In one of our recent Thai Language and Culture classes, which are a part of our TEFL teacher training course, our students were introduced to the amazing variety of tropical fruits found in Thailand. The class covered not only the fruit names and how to select the best fruit, but also how to haggle with fruit sellers. The class also practiced their Thai language skills through some role-playing about fruit shopping. Then, the best part… each fruit was “opened” – peeled, cut, seeded and everyone enjoyed a fresh and delicious second breakfast.

The students found that using actual mangos, pineapples, lychees, watermellon, coconuts, Thai Kiwis, papayas, rambutans and pomellos made for a delicious way to experience the Thai language in action. Plus it was fun to demystify the bounty of food so readily available every day and to learn to to shop, prep and enjoy with confidence.

This is a key principal of teaching English in Thailand to Thai people or anywhere. Rather than having a more sterile approach to teaching English, we encourage our trainees to use realia – actual items – to assist the student in learning the language. As a TEFL student, you will experience this: that learning by doing is the best way. You’ll learn how to create engaging and fun situations for your students to practice their skills and they will gain confidence in actually using English in real situations.

Plus, this method is fun: mistakes are made and easily corrected in a gentle and safe environment for the student with lots of laughter. Again, here are a couple of culturally-oriented principles of our course and imparting effective teaching skills to you. The Asian concept of “face saving” (avoiding the generation of embarrassment in others) is easy to manage in a more relaxed, playful situation. For Thai people, Sanook (fun) is a cornerstone of life. If it is not fun, we find that the Thai people lose interest quickly and having fun in your English classes will be a central part of your English teaching career in Thailand.

You’ll discover that in teaching English in Thailand, you’ll need the skills of a game show host just as much (maybe more) as those of a seasoned grammarian.

So, if you are ready to switch into a more fun way of making your living in a beautiful country surrounded by gentle and kind people, drop us a line or visit our enroll page to get started.

We have some fruit with your name on it!

]]> http://www.phuket-anna.com/teaching-english/postname%/feed/ 0 http://www.phuket-anna.com/tefl-training-in-thailand/postname%/ http://www.phuket-anna.com/tefl-training-in-thailand/postname%/#comments Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:48:02 +0000 admin http://www.phuket-anna.com/?p=11 Why is Thailand Southeast Asia’s most popular tourist destination?

First, visitors are wowed by the “Land of 1000 Smiles.” The Thai culture is soaked in a mai bpen rai attitude – what’s that? Like the Australian “No Worries,” the Thai have a laid back sensibility that allows them to let go of little problems and to face greater challenges with ease.

Then there is the history, terrain and culture. Thailand is sprinkled with architectural wonders, amazing shopping malls, sun-drenched beaches and secluded islands, delectable food and drink, quaint hill villages and the magnificence of ancient ruins.

She offers white, sandy beaches and gentle, clear seas of the island speckled south and gorgeous, mountain scenery and timeless way of life found among hill tribes in the north. Given this contrast with the energy and activity of the capital, Bangkok, with it’s renowned nightlife and modernity, a traveler is certain to discover a place offering what they seek.

Catering to the outdoorsy and active types, a cornucopia of activities including premier scuba diving among pristine coral reefs, trekking in the north hills, climbing among natural limestone sculpture, or quiet paddling on rivers and seas.

Standing alongside the superb natural beauty is the beauty of an ancient Buddhist culture with its wats (temples), palaces and archaeological treasures. The powerful juxtaposition of this ancient culture with a fully modern society makes Thailand a must-see destination for world travelers. Thailand is “the land of the free” – true in that Thailand has never been conquered or colonized by other countries in its 800 year history.

To see a native Thai in traditional dress puttering along on a motorbike, likely on the way to the temple is a perfect example of the adaptability of Thailand’s people. They have a gift for taking the best of foreign culture and advances while maintaining a sense of their own unique identities. Their arts are admired by people across the world. The cuisine is also a world favorite with its blend of freshness and spices.

There seems to be an almost total lack of ill-will or expression of bad feelings and this singular feature of the Thai people is their unique qualification as hospitality ambassadors to the world. This is perhaps due to their long tradition of belief in Buddhism and its tenets of peacefulness, forgiveness and compassion.

As a cultural mecca and an antidote for a harried western lifestyle, Thailand’s culture, people and places stand without peer for their sheer ability to delight. What better place could you find to enjoy yourself as you train to be an English teacher in Asia through a certified TEFL program?