That’s today’s big news.  Judy and I–along with 13 other great “native English speakers”–are walking off with certificates that attest to our status as TESOL teachers.  We’ve studied grammar and phonemics and done eight hours of practice teaching.  It was a great experience!  But we most remember the people, the other students, and the excellent teaching staff.  You can meet most of them in our photos: either on a Songtaew (covered pickup truck with benches) en route to teaching practice, at Olivier’s World Cafe, or on the beach. 
There are also photos of the school with its flora and non-student fauna. As to the fauna, guess why we held geckos in such esteem. I named the one in my room Orkin.  We debated whether the rats appeared before or after the snake fried itself across a circuit breaker with a terrific bang, and decided they were there all along.  I really enjoyed the street dogs.
Judy and I were very impressed with the hugely energetic (and younger!) students. They don’t seem to be as buffeted by events as we are.  They crank up their CDs, put on their flip-flops, do their jobs well, and keep on moving.  Mighty enlightening. 
Judy and I weren’t the only Americans at the school.  There were a couple of guys from Texas, a Minnesotan, a Floridian, and a New Mexican.  The rest were basically from the UK, and some tall ones came from Australia.  Two other women students were there in addition to Judy and two women instructors.  The group was highly compatible.
Sorry for the gaping hiatus since the last update.  As we set out for Ban Phe, Judy and I envisioned the romance of a remote seaside village, of giving ourselves over to sun, salty air, and the bounty of the sea.  Yeah, we might have to do some grammar and stuff for a certification course. But we definitely didn’t expect an ongoing grind and a strong academic and practical experience.  So much for illusions.
The academic director, Dave Hopkins, was serious and demanding and wanted us to do well.  He’s been involved in teaching language-learning in countries on five continents since the 60’s, and his teaching and course materials speak the language of experience.  The two other instructors were also superb, but they have since left. The opportunity for student teaching was exceptional at Srinagarindra School in Rayong.
Since students pay western prices in a Baht economy, prospective ones should consider the level of services as well as the academics.  Our group gave thumbs down to the services controlled by upper management.  We were disappointed the school’s indifference to reasonable support requirements. Don’t expect western services at TEFL International or buy into the excuse, “This is Thailand; what do you expect?”  Caveat emptor is worthwhile advice: There are other reputable TEFL (TESOL) schools in Thailand.

We’re in Bangkok at the moment, thinking back on the month in Ban Phe and the fabulous people who made up the class.  And we’re planning what to do next.

One thing is certain  We’re going to update the web over the next few of weeks.  So, check in off and on..

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