Hi from a Newbie with a loose career change plan!
Yo gang,
I've been silently stalking the forum on and off for a while now so just thought I'd (finally) say HI to you all.
I'm 28, BA & MA in hand, planning on coming over to take a CELTA in Chiang Mai in November, if things go to plan. Hoping for a long-term career change from my dreadfully dull student support job to teaching young'uns English... presuming, of course, that I'm any good at it!
Anyone already in CM and/or recently taken the CELTA there? Initial idea would be to take the YL extension as well - a good plan or waste of money?
I've no formal teaching experience (though was TA in a primary school), never been to Thailand, and don't really know what to expect (except for some serious head-down studying during my CELTA month) so I guess my first question is this: I'll finish my course in the beginning of December, what are the chances of me being able to land a half-decent job? I've understood that December isn't a particularly good time to find work in Thailand and although I'll have some savings to fall back on, not being able to get work is a worry.
Any advice or suggestions?
Give it a whirl - without the CELTA. See if you like it. You should get a job right away!Originally Posted by sasperella42
I had a similar plan and then took a job and never looked back.
Life can be really good in Thailand! I'm quite happy on less than 40,000 Baht working 2 jobs.
Got a decent condo for $ 100 and broadband for $ 12. A small motorcycle gets me around which can be bought new for a month's salary. Am eating delicious meals for 25-40 Baht in humble restaurants.
Where in Thailand would you like to live?
Chris
Book that flight, bro.
...if you view your Thai experience as a sort of work holiday to gain classroom experience, it's a good plan...if you're thinking of working here as the start of a career in teaching, it's self-defeating...your MA will be more appreciated in your home country than it is here...
...majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd...
Cheers for the responses you lot!
WITHOUT the CELTA?! I love that idea from a money-saving persepctive but I don't think I'm ballsy enough to blag my way into a teaching career without knowing HOW TO TEACH! Which is the point of the CELTA? Or am I being naive?
As for where - honestly don't know. Initial impressions are that I'm not fussed about being in Bangkok, though that could easily change. I guess I'll do some exploring when I get there and decide off the back of that plus work availability. I mostly just want a good school, good company, chilled surroundings, and fair wages. The usual, I guess!
I'm on it!Book that flight, bro.
It's a bit of both, really: if I wanted to teach Secondary or A-Level then things might be different, but I want to teach Primary. I can't do that with just the MA and I'm in NO WAY able to afford the costs of a PGCE. I could take the GTP route (work-based, paid) but it wouldn't allow me to teach abroad like the PGCE would - and being able to teach overseas and see different parts of the world/different kinds of lives is kinda the plan. So the next solution is doing it all the other way around: teaching abroad first, developing some teaching skills, then maybe going back to the UK and doing a GTP? Who knows. Depends on how everything goes...
Any idea about work availability in Dec/Jan?
Work in Dec-Jan = possible but SLIM. You will be competing with a lot of really cheap labor (KSR backpackers looking to extend their stay in the sun and willing to work for little more than room and board) for the few jobs that are out there.
Either plan to be here in late Oct (2nd term starts at the end of Oct or 1st week of Nov) or save it for April.
CELTA = waste of money if you are looking at getting into primary schools.
If you had what it took to get a MA then:
ElbitZ.NET, Your Online Learning Center :: Login (torrent site for e-books and learning materials)
Google ,
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. ,
Teachers TV - Schools ,
K-12 Education & Learning Innovations with Proven Strategies that Work | Edutopia ,
etc are a better way to spend your time.
You don't need the CELTA to learn how to do a lesson plan.
.
I disagree with the notion the period just after hiring season is the wrong time to find a job. In fact it is just about prime time. At least it was for me on two occasions. There are runners and no-shows and if you're there on site you stand a better chance then anyone on the CVs they're desperately sifting through.
Is CELTA geared for teaching young learners?
No, the TABC certificate is good enough.
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults...
.
Cheers for the links, ttompatz, and the recommendation to hold off until April. I do want to be off sooner than that ideally (worried that if I keep puting it off I'll never bloody leave!) but I guess that would give me time to get some better classroom experience so I wouldn't feel quite so much like I need the security of the CELTA... Will have a think about that one.
I know the CELTA is focused on teaching to adults but I'd got the impression that a newbie coming out to Thailand ought to have certification of some kind to put them ahead of their competitors - and that the CELTA was pretty highly respected. I need to be able to get work, and want to do whatever I can to improve my chances, so figured I'd do the CELTA plus YL extension and be ready to teach ANYONE, ANYWHERE, ANY TIME.
Having said all that, I have no experience to go on. My plan is based on guesswork. Ideas and improvements welcome!
'scuse my ignorance but what's the TABC? Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission? *crosses fingers*
Do the CELTA, it will prepare you well not matter what level you teach and it will give you confidence as well.
It will also put you ahead of those with unaccredited international certificates
Odi et amo. Quare id faciam, fortasse requiris? Nescio, sed fieri sentio et excrucior.
Teaching the ABCs
Wow you're really forging a path through life aren't you?
OP aim high while in CM. The wages are crap and you'll just be treading water. If you only plan on staying a year or 2 then fine, but long term it's not the place to be. Neither is Thailand for that matter, unless you're already financially secure to some degree. At your age you can give things a whirl, buit you should be looking at certificates which will open other doors in other lands.
Those that want to read whatever they can want all freedoms, but have to understand they can have freedom, but it must be within the law.
Plenty of private language schools hiring all year round so you should have no problem finding work although Chiang Mai is a tougher market than Bangkok.
"Always forgive your enemies -- Nothing annoys them so much !"
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