Thread: Tefl Horror Story

I have recently done a TEFL class run by a private concern in Chiang Mai Thailand.
My experience was extremely unsatisfactory. Here a few of the details. I now see the importance of checking out any school you plan on enrolling in. These folks really conned me. Not a good feeling, trust me.

I am a teacher/tutor with 40 years of experiece and excellent recommendatiions from the educational community.

So here goes
I just ended at TEFL experiece with what I believe was a bit of an egomaniac. He did have an impressive resume and was quite full of himself. I believe he was a good con man. Cost $600 for two weeks of private tutoring. I was told that CELTA was the sponsor – I have since found out this is not the case.

I probably did not have sufficient grammatical background to take this class. However there was no testing or evaluation up front to determine whether or not the class, as it was designed, was right for me. The only evaluation was as a meeting with A and B, his partner a few times. They were clearly eager to get me signed up but not so vigilant in terms of making sure this would be the right class for me. They both seemed to think it would be a good experience for me. It has not been a good experience.

A exhibited several unprofessional behaviours during our sessions. The sessions were an exercise in frustration. He was rarely there on time and I got many messages indicating they would be late. There was always a good excuse. I had a great deal of trouble working with A. The sessions generally lasted a two or three of hours even though five hours were promised. Much of the time was spent in idle conversation not on task. I was told this was Thai time.

A seemed very frustrated with my inability to understand what he had to say. He was teaching well above my level of understanding. I am a senior citizen and have not been in a classroom situation in years. I chose the two week tutoring situation so that I might get some individual attention and my individual needs would be addressed. Although it got a bit better as time progressed there never was the feeling on my part that my needs were being fully considered. KISS (keep it simple stupid) was talked about but used infrequently.

During the first two days he drank beer during our tutoring session. I found this very uncomfortable and unprofessional though I did not mention it at the time. He and his girlfriend would have arguments and discussions unrelated to the tutoring in front of me. I heard too much of about the problems he was having in his work and life. I know enough that when I tutor someone I have to leave these personal matters at home. I sometimes felt I was in a dysfunctional family. He borrowed 500B from me !!!! I am still waiting for its return. I called B and requested the materials I gave to A be returned to me along with the 500B. They have not been in contact with me to date. I feel I was scammed.

I also feel I was not given the respect and recognition I deserved as a fellow educator. (I have been teaching for 40 years). I imagine he was unhappy with my progress and feeling the pressure to have me finish the class

I discussed this matter with A and B and let them know in clear terms what were my needs were in the matter. I explained that I was unconcerned about receiving a certificate but I would like to use the time to catch up in some of the area’s in which I was weak. I also explained that I was primary interested in doing one to one tutoring. I did not seem to get though to either one of them in this regard, though in our conversations B was definitely more responsive .

When I suggested that we complete the number of hours (25) still due me by meeting for a few hours every other day or at their convenience, A quickly nixed this idea. He stated that the course was not meant for this purpose and that we would have to end it in a few days because he had other obligations. This felt to me a bit unfair and I expressed this to A. A offered to discuss it. Given the treatment I had received thus far I did not feel at this point that there was much room for discussion. I left unhappy and dissatisfied and not feeling like I had been treated in a professional manner. I chose not to continue this exercise in frustration and futility.

Clearly this all could have been avoided if there had been some sort of screening procedure in place. We both would have seen that I did not have the skills necessary to do the class. I could have walked out of there a happy man and $600 or so to the better. Again a more professional way to do things.

Sometimes I felt that I had to live up to A’s standard rather than listen to my own needs in the matter. This caused me to feel very tense and anxious in his presence. .Rarely if at all was I asked how things were going. Remember, this is a one on one learning situation. I have been involved in this activity for 40 years myself teaching mathematics. I often check in with my students (adults and kids) to see how it is going with them.

Just to reiterate my main concern. The need for some sort of evaluative procedure so that one can tell whether he belongs in this class is vital. And finally, in the absence of such a procedure a bit more flexibility and understanding in terms of scheduling tutoring sessions to meet each students needs more fully.

So I got about half of the hours I was promised and left very frustrated and angry at the way I was treated. I am convinced that their concern was more with the money I could provide rather than my success as an student in TEFL. It is my intention to report this to the tourist or regular police and any place else that is appropriate.



Anyone else have any other idea’s or want the particulars. Let me know

WRLDTR1@HOTMAIL.COM

Thanks
Walt

You took a course in a country where lying and cheating is normal, and where consumers have minimal protection, especially foreigners. If a TEFL school lies to you or cheats you, try taking legal action. You'll get nowhere.

The courses are no cheaper here than in the west, so why bother? Uncle Phil wants you to, as does LDMA and kenkannif, because these three clowns make money from sales of TEFL courses in Thailand.

Uncle Phil is reading this thread now, within minutes of its creation, because he fears loss of readies, something he'd never stand for. So, stand by for demands to get in contact with him privately, control your postings, or sod off. Phil needs TEFL course readies.

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Wally,
Im seriously wondering if your first mistake was leaving home.

Maybe it's a full moon tonight, Phil? Could it have something to do with Friday the 13th?

Why would we write anything at all .. your last crisis you didn't bother to respond ..You just abandoned your thread

Originally Posted by Bangkok Phil

Sometimes the urge to pull the trigger just eats away at you I guess.

No, Phil, don't! Let the hatred which is eating this guy up, amuse us a few minutes longer.

OK, gotcha.

Is that 10 posts under each of his nicks?

If it is, I gotta feeling it may be a long night of gunfire!

Originally Posted by teechajames

a country where lying and cheating is normal

must be great to live in a country with no lying and cheating eh smeg?

I still don't get it: Was Wally a student there?
Who are these guys "A & B"?
Was Wally a teacher at the "TEFL class", I mean with 40 years experience
Wally must be a professor by now, eh?

Originally Posted by Wally1k1

I have recently done a TEFL class run by a private concern in Chiang Mai Thailand.

Originally Posted by Wally1k1

I discussed this matter with A and B and let them know in clear terms what were my needs were in the matter. I explained that I was unconcerned about receiving a certificate but I would like to use the time to catch up in some of the area’s in which I was weak.