Here at Green TEFL we thought we should actually sit down with an employed teacher of Thailand. So we could hear about the highlights of living in Chiang Mai from teachers themselves. So we’ll be starting our interviews off with Kieron (Kiz) He is going into his 3^rd year with Nava School of English. So here’s how, and why, he came to settle in Thailand as an ESL teacher. 

                 “Like many of my friends and family, I was struggling to keep up with my financial debts and still be able to set aside some funds for myself. So it got me thinking where could I go to escape the pressures of the Western World? I decided on Chiang Mai but on arrival I realised the only means of income was to teach. Since I had a degree already I decided to take a TEFL course.

                 So armed with my new TEFL certificate and degree I started job hunting. Thankfully I was picked up by Nava, but after a few days of talking with the Nava teachers. I realised just how poorly the TEFL course, I paid for, equipped me to do actual REAL classroom teaching.

                With all the teachers’ complaints, of how little the most recent teachers knew considering they had TEFL training. Nava made the decision to open up their own TEFL course (Green TEFL) offering a lot more extensive teacher practice training with in REAL Thai school classrooms. Unfortunately for me I had ploughed my money into a TEFL course, which I now know, was a waste of time and energy. Luckily for me I had the support of the Nava teachers to help me become the teacher I am today.

                 As an employed English teacher now coming into my 3^rd year with Nava and the schools associated, I couldn’t stress enough the importance of a good TEFL course and how crucial it is in order to do the best job you can. Also other people might not be as lucky as I was. Unlike other TEFL courses out there, who don’t care about the results and only care about the profit they make. Green TEFL strives to make you the best teacher you can possibly be!”

The World is my Oyster!!

                                           Thailand

              “With kilometres and kilometres of road stretched out in front of me, curving and snaking through the mountains just waiting to be raced. Looking down at the jungle canopy and rural villages with the mist rolling in slowly over the treetops and roofs, how could I resist falling in love with Chiang Mai’s beautiful Mae Taeng, Samoung, Mae Hong Son and Mae Wan routes, to name a few. It’s a motorbike enthusiast’s dream. Being able to fund my love of motorbikes is also a massive bonus.

                 Cost of living in here is considerably lower than the average western country. The quality of life, the friendliness and laid back culture are amazing to be a part of. I can’t get enough of the mouth-watering flavours, spices, meats and fishes Thailand has to offer. The fact they are all fresh produce makes them so much more appetising, a nice difference from the processed food you find in my home country.

                 Being able to wake up every morning and go to do a job that I love has got to be the number 1 attraction to Thailand for me. The majority of the schools back in my home country would never have their students walk up to their teachers and ask what they are doing in the next lesson, have you had a good weekend etc. Teaching in a school in Thailand where this is an everyday occurrence. Hence why I have settled here rather than the other destinations I have visited.”

                                                  Philippines

              "I love to get away on a beach holiday as I live inland. Being able to swim in the crystal clear waters of an ocean, watching an array of fish swimming around me, weaving through my legs whilst floating on top of the waves, watching the sun go down, you can’t get much better than that. I did have to leave the sea at some point though to go and do what originally went there for, to soak up their culture.

                With their Catholic ideals and beliefs, I researched into the modern day crucifixions that still go on today. I documented my discoveries in order to take a detailed account of my findings. The culture is worlds apart from my own, but completely fascinating to have the chance to witness such a unique place to travel and live."

   

                                                  Hong Kong

                 "Very similar to London, with all the modern amenities, the biggest difference being no stress. Again like many of the Asian countries they pride themselves on staying calm, which in turn made me feel calm.

                 It had everything from city life to countryside living, beaches to mountains, big night clubs to small bars. The restaurants that served Chinese and Cantonese cuisine were favoured by me, but maybe that’s because it’s so accessible back home. Nothing beats the original dishes served in Hong Kong.

                 The weather was easily adjusted to, as it’s not too dissimilar to my home country. Just a bit warmer in the summer and a lot less miserable throughout the winter.

                 Lost? With no language barrier meant no worries!"