Asian College of Teachers organizes TESOL Courses every month in the main cities of Thailand - Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya which are brimming with scenic and exotic places to visit, thus attracting TEFL visitors from all around the world.
Bangkok has lots to offer in terms of sightseeing. While in the city, the TEFL trainees should carry a brochure or guide map and make a point to visit the following places:
A very famous temple with the largest statute of Buddha, Wat Po temple is also famous for teaching Thai massage. Obviously, TEFL tourists too can get a Thai massage here at low prices. Please note that you should not wear short trousers or short skirts - it is offending to Buddhist religion.
Made famous by 'The Beach' movie, this is the area where all you TESOL candidates can find cheap restaurants, bars and hotels. It has a nice atmosphere. Prices start at 150 baht per night in this area. This is the place to buy cheap travel packages.
It is the largest crocodile farm in the world and very famous amongst the TEFL aspirants. You can get really close to the crocs and feed them from an overhead walkway. They also have an elephant and a monkey show.
This place is a must-visit for the TESOL trainees after they are through with their TEFL classes. Here you get to see the slimy reptiles. The place is also well known for making good anti-venom. You can also get your photo taken with a live python wrapped around you.
The largest market in the world with over 35 acres in size, you can get things here for an astonishingly pocket friendly price. The market is open only during daytime on Saturdays and Sundays and is always crowded.
After a tiring day of training and classes, you can relax and unwind by the lake at Lumpini park which is one of the largest parks in Bangkok. They can also practice Tai Chi art or feed the fish here.
This is one of the famous tourist attractions that also fascinates the TEFL aspirants to a great extent. They mainly sell fruits and vegetables. If you are going to the floating market then make a point to visit the Rose Garden as well. The Rose Garden is a cultural place where you can spend an entire day. This is the place where you get to see elephant shows, maybe a traditional Thai marriage and a mock bout of Thai boxing.
Besides everything else, you can check out the various museums in Bangkok but the best among them is the Forensic Museum. The horrific things like deformed and severed limbs available in the museum evoke great interest among visitors.
The largest animal world in South East Asia and a must visit place for the TEFL aspirants, Safari World is a place visited by both elders and children having a huge collection of animal species. You can actually see them feeding during the designated time slots. The place lives up to its reputation of being the largest theme park in Thailand. There is also the Marine Park which houses rare marine species and also the playful dolphins. A must visit place for every foreigner.
You will find a wide variety of interesting and serene temples that are a unique feature of Chiang Mai amidst other interesting places. Wat Phra Singh, Wat Suan Dok, Wat Chiang Man, Wat Chedi Luang, Wat Ku Tao, Wat Chet Yot are some of the finest examples of Chiang Mai temples with exquisite wood carvings and murals and a scripture repository with striking relics. You would really miss a great deal of Chiang Mai if they do not stop by at these temples.
The Chiang Mai museum, beside Wat Chet Yot, contains Lannatai works of art, ancient Buddha images and war weapons. You can visit the museum which is open daily, except Mondays and Tuesdays, from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00.
The Institute on the Chiang Mai University campus, located about 5km from the city, has a permanent exhibition of artefacts for tourists and is open from Mon-Fri, 8:30 - 12:00 and 13:00 - 16:30.
As a TEFL student, you can find different kinds of tropical trees and flowers at this attractively landscaped garden near Chiang Mai University.
Every TEFL trainee should go to the zoological gardens, next to the Chiang Mai Arboretum, where you would find a collection of Asian and African mammals and birds on display.
HuaiKaeo Falls near Chiang Mai Zoo, is a popular spot for picnics amongst TEFL trainees.
Khruba Srivichai Monument: The Huai Kaeo Falls was built to commemorate Khruba Srivichai who initiated a plan to construct a hillside road for cars and people to the monastery on Suthep Mountain. It is an interesting place to visit for the TEFL candidates.
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep on Suthep Mountain, overlooking the city from its forested backdrop, is one of Chiang Mai's most important landmarks. It dates from 1383 and has holy Buddha relics in its golden pagoda. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world visit throughout the year. To reach it, one can chose the hard way and climb a steep Naga staircase comprising around 300 steps; the less energetic may ascend by funicular cars. You must visit this place which is considered to be the best part about Chiang Mai.
Phu Phing Palace Phu on Doi Buak Ha, was built in 1962. The nicely landscaped grounds are open to the public on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, provided members of the Thai Royal family are not staying there at that time.
Phuket is Thailand's largest island, and arguably the most famous as well. The scintillating beaches of Phuket beckons you to spend an enchanting short and relaxing holiday with azure waters, sandy beaches, spicy Thai cuisine combined with excellent snorkelling and diving experiences, together, creates the appeal. Phuket Island has many interesting places to visit, many of which are easily commutable by bikes or car. Some attractions deserving special mention are listed below:
More than one hundred species of sea life are on display at the aquarium, many of them taken from the waters around Phuket. Open daily, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., the island's extreme southeast; admission is 5 baht for children and 20 baht for adults. A Songthaew (local bus) can be taken from the TaladSoht, or Fresh Market.
You can get a great view of Phuket Town, the southern part of the island, and some of the offshore islands, can be obtained by going to the top of Kao Rang Hill, on the city's northwest. There are also several restaurants featuring spectacular views of the city, a health park for exercise enthusiasts, and a comfortable, and expanse of grass for picnickers at the top with a bronze statue of Phraya Ratsadanupradit, the model Governor of Phuket during King Rama V's reign.
If you want to see water commercial trading and seafood tender of Phuket and also witness the many styles of Thai Boat should come here about 6:30 - 7:00 AM. But the tender of seafood will open from 3:00 AM. - 9:00 PM
Perhaps the world's most valuable collection of seashells has been put on display at Phuket Seashell Museum near Rawai Beach on the island's south-western shores. The emphasis is on shells from Phuket and Thai waters which are among the most sough-after by collectors. However, shells from every part of the world are featured here, irrespective of their place of origin, each shell is the best of its type and quite often, the only of its type. Displays have been created in a logical order, and visitors can see at once differing characteristics among related species. The Shell museum is open daily from 8:00a.m. till 7:00 p.m.
Prom Thep Cape or God's Cape is a headland stretching in to the sea and forming the extreme south-end of Phuket is a prominent and the best feature of Phuket must be visited by the TEFL trainees.
From this point, you can see the picturesque views of the bays of Kata Noi, Kata, and Karon, and also Koh Poo Island. It provides one of the island's best views.
A large public ‘sala’ or shelter is there for visitors, with several vendors selling food, drinks, and souvenirs in the area when the weather is nice. The Viewpoint is between Kata and Nai Harn.
To experience a scrumptious spread of delicious local, Thai, Chinese & Muslim food and also Thai dessert, you must pay a visit to the Night Market.
Phuket Zoo It is quite appealing for tourists and TEFL candidates to watch the Thai elephant show, monkey show, crocodile show, bird etc. which prove to be a great way of spending spare time in Thailand.
It is about 8 km outside the town. Take Vichitsongkram Rd. to the Bypass Rd. and turn left this is where stands the cast statue of Luang Phor Chaem, the one who helped the people of Phuket put down the Ahngyee or Chinese Coolie Rebellion in 1876 during the reign of Rama V. There are also statues of Luang Phor Chuen, and Luang Phor Gloom, other monks - the abbots of the temple during later times, whose statues are generally placed there as recipients of respect and offerings by the native people.
A wasted day is a day without learning. Never cease learning, light your own will to fire your passion in learning. Make learning your reason to wake up early in the morning. Each day is a brand-new start to learn again, and to do greater things. Never think that learning is boring, least interesting, and expensive. According to Benjamin Franklin, "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest".
This course gives me an opportunity to enhance my teaching ability. First, the materials and the lessons provided are very useful.The course provides teaching approaches and relevant techniques which I can apply to class. Second, my coordinator - Annie Joseph is extremely nice. I really appreciated her priceless comments and feedback. Lastly, the online platform really fits this time. During this pandemic, it's hard to go out and study in college so studying online is the best choice. I try to study anytime I'm free. The website and the system were really supportive in which I could access all sections easily.I would have been regretful if I hadn't applied for this course.
I struggled a bit to start with but that made me sit back and really think about how I answered the questions. Some parts of the course confused me but when I asked Annie she was able to explain it clearly for me, I also have some friends here in Chaiyaphum who are teaching English as a second language and they were very helpful in advising me about different scenarios they have experienced in the classroom. I would like to add that not a single teacher over here has done a tesol course so if I choose to teach in a classroom I don't think I will have any problems.
The TESOL English language certification course from the Asian College of Teachers was comprehensive and well structured. It has given me a very solid grounding in teaching English both online and at language schools. I am working as an online teacher with Amazing Talkers and have also applied to Wall Street English to teach in Bangkok where I live.
