Teach Travel Asia Report – October 2011
Excited kids on their way to the camp stations to start the Teach Travel Asia English Camp.Group and Logistics
The October TESOL group included the following Adventure seekers:
- Rene Roux
- Hugo Lambrechts
- Sean Paice
- Lisa Kruger
- Michael Bihl
- Enes Mbewu
- Promise Masokameng
- Karen Barkley
- Natalie Stanley
- Johannes Prinsloo
Our October Teachers outside our partner school in Hua Hin.Overview
The October group arrived in Thailand between October the 8th and 9th. Students were picked up at the airport and taken to a hotel in Bangkok. They travelled via mini-bus to Hua-Hin on the 10th. All students stayed at the Baan Ton Mai accommodation. They all chose to hire motorcycles. They were then taken open up their bank accounts. The students did some shopping and were then taken back to thier accommodation. The Tuesday (11th) was spent at leisure in order for them to familiarize themselves with their new surroundings. The course started on the 12th October. The remainder of the week was spent on the Thai culture and language course.
An introductory dinner was held at the Teach Travel Asia school. Teach Travel Asia arranged an excursion to volunteer at the Hutsadin Elephant Foundation on October 16th. The Hutsadin Elephant foundation is a non-profit organization that takes in and cares for old or abused elephants. All but two students joined us. Karen and Melissa were ill and could not attend. The Hutsadin Elephant foundation is another non-profit organization with whom Teach Travel Asia are in partnership with. The work that we as Teach Travel Asia and our students do there is 100% voluntary. Yet another great cause.
On Thursday October 27th we had another dinner at the Teach Travel Asia school. We had a special guest visiting from the USA. Teach Travel Asia’s presentation and dinner was a huge success.
At the end of the course, the students completed the practical training portion of the course, which entailed real experience teaching Thai school children with Teach Travel Asia instructors grading the students. Teach Travel Asia held a two day English camp on November 3rd and 4th.
Placement
Placement has been slowed somewhat by the school holidays and flooding in Thailand as most schools have ben closed. Schools are now slowly starting to open again and most of the applicants are placed.
Natalie Stanley presents a lesson on Time.
Enes Mbewu goes through the pronunciation of different types of fruit.Student Feedback and Evaluations
At the end of each course, we ask students to fill out course evaluation forms. This is done to help us see where there is room for improvement. This is the feedback we have recieved from these evaluations:
What, if anything, would you have improved on the course?
- Visit the school in the first or second week of the course. This will assist students [teachers in training] in lesson planning and preparation.
- Arrange another camp day in the second week to prepare for the final camp.
What other types of training do you feel should be made available?
- More practical training earlier in the class
Is there anything else you would like to know?
- More clarity on placement procedures and requirements
- A real breakdown of the cost of living in Thailand
We would like to make special note of the fact that we did not get a single Average or Poor rating on the evaluation forms so these categories were not added to the graphs.
Improvements Made or Planned as a Result of Issues and Feedback
- Teach Travel Asia will now provide a comprehensive presentation on interview strategies and tips for all future classes. In the past our students were informed about the procedures of placement meetings and how to prepare for them, however more focus will be put into this area.
- Teach Travel Asia has now strengthened our school network as a result of the schools and our new Emailer that has lead to a widening of our network.
- While students liked the accommodations overall they felt that it was a little too far from the school. Teach Travel Asia has looked for other accommodations and have found accommodation that is slightly more expensive. We are considering adding this to the next course as a potential option for accommodation.
Melissa Voigt gives a great class while the lead trainer, Jaco Kleinloog, compiles his evaluation.
Karen Barkley innovates with an active language learning game.Student Testimonials
Certainly not enough can ever be said about the friends I have made during the course. Perhaps in my case it was a stroke of luck, but I have met some amazing people. I find that instead of homesickness I am suffering from a longing to do the course all over again.
To be frank, the folks at Teach Travel Asia hold your hand all the way until you’re ready to take on Thailand with confidence. The Teach Travel Asia crew went beyond the call of duty to ensure our safety and wellbeing. They got to know us personally, and took an active interest in our lives. They made themselves available at all hours, and did their best to help us find our feet and fight our homesickness. This past month has honestly been one of the greatest experiences of my life. And now, thanks to Teach Travel Asia, I am only going on towards even greater experiences. - Michael Bihl (October TESOL Student)
Our TESOL students pose for a group photo after receiving their certificates.
Course Issues
- One of the students from our previous course had not yet been placed due to a combination of the floods as well as the long school holiday. Teach Travel Asia assisted him with a housing allowance and he is scheduled to go to another placement meeting within the week.
- Another of our former students from the previous course had been placed in his first week, however due to the fact that he will only start once the flooding subsides, he has also been assisted with a housing allowance by Teach Travel Asia.
- Sean Paice, Lisa Kruger and Michael Bihl went to interviews in Bangkok in their second week of the TESOL course. They were not prepared for their interviews and failed to secure placement. Teach Travel Asia spent an afternoon training all of our students in proper interview etiquette.
One of the TESOL students, Lisa, plays an interactive game with the kids.
