Ban Phe Program FAQs
Questions about Ban Phe
What is an average program day like? What's the schedule?
Class time is generally 9:00 am to 4:45 pm, with mid morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch break. For approximately two weeks, you will be preparing to teach—learning all of the things you need to know in order to be successful in the classroom. For the other two weeks, you will actually be teaching each morning and preparing your materials in the afternoons. The initial orientation is usually on Sunday evening prior to the course start date at 6:00 p.m. The first class will take place Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. The course schedule for the will be provided on Monday morning. Sessions generally run between 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. with appropriate breaks. The songtaew transportation shuttle departs at 8:00 a.m. on days when there is outside teaching practice unless you are notified otherwise.
How many students enroll in the course each month?
The maximum class size in the Ban Phe course is 32, however it is split up into two groups. Normally we've been having somewhere around twenty trainees, with ten per group. Most of the participants are American, British, Canadian or Australian, although we do accept non-native speakers of English who have a high proficiency in the language.
Are there any special dress requirements?
Men: No need for a suit and tie, but something other than jeans. Button- down shirts, nice shoes that aren't trainers/sneakers - something you'd wear to a job interview, "business-casual." Women: Shoulders should be covered; sleeveless shirts are acceptable, but very thin straps or tank tops are not. No low-cut necklines or very short skirts. Bare midriffs are not acceptable, even when lifting up arms. Open-toed shoes are acceptable.
Are there any beaches near the school?
For the best and cleanest beaches in the area, head to the left, away from the Ban Phe shopping area. The 10 miles of beaches here are not frequented by tourists (but are very popular with Thais) and are not raked on a daily basis. The water is very nice and the banana boats are fun! Even better is Samet Island with its world famous white sand, located only 30 minutes away by ferry boat.
Does TEFL International offer any sort of flight discounts to Thailand?
While TEFL International is not involved directly with flights and travel arrangements we would like to recommend STA Travel for all of your travel needs. They offer competitive rates, flexible return flights, and travel insurance. Please visit them at www.statravel.com/teflcourse for more information.
What is the job market like in Thailand right now?
The TEFL job market in Thailand is excellent at the moment. Finding employment is only difficult if you wait until the last day of the course to begin looking. With just a little patience, you will certainly locate work in no time, usually in the area of your choice. We suggest you begin setting up interviews and sending resumes in the second or third week of the course.
What will TEFL International do to help me secure employment?
We can provide you a list of schools in Thailand or in the location of your choice. We also offer a number of "help sessions" covering accommodation, resume-CV preparation, and interviewing and visa information. We guarantee job placement assistance, but please note that TEFL International doesn't 'guarantee' its graduates employment in Spain; it is ultimately up to you to "sell yourself" to a school, as they say.
What is the average salary for teachers?
The average salary in Thailand is about 25,000 to 35,000 baht per month, though of course this varies depending on what type of school or company you work for and whether you work full or part-time.
What is the climate in Ban Phe?
The climate in Ban Phe is very tropical-like, with three distinct seasons: Hot from March through May, rainy from June through October, and cool from November through February. Average daily temperatures throughout the year are around a warm and pleasant 27°C. Even in the rainy season, the rainfall is brief and the rest of the day is normally clear and sunny. As this description is an average, we highly recommend that you check current weather conditions prior to departure to assist you in your travel preparations.