ELT World » South East Asia Your local friendly TEFL blog Fri, 04 Jun 2010 05:32:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Teaching English in Japan is at this Instant Easier… /2008/10/teaching-english-in-japan-is-at-this-instant-easier/ /2008/10/teaching-english-in-japan-is-at-this-instant-easier/#comments Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:57:00 +0000 david /2008/10/teaching-english-in-japan-is-at-this-instant-easier/ By Judy Wellsworth

In this edition of the guest writers series, Judy Wellsworth gives us the lowdown on teaching in Japan:

In Japan, the necessity for English-speaking citizens has lately risen to epic proportions. With this increase in demand, finding a job teaching English in Japan is easier than ever for foreigners who wish to head abroad. Are you considering teaching English in Japan? If so, there are a few key things you should know before you begin your job hunt. Teaching English in Japan is an adventure makes sure it’s not a stressful one

Japanese serenity
Image courtesy of www.freephotosbank.com

Gross Good While Coaching In Japan: Teaching English in Japan is also possible at a more laid-back level. If you’re not interested in getting involved with a school, college, or corporation, consider teaching private lessons. Private teachers who travel to peoples homes to teach English can expect to earn about 15-20 Euros per session. You most likely won’t make a living doing this, but it can be a great way to enhancement your income if you’re forecast on staying in Japan.

A unique expansion in the field of teaching English in Japan involves teaching over the telephone. Although this method is catching on in many countries, it is particularly popular in Japan, and it offers teachers the opportunity to do their jobs without having to leave their home countries. Some might quarrel that living in France is the best part of becoming an English teacher. However, if your life doesn’t permit travel but you’re still interested in a TEFL career, telephone teaching is another option to walk around.

If you’re interested in the Japanese culture and have a working knowledge of the language, teaching English in Japan can be a great way to support you while experiencing a different culture. If you’ve chosen this field, be prepared to do your research before embarking on your adventure. Till take some work, but it’s very possible to make this your lifelong livelihood.

Ever since the middle of 1990, a lot of foreign individuals have looked into the possibility of teaching English in Japan. This is because of the vast opportunity that is waiting for them in the country. With the increasing weight of the American economy within the large-scale market or the desire to travel to the USA, a lot of citizens who do not know how to speak the language have decided to study it. English schools within the country want to be assured with the tutoring that they are providing their students.

It would not be an awful idea for you to try looking for a teaching job in the country, too. You can make your employment more enjoyable when you pick to apply within schools which have a good status. This way, you will be able to guarantee that the terms of your indenture are clear. If you want to make sure that the contract of your English teaching job is not just a false promise, you can ask for references from the people that you know. If you know someone who has previously qualified or is currently teaching in Japan , you might want to ask which school offers the best benefits. If you are engrossed in education English in Japan then you can take the TEFL course. All prices include tuition fees and course materials; the higher cost in Seville is because it includes accommodation. In the other 2 locations, accommodation is not provided but the course organizers will help you to assemble it.

There are many opportunities for teaching English in Japan so seize your TEFL certificate in one of these three locations and then help will be given to finding you a job in the area of your choice. Most contracts last for one year and then you are free to endeavor another country that appeals to you, maybe, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Brazil, the list is endless and the choice is yours a TEFL certificate in actuality is a authorization to the world.

About the author

You can also find more info on Teaching Certificates and Teaching Courses. Teachingjobshelp.com is a comprehensive resource to known more about teaching jobs.

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TEFL courses in Thailand & teaching English in Thailand with TEFL jobs /2008/08/tefl-courses-in-thailand-teaching-english-in-thailand-with-tefl-jobs/ /2008/08/tefl-courses-in-thailand-teaching-english-in-thailand-with-tefl-jobs/#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:19:00 +0000 david /2008/08/tefl-courses-in-thailand-teaching-english-in-thailand-with-tefl-jobs/ By Luke Fisher

The life of the English teacher in Thailand is the subject of this latest in the series of guest articles, this time from Luke Fisher:

There are a wide variety and number of TEFL courses in Thailand in locations to suit all tastes. Equally, teaching English in Thailand is well catered for due to the high number of TEFL jobs available. There is a high demand for English language knowledge and ability in this diverse and truly amazing country. Thailand is a central Asian country which enjoys a tropical climate with 3 seasons: hot and dry October through February, hot and humid with showers from March through May and wet and cool June to September. These seasons vary from the cooler north of Thailand to the hotter south. The average annual temperature is 28 C (83 F), ranging, in Bangkok, for example, from 30 C in April to 25 C in December.

The relaxed life style, friendly people and sense of tropical paradise, all make Thailand a very popular destination for teaching English. After completing a TEFL course in Thailand, TEFL jobs may appear to offer somewhat low salaries ranging from Bht 30,000 ($1000 USD) to Bht 60,000 ($2000 USD) per month, but the cost of living is relatively low. As a result, teaching English in Thailand provides the opportunity to live comfortably, save and travel.

One thing to remember is that as a teacher teaching English in Thailand, you will be going native and not paying ‘Farang’ (foreigner) prices for everything. Most people find that salaries are more than enough to support a very comfortable lifestyle, and that TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand are a very positive life experience.

Thailand is a very popular location for teaching English and TEFL courses and it is important to remember to respect local concerns. Teachers teaching English in Thailand are respected members of society, and are expected to dress accordingly. It is, therefore, advisable that dress, when teaching or looking for TEFL jobs, includes either long trousers or a skirt below the knee, accompanied by long-sleeved shirt or blouse. Cut-off shorts and vests will neither win friends nor influence people. It does get very hot, so light-weight clothing is advisable. Simply show a little respect and this will be appreciated and reciprocated. As with many Asian countries the saving of face is extremely important, being rude or in-polite is seriously frowned upon.

The whole approach to TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English in Thailand is dictated by your anticipated length of stay, and this will be reflected in your approach to visas. TEFL courses in Thailand can be completed on a tourist visa or a student visa. Teaching English in Thailand and TEFL jobs in Thailand in general require a Non-B visa which is renewable every twelve months. As well as this, teachers of English will need a teacher’s license. Employers help provide both the visa and the license. In order to be eligible TEFL job applicants would have to of successfully completed a TEFL course in Thailand or prior to arrival in another location.

Major cities for TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand include Bangkok, Chang Mai, Udon Thani, Phuket and Hat Yai. Bangkok offers great nightlife, but at the cost of pollution, congestion and higher living costs, although salaries tend to be higher here. Mountainous Chang Mai and Udon Thani in the North of Thailand are proving popular, especially for those seeking the real Thailand and the unique experience that comes with it. The island of Phuket is developing rapidly and is very popular for TEFL courses in Thailand and teaching English. With development comes a strong and varied TEFL job market in the public, private and tourism sectors. Phuket also retains a great sense of tropical paradise regardless of the development.

TEFL courses in Thailand are offered in Phuket, Ban Phe and Chiang Mai as well as several other locations. Searching on the net will provide a wide choice of TEFL course provider. Two things to consider are that the course provider is properly accredited and examined by the Thai Ministry of Education and that the provider has good TEFL job support services and that this element is included as part of the TEFL course.

For those seeking TEFL jobs teaching English in Thailand in advance of arrival, companies such as Anglo-Pacific Consultancy, Bell Associated Schools and EF English First, which has several centres in Thailand, are all worth checking out. It is perfectly possible to get jobs on the spot in most cities. It is simply a matter of checking out the local English language press, trying to make a few contacts, and making the rounds of the universities, schools and English language colleges. You will need a copy of your TEFL certificate, and increasingly in Thailand, a university degree is also a requisite.

As with any TEFL job teaching English in Thailand you should complete some research. You should enquire with your employer about class sizes, teaching materials, preparation time, time for staff meetings, and expected length of contract. In some cases you will be making up the whole curriculum for your students and in others working within a very rigid framework.

Most people find teaching English in Thailand a wonderful experience and teaching Thai people a great pleasure. A fortune is not there to be earned, but a great sense of worth and accomplishment is there to be realized. There are a wide variety of TEFL courses in Thailand to choose from leading to TEFL jobs and an opportunity live, work and travel in one of the world’s most amazing countries.

About the Author

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

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TEFL Jobs: Teaching English Abroad /2008/06/tefl-jobs-teaching-english-abroad/ /2008/06/tefl-jobs-teaching-english-abroad/#comments Fri, 13 Jun 2008 06:40:00 +0000 david /2008/06/tefl-jobs-teaching-english-abroad/ By Luke Fisher

Once TEFL certified, course graduates are qualified to teach English abroad. Opportunities for teaching English abroad are plentiful with TEFL jobs, Teaching English as a Foreign/Second Language, available in most countries. The vast majority of English teaching jobs tend to be in countries where English is not the first language an example of this is TEFL in Thailand or China. Asia is generally considered to be the largest market place for TEFL teachers. Although, in countries where English is the native language, there is an increasing demand for English teachers. This is due to growth of immigrants into countries where English is the native language such as Mexicans migrating to America and Poles migrating to England. The worldwide demand for knowledge of and ability to use the English language has created a wide variety of TEFL jobs throughout the world. For those that are TEFL certified, teaching job offers overseas or at home are plentiful.

A number of areas need to be covered with regard to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. Fortunately, most of these areas are covered during the job guidance and support sessions within the TEFL course and are a fundamental component of the course itself. Interview techniques are covered along with resume building. A variety of potential questions and answers are discussed in relation to interviews. Positives and negatives for TEFL in different countries are considered and discussed as well as salaries, working conditions and employment benefits. What to expect from your employer and what your employer will expect from you. Lastly and perhaps most importantly: where and how to locate TEFL jobs.

The internet has quickly become the main source for research into TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. There are a plethora of forums, TEFL job databases and directories offering or advertising teaching positions in countries all over the world. Simply type ‘TEFL in Thailand’ into a search engine and you will receive thousands of results. Two of the most popular directories are ELT career portal and Dave’s ESL Cafe which both list thousands of jobs. Dave’s ESL Cafe also has many, many forums that cover most topics relating to teaching English abroad. Another good source for TEFL jobs is the classified ads in newspapers both in print and online.

The variety of teaching jobs continues to increase with TEFL jobs available in areas such as schools, colleges, universities, language centers, businesses and companies, hospitals, hotels and tourism generally. TEFL in Thailand for example, businesses, hotels and hospitals employ English language teachers to train their staff to communicate with customers from overseas. This has become big business in Thailand due to the generally lower costs of living and especially in terms of lower medical expenses. For those wishing to teach English abroad there really is a great variety of locations and teaching positions to choose from.

Salaries, conditions and benefits vary greatly from country to country. TEFL in Thailand for example, salaries range from $800 to $2000 USD per month depending on qualifications and experience. Salaries are high in Thailand where a typical salary for a Thai person is about $200 USD per month. Living costs in Thailand are low and salaries afford the opportunity to live well, save and travel. Employers in Thailand provide all working papers which are renewed every 12 months. Health insurance is arranged automatically through monthly contributions. Teachers will have on average 20 to 25 contact hrs per week with their students. Students in Thailand are respectful and are keen to learn.

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Approximately 80% of TEFL graduates teach English abroad for between one and 3 years before returning home to pursue other forms of employment. This is not surprising as TEFL tends to be the spring board for travel and employment on a limited basis. Employers at home look favorably on applicants who have spent time overseas training, teaching English, gaining new skills and qualifications. Approximately 20% of TEFL graduates go on to gain advanced TEFL qualifications and continue with TEFL jobs. Advanced level qualifications include Diploma in TEFL and MA TEFL. With these advanced level qualifications the types of TEFL job options increases with positions such as Director of Studies, Teacher Trainer and Curriculum Developer become available.

Weather you choose teaching English abroad as career, a conduit for travel and experience or as a stepping stone to other things, you will have a wealth of choice in terms of location and type of TEFL job. Teaching English abroad will provide you with an unforgettable experience and also provide you with an opportunity to help in the lives of others through education.

Teach, Travel, Live and Work Abroad.

About the author

TEFL in Thailand and TEFL International provides TEFL courses and TEFL certification leading to TEFL jobs and teaching English abroad. English teaching jobs are available in countries all over the world.

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CamTESOL 2009 /2008/05/camtesol-2009/ /2008/05/camtesol-2009/#comments Thu, 29 May 2008 09:37:00 +0000 david /2008/05/camtesol-2009/
The 5th CamTESOL Conference on English Language Teaching
“The Globalisation of ELT: Emerging Directions”
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
The dates for the 2009 CamTESOL are 21st-22nd February. For more information on the 2009 conference or on earlier conferences, please go to the CamTESOL website or e-mail [email protected]

A Call for Papers will be issued very shortly.

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The Curry Chicken Picks the Rice /2008/05/the-curry-chicken-picks-the-rice/ /2008/05/the-curry-chicken-picks-the-rice/#comments Tue, 27 May 2008 09:23:00 +0000 david /2008/05/the-curry-chicken-picks-the-rice/ …in Chinese restaurants, which comes as quite a surprise, I can tell you. Thanks again to Jimmy Ng who is sending me some classic stuff via email. Click here to take a look at more examples from the bizarre world of Chinglish!

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Classic Chinglish Cockups /2008/04/classic-chinglish-cockups/ /2008/04/classic-chinglish-cockups/#comments Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:11:00 +0000 david /2008/04/classic-chinglish-cockups/
Chinglish is widely recognised as being the hybrid of Chinese and English, often creating mesmerising results. I’ve been lucky enough to have been in email correspondence with Jimmy Ng, who I’m pleased to say is a regular reader of the blog. He sent me the following clip, which had me on the floor in stitches:

Thanks again for this, Jimmy!

It the video clip doesn’t work, click here.

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Manitoba TEFLer Found Dead in Philippines /2008/04/manitoba-tefler-found-dead-in-philippines-2/ /2008/04/manitoba-tefler-found-dead-in-philippines-2/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 07:52:00 +0000 david /2008/04/manitoba-tefler-found-dead-in-philippines-2/ A Canadian tourist was found dead in a hotel parking lot in the Philippines early this week, according to a local newspaper in Cebu City, reports Canada.com.

Police identified the person as 55-year-old Robin Cook of Virden, Manitoba, who was a guest of the hotel. His body was discovered at 5 a.m. local time Monday. Investigators believe Cook fell from the roof of the four-storey hotel. A chair was found near the roof’s railing and police have not ruled out suicide or foul play. Cook had been teaching English as a second language in the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, and other places.

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Asia TEFL Headlines /2008/03/asia-tefl-headlines/ /2008/03/asia-tefl-headlines/#comments Wed, 19 Mar 2008 11:30:00 +0000 david /2008/03/asia-tefl-headlines/ Korea: Korean Students Undaunted by Body English Brouhaha

Koreans studying here find the conditions ideal for them to learn English as a second language, said a top official of the Bureau of Immigration. “The country’s cost of quality education and its foreigner-friendly immigration policies are attracting more Koreans to visit and enroll in Philippine schools,” Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said yesterday, amid the furor involving a beauty pageant winner caught on television recently over a slip of the tongue.

Read the full story…

Taiwan: MOE denies endorsing any English certification system

The Ministry of Education (MOE) denied yesterday that it has endorsed any particular language learning and certification programs in Taiwan. The officials made the statements in response to advertisements placed in local newspapers by an institution claiming its “global English certification program” has the recognition and endorsement of the MOE.

Read the full story…

India: Agra moving to English via Hinglish

People are queuing up to enrol their children in English medium schools and Hinglish tabloids are flying off the newsstands in the city of the Taj as society here – like in much of India’s cities – undergoes a transition from having a minority of English speakers to a large number of those keen on learning the world’s most spoken language.

Read the full story…

Japan: Making English Work:Study a ‘Hobby’ for Shin-Idemitsu Boss

This column features interviews with professionals who use English in their jobs, experts and others interested in the language in the hope of offering insights into learning the language. Company Chairman Yutaka Idemitsu starts his day by studying English for an hour after rising at 5 a.m.–a practice that he has maintained for nearly two decades.

Read the full story…

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TEFL News from around the World /2008/03/tefl-news-from-around-the-world/ /2008/03/tefl-news-from-around-the-world/#comments Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:30:00 +0000 david /2008/03/tefl-news-from-around-the-world/ South Korea: The Korea Times – English Education Needs to Start at Earlier Ages

The English frenzy in Korea has produced many popular teachers who are good at helping students get higher scores in English tests. A famous former English instructor says some of these “star teachers” are misleading English learners. Read the full story…

China: Livemint – Beijing Games: English on a winning streak

Come August, and all eyes will turn towards Beijing, the venue of the 2008 Olympics. The question we ask ourselves will be whether the US will retain its supremacy in the medal tally, or make way for China, which is competing on home ground. Whoever wins the most laurels, there will be one champion who will come out victorious: the English language. Read the full story…

New Zealand: The New Zealand Times – Teachers in a tizz: is texting destroying the English language?

EAST Auckland teachers are divided over whether texting is changing the younger generation’s approach to English. Read the full story…

South Korea: The Dong-a – Native English Teachers Speak Out on Education Plan

What do native English speakers who teach their language in Korea think about the incoming government’s plan to bolster English education, including the proposed introduction of English immersion classes? Read the full story…

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Educators Urge Professionalism in English Teaching /2008/02/educators-urge-professionalism-in-english-teaching/ /2008/02/educators-urge-professionalism-in-english-teaching/#comments Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:23:00 +0000 david /2008/02/educators-urge-professionalism-in-english-teaching/ An article in the Korea Times notes the need for professional qualifications:

English educators have stressed the need for professional qualifications in the ‘art’ of English teaching if teachers are to help students learn the language in an effective way. They said the presidential transition team’s plan to hire skill-based teachers disregards the rule that there is an art to teaching. A fluent language skill is not enough for educators as English teaching is much more than supplying information, they said.

Read the full article here.

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