Doing the TESOL Certificate at TEFL International, Phuket has been one of the most rewarding, yet challenging things I have ever done. I am a mature age student who made the decision to have not only a career change, but a life change at the same time.

I chose to study for my TESOL Certificate in Phuket, Thailand because I came here for a holiday and like so many others fell in love with the country immediately and decided to come back and hopefully live and work in Phuket.

Since arriving in Phuket I have been staying at Roongrawee Mansion, a hotel a short walk from the college. We only had a small group on this course, starting out with fourteen students, however after two weeks two students left to complete the course on-line, so we have completed the course with only twelve students. The majority of students are much younger than myself, but I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to do the course with. Having such a great rapport with all of them has made the course experience that much more enjoyable.

The trainers and in fact all of the staff at the college here in Phuket are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. Having never taught previously, I was quite apprehensive about the whole teaching idea. However, we were all made to feel comfortable and at ease immediately. After observing a couple of lessons with experienced teachers, students are then expected to teach within a few days of starting the course. This was quite a daunting prospect for me, but I absolutely loved it and once I got over my initial nerves found that teaching is thoroughly enjoyable and I knew immediately that this was something I could do and do very well!!

All classes taught by students are observed by the trainers at the college and after each lesson taught, excellent constructive and positive feedback is given to the students. I found this to be extremely valuable advice that will assist me wherever and whenever I am teaching. The more lessons the students teach, the less assistance is given by the trainers, so within a very short time students are preparing lesson plans unassisted. I found this to be an excellent method of training to be a teacher and it certainly ensures you are thinking on your feet as well as being creative and imaginative.

From a personal perspective, I think the course content is excellent and the college provide everything you require whilst on the course, including resources and materials you may need. During the course we were required to do a Student Profile on a non-English speaking person, a Materials Project which involved creating a game and also write some journals. Once again, as I hadn’t had any teaching experience, all of this was very new to me, but I managed to do everything expected of me quite competently due to the great assistance and advice given by the staff at the college and the resources provided.

When I arrived in Phuket my aim was to pass my TESOL Certificate and then live and work in Phuket. With the assistance of everyone at TEFL International, Phuket I am sure I will achieve my goal and have a very rewarding experience in Thailand.

There is nothing more enjoyable than seeing your students walk out of the classroom happy, laughing and knowing that they have learnt something during your lesson!!!

Tania Webber
29/08/2007