang".

Disregarding all of this, I'd love to get back into engineering...it has the challenge I desire.

**Smeg** · 10-04-2008, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by Hootad Binky

If you want to be a good TEFL teacher, you need the best training, like a CELTA/CTEFLA from Cambridge University (and taught at ECC Siam Square I believe). No training/crappy training = crappy, ineffective unhappy teacher.

What makes a happy teacher is someone who wants to do it because they enjoy it and are a natural teacher, not someone forcing themself to do it because it is the only way they can feed their addiction to Thailand / hatred of the west.

**Torbek** · 13-04-2008, 07:23 AM

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

I think with teaching, you gotta either be 100% into it or nothing. Not some half arsed complaining c**t that I often come across as.

I don't know about that...

You'll find members of all manner of profession bitching and moaning about it.

Just because the task of the occupation happens to be the educating of children and adolescents, that doesn't place an obligation of some overwhelmingly higher standard on practitioners than applies in other professions.

At the end of the day, to many it is still just a job...it does not necessarily define them as people.

I've met plenty of nurses, doctors, dentists, accountants, solicitors, engineers, police, firemen, soldiers, etc. who aren't necessarily 100% 'into' their professions. And they seemed quite good at what they do.

Sure, it may be nice to think the closer they are to 100% 'into' their jobs, the more effective they will be. Although I'm not sure that is a 'given' either...

I find that as a person becomes 100% 'into' their profession, they sometimes adopt a level of fanaticism that (a) can proclude them seeing the biger picture of where their task lies in a social framework, and (b) is a bit bloody creepy.

**kingwilly** · 13-04-2008, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Torbek

I find that as a person becomes 100% 'into' their profession, they sometimes adopt a level of fanaticism that (a) can proclude them seeing the biger picture of where their task lies in a social framework, and (b) is a bit bloody creepy.

fair call

Originally Posted by Torbek

Just because the task of the occupation happens to be the educating of children and adolescents, that doesn't place an obligation of some overwhelmingly higher standard on practitioners than applies in other professions.

yet we are held to higher standards, in a similar manner sports stars are also supposed to be role models.

**good2bhappy** · 13-04-2008, 07:34 AM

Why the continous rant about people living in Thailand hating the west.
Maybe they like Asia more thats all.
Re the subject.
Happiness( contentment) in any job comes when you are able to control the environment that you work in. The degree of happiness is related to the degree of control.
Unless you are a doormat!

**Torbek** · 13-04-2008, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by Torbek

I find that as a person becomes 100% 'into' their profession, they sometimes adopt a level of fanaticism that (a) can proclude them seeing the biger picture of where their task lies in a social framework, and (b) is a bit bloody creepy.

fair call

Originally Posted by Torbek

Just because the task of the occupation happens to be the educating of children and adolescents, that doesn't place an obligation of some overwhelmingly higher standard on practitioners than applies in other professions.

yet we are held to higher standards, in a similar manner sports stars are also supposed to be role models.

My fault using the word 'standard'.

I meant standard of commitment to the job (ie. 'into' it 100%) rather than standard of conduct or behaviour.

**colourful-era** · 15-04-2008, 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

Happiness( contentment) in any job comes when you are able to control the environment that you work in. The degree of happiness is related to the degree of control. Unless you are a doormat!

good post - control of one's own destiny is the key to happiness.

Some psychologists say that teachers are control freaks of a sort - yet unless you are high up the chain there's always a toad round the corner that you must obey.

**dirtydog** · 15-04-2008, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by mikehunt

Qualifications are generally necessary in the technical world. They are not necessary in the teaching world (IMHO),

You gonna try that one on with a school in a first world country? Think they may laugh you out of the building....

**DrAndy** · 15-04-2008, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by Smeg

What makes a happy teacher is someone who wants to do it because they enjoy it and are a natural teacher, not someone forcing themself to do it

because it is the only way they can feed their addiction to Thailand / hatred of the west.

that last part seems a little obsessive Smeg. the first part true

teachers/anyone find that teaching does give them a chance to live in the country of their choice for a while. This, hopefully, will broaden their experience and make them a more rounded individual. The fact that someone wants to live and work abroad does not have the corollary that they hate their own country. I am not sure why you keep insisting on that premise.

**colourful-era** · 15-04-2008, 05:45 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

You gonna try that one on with a school in a first world country? Think they may laugh you out of the building....

Many private language shcools in the UK do not require a degree - some don't even ask for a Tefl cert. It's just these stupid Thai fucks that think a degree in any subject = teacher. Retards.

**mrsquirrel** · 22-04-2008, 06:49 AM

The degree things is about looking professional.

You are working in academia therefore you should have at least had four years of higher education.

**colourful-era** · 22-04-2008, 12:38 PM

Surely doing A levels is good enough to teach Angrit.

Anyway, I had an odd job interview today - the DOS (at a University) was concerned that I didn't have a copy of my degree to hand yet after waffling around for some time gave me a few hours anyway - On the back of the timetable he gave me was an essay written in English about the joys of eating pussy and the frustration of not being able to suck one's own penis. - Can't quite see where the 'looking professional' comes into the equation.

It's just a front in this Tefl game - you make the company money - they pay you ; end of.

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