Day 1 of teaching:

Well, it is finally here. I finished my TEFL certificate last week and start my first teaching job here in Bangkok tomorrow!!! I'll be teaching kindergarten at a school that I really like (I won't disclose where but it's a good school and the kids are too cute!). I can't wait for tomorrow! I am nervous and excited, but in a good way. The only negative is I'm basically on the other side of BKK until I move this weekend, so I'll be leaving here around 6:00 AM!!! That is SO early!

I'm shadowing the other kindergarten teacher for a few days to get a feel for things and then I'll be let loose with my teaching assistant. I am not sure what to expect...AT ALL! I have the class schedule per week but haven't received books or materials to begin my lesson plans. It will all work out though, I'm sure of it! Wish me luck!

TEFL school...all work and a little play!

Well, I'm reaching the end of TEFL school to get my official teaching certificate. It's come and gone so quickly. I actually enjoyed it for the most part, although the amount I have actually learned is yet to be determined. I have definitely changed over the course of the 4 weeks, I get up in front of the class for presentations with little to no nervousness which is a HUGE step from the beginning. My very first presentation my teacher said that he was scared because I wasn't even breathing in between sentences. I definitely am breathing now! I've also slowed down my rate of speech drastically. It's amazing to see how each of us has changed, it's really a great thing to watch. Everyone has improved and I think we're all going to make great teachers. Here are some pictures from our class. We do work, but we also find time to play. All photos are courtesy of a classmate, Art Brondo. Thanks Art! :)

TEFL School: Week One

Well, I finally started school to get my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate this week. I was very reluctant to start school, didn't want to at all but knew that I had to. I was dreading it because it's 90% public speaking which makes my stomach turn. However, I had to suck it up and go to class on Monday.

I decided to try and change myself completely for this situation. I mean, I'm in Thailand. What do I have to lose? So when our teacher asked about 5 minutes into class for a volunteer for some unknown assignment, I raised my hand. Something I'd NEVER EVER EVER do in America. It ended up being really easy and was a nice way to break the ice. We did that and then did some basic school work that day, but we also got our first assignment that was due on Wednesday: a 10 minute presentation on anything. I chose SEC football, the love of my life. I actually contemplated not going to class on Wednesday because I was so nauseous about it. Even though I was terrified, I went to class and volunteered second. My teacher told me that I speak entirely too fast, which I already knew, and that he was scared because I never took any breaths. Typical me. Basically the rest of the week after that presentation made me feel better. It was all downhill from there.

My class is amazing though. I really love the people in it! There were 18 of us to start (although one guy dropped out). There are only 3 females, which is interesting. This is probably because men tend to come to Thailand for the women so I guess I should expect to be outnumbered. We have SO many different countries represented, it is absurd! There is an English guy that was born in Africa, an Australian, a guy from New Zealand, a few Americans (one is a Florida Gators fan, don't get me started), a girl from Scotland, a guy from Wales, a guy from India, a couple of guys from Singapore, a guy originally from the Ukraine who has been living in the US, two French guys, and I believe that is all, although I've probably forgotten a country. It is amazing being in a room for the same reason with all those different people. I LOVE IT! Our teacher is also from South Africa, and his accent reminds me of Matt Damon from Invictus! It's amazing though and I love every minute of learning from all these different cultures and backgrounds. Everyone is generally pretty hilarious too. Being in a room with all that testosterone brings up talk of prostitutes, ladyboys, drugs, and alcohol but it is all generally in good fun and gets us all laughing.

Well, unfortunately, I have less time for blog writing since we have weekly presentations and tests and I have one tomorrow. I have no idea what it is over so I'm hoping I do well. I will try to update about school and the fun things I get to do on the weekends as much as I can, but I promise I won't neglect my blog too much! :) After all, just going to class every day with so many different people is an adventure.

(Note: the picture is just a woman walking down my soi. I thought she was pretty cool.)

Interested in Teaching Abroad?

Are you interested in teaching abroad for a year? Have you considered Taiwan? Read this article and learn how you can get an interview with Hess Educational Organization in Taiwan.

BANGKOK bound!

Well, after a lot of thought and difficulty, I turned down the very gracious offer from HESS this morning. HESS is the school in Taiwan that seems pretty amazing, they have a great support system for their teachers and even teach programs in culture shock. It was such a hard decision for me because the contract was great and the school was great. I started researching Taiwan and just couldn't see myself living there. I'd be on an island so travel would be much more difficult than in Bangkok. Even just looking at the pictures of Taiwan it seems so much less vivid than Bangkok. My mind is made up. My flight is book. My down payment on school is complete. My life is changing... I am moving to Bangkok, Thailand in 46 days and could NOT be happier! :) Thank you GOD! Can't wait to eat some interesting foods and do some traveling!!!!!

Thailand...or Taiwan?

Now to throw even more confusion into all of this, I had formed a backup plan to going to Thailand (due to political turmoil). The second country on my list to travel to was Taiwan. I chose Taiwan mainly because it is an island and the weather doesn't seem to get below 55 (which is actually even colder than I'd like!). So I began researching Taiwan and a really good school there, HESS.

HESS is a free school that has a very rigorous application and interview process but if they like you, they offer you a one year contract somewhere in Taiwan. You have options for different contracts based on the amount of hours and age groups you would like to work with. I definitely want to work with little kids...I think. I guess that's not definite :).

The good thing about this school is you have a constant support system around you and since I am going alone, that is really important to me. They pick you up at the airport and pay for your hotel accommodations while in training. The training programs are all free (there is even a course on culture shock). There is a big difference between this program and Text and Talk in Thailand, they do not give you your TEFL certificate until your one year is up.

I have already completed the online applications and paperwork and had my telephone interview last night. It went really well and got me really interested in HESS. The lady I spoke with had been through the program herself and gave me some great advice. My favorite piece of advice was that you might not realize how slowly you have to speak or how much you have to tone down your language and word usage - especially with the younger children. This is something I never would have thought of and I'm so glad she gave me this advice, among other things.

I'm now incredibly confused because my heart was set on Thailand but now I'm realizing just how great this school in Taiwan is. I feel torn. But I can't jump the gun, I haven't even received a job offer from HESS but today I began hardcore Taiwan research. Hopefully, my heart will lead the way, but as of now it still wants to see me in Bangkok.

Wish me luck!

The Dates They Are A-Changin'...

After going back and forth with myself numerous times, I have decided to wait until August to try and make my journey to Bangkok. This could all change again...we will be keeping a close eye on the political situation there as well as continuing to speak with locals. I will begin school at Text and Talk on August 16 and instead of taking the 4 week course, I will stay in school a couple of weeks longer for the 6 week course. These next couple of months will also be helpful so that I can earn some more money and have a little more of a cushion while I'm not making any money in school.

I'm still worried about what's going on over there but I'm hoping that things settle down before August. Some pictures that I see are amazing with literally thousands of soldiers lining the streets. There are people in Bangkok that are being optimistic that an ending to this will be soon so all I can do is hope!