A question about stuff
I'm thinking of applying for a TEFAL certificate to teach english abroad. I've got a degree so I'm fairly certain I can do the course, I was just wondering wether anyone here has had any experiance/reccomendations about such courses. Any advice would be welcome. Even advice not connected to TEFAL courses, as long as it's funny or usefull.
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:15, 27 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

Do TEFAL make griddle pans?

(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:16, Reply)

I think Jamie Oliver might have gone on a Tefal course?!

(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:17, Reply)

Jamie went on a
thheeefthal course
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:22, Reply)

Hehe
That's more accurate!
(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:26, Reply)

'Tefal' sounds like the sort of mispronounciation...
.. the big-tongued git would lispingly say.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:22, Reply)

Indeed

(Flim-Flam the Magnificent "You is talking loco and I like it!", Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:26, Reply)

I know a few people who have done a TEFAL
and then slacked off abroad for a bit pretending to teach. It worked for them.
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:19, Reply)

So it's OK if you stick with it?

( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:27, Reply)

They just hit you with a Teflon frying pan.
it's a massive swizz.
( Donkey Gums @mattcomedy, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:22, Reply)

But comedy genius...
...especially when they add a 'Donngggggggggggggg' sound.
(Tugnut Ex of this parish, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:23, Reply)

It would be funnier with a sound that doesn't fit, like a trumpet parp.
I don't know why
( Donkey Gums @mattcomedy, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:27, Reply)

Swanny whistle wins the day.

( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 15:53, Reply)

I had a friend who did this years ago and then went to teach in Saudi for a lot of money.

He couldn't handle the lack of booze, the very strange oil company Americans and Brits he had to live with as he wasn't supposed to be interacting with any locals except when teaching, and the incredible boredom. He quit after only about 3 months.

I had another friend who used the degree to teach english in Japan and she loved it there.

You have to pick the right place to teach English
(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:24, Reply)

I think teaching English in Bradford would be the way to go.

( girlinthehole, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:27, Reply)

How about Newcastle (or would that be too difficult)?

(MichaelS wasn't picked again, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:31, Reply)

lolracism

( Naked Ape call me Caitlyn, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:35, Reply)

You can speed up excel macros by turning off the screen refreshes.

(PsychoChomp, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 14:28, Reply)

Actually,
that is really helpful.
Thank you.
( Larry Vest One day at a time, sweet Jesus, FFS., Mon 22 Feb 2010, 15:04, Reply)

I wanted to teach English in Japan
but even though I had a degree in Science Technologies and A-Levels in English, Drama and Psychology I had balls up at school and had a D in GCSE English so they wouldn't let me on the course until I had passed a GCSE or Equivalent "But I have an A-level English" I protested. "Tough" they responded. I got my current job instead and all my dreams were smashed. I die a little inside every day.
( Peej, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 15:09, Reply)

I thought a GCSE was less than an A level.
*is old*
( girlinthehole, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 15:12, Reply)

It is
that's my point. It didn't matter that I had the higher level because I had failed to get the first stepping stone
( Peej, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 16:07, Reply)

You might want to look into getting a TEFL certificate. Otherwise you'd be qualified to check people's tea making appliances

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 15:21, Reply)

Ahh yeah. Don't exactly know how that extra A got in there
But thanks - Clearly I'm going to have to brush up on my spelling at least!
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 18:02, Reply)

Well, Thanks guys
I'll be bearing some of the advice in mind. Especialy keeping an eye out for where I realy want to be teaching.
(Fredz A graveyard of hopes, a dump of ambition, Mon 22 Feb 2010, 18:06, Reply)

Go for it!
I got my tefl certificate about 10 years ago, never intended to go abroad with it but I've been living in Japan for the last 6 years! The course isn't too bad, some of the grammar stuff and essays take a bit of work, but the teaching itself is pretty good, especially in Japan. Be careful about the company you choose though (not just the country) as some companies will just make you parrot lessons off a sheet for a year. It's possible to find schools who let you have a bit more creativity which should stop you falling over in boredom halfway through your own lesson.
(katfink, Tue 23 Feb 2010, 9:52, Reply)

also, even if you don't make it abroad, you can earn some extra money teaching online. In your pajamas. Good luck with it!
(katfink, Tue 23 Feb 2010, 9:54, Reply)

TEFAL?
A certificate about kettles and toasters?
( idonthaveafunnynickname Drink-Aware? Sure. I'm aware I want another drink., Tue 23 Feb 2010, 12:53, Reply)