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Chiang Mai, the capital of North Thailand and once the capital city of the Lan Na Kingdom is the home of the TEFL International course in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai was founded in the thirteenth century, and is one of the oldest cities in Thailand; it’s recognized as having an independent cultural personality it its own rite. Outside the city, Chiang Mai is surrounded by beautiful scenery of mountains, rivers, meadows, waterfalls, forests and valleys, stemming from the foothills of the Himalayas. Chiang Mai offers a different experience for TEFL International TEFL Courses in Thailand. 

Many feel that Chiang Mai is an essential part of any journey to Thailand. Located more than 700km northwest of Bangkok, Chiang Mai has in excess of 300 temples, with an impressive 121 within the municipal limits. This number is close to the total in Bangkok, and makes the old city centre of Chiang Mai visually striking. The Thai people love their beloved northern capital: a quaint, moated and walled city surrounded by mountains with legendary, mystical attributes.
Chiang Mai is also an exciting, modern city, which has successfully managed to combine its rich history and traditions with its increasingly modern side.

Chiang Mai has always had its cultural riches, relative peacefulness, fantastic handicraft shopping, delicious food and proximity to many natural treasures. Changes are coming though, with chic, Thai-style boutique hotels popping up everywhere. One look at the new shops, bars and restaurants, particularly in the Nimmanhaemin area, shows that the city’s identity is changing. Yet Chiang Mai still manages to retain the relaxed, temple-sprinkled, cultural capital atmosphere it’s always had. With its many and varied attractions, the days of Chiang Mai just being a quick stop off point before heading to the hills are long gone.

The architecture of Chiang Mai reflects Lan Na, Thai, Mon, Sri Lankan and Burmese influences.  A city of great history, Chiang Mai is home to 300 temples, some of which date back over 500 years, from before the great Lan Na age of Chiang Mai and most are decorated with ornate woodcarvings. These include the magnificent Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep, elevated 1300 Meters above the city and constructed in 1383, Wat Pra Singh, probably the cities most famous temple and constructed between 1385-1400 and Wat Chiang Mun, said to date from the founding year of the city (1292) and its oldest temple .  More recently, the city has been through a period of regeneration, while retaining its unique cultural identity.

The city itself covers an area of 200, 000 square meters and can be found 700 kilometers north of Bangkok. It is situated 300 meters above sea level, which accounts for its dry and cool climate.

However, Chiang Mai still retains a tropical climate experiencing monsoons, which arrive from India at the end of May (23 -32 ºC / 73 – 90 ºF) and remain until November (19-30ºC / 66-80. ºF) During this period, it often rains for a couple of hours in the afternoon. From November to May, cool air from China bring the dry season with milder weather and during this period temperatures range from (13-36ºC / 55-97ºF).

Why Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has a striking mountain backdrop, over 300 temples and a quaint historical aura. It's also a modern, friendly, internationally - flavored city with much to offer the visitor

Food, accommodation and shopping are all top quality and cheap, and the nights are relatively cool.

Doi Suthep, topped by one of Thailand's holiest temple, rises behind the city, providing a dramatic backdrop and fine views of the city.

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The School

The TEFL course in Chiang Mai is conducted in a modern facility close to the centre of Chiang Mai, the airport and the city's biggest and most popular shopping centre. Our TEFL training centre is designated to be environmentally friendly, and has all the amenities that you could require.

The TEFL International training centre is within easy reach of the local schools at which TEFL trainees complete their six teaching practices.  These schools provide for the underprivileged or are linked to a temple and are very welcoming to foreign teachers.  Our long-term commitment to our community and partnership with these schools provides students’ opportunities they would not have otherwise received.

Our trainers are some of the best, most experienced in the business and will guide you on your way to becoming an effective TEFL teacher. They will offer you insight into the life of an TEFL teacher as well as providing you with all the tools to teach an effective, fun, inspiring class. You will learn different teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques and a little Thai on your journey to becoming a qualified TEFL graduate with TEFL International.

Accommodation

Chiang Mai benefits from a wide choice of accommodation to suit all price ranges. Budget hostels can be found for as little as $150 per month and more comfortable hotels, guesthouses and small condos are available from $ 200 to $300 per month.

Some sample accommodation options, with pricing in Thai baht:

Suite: (56 sq m): 18,000 baht / month

• Air conditioning with remote control
• King size bed
• Working desk and chair
• Dining table with two chairs
• Wardrobe
• Hot water heater
• Pantry
• Fridge
• Cable TV
• All modern style furniture

Superior deluxe: (35 sq m): 7,500 baht / month

• Air conditioning with remote control
• One 5 foot bed or two 3.5 foot beds
• Working desk and chair
• Wardrobe
• Hot water heater
• Pantry
• Fridge
• Cable TV
• Rooftop Swimming Pool

VIP (30 sq m): 6,500 baht / month

• Air con with remote control
• One 5 foot bed or two 3.5 foot beds
• Working desk with chair
• Cable TV
• Fridge
• Wardrobe
• Hot water heater
• Swimming Pool

Standard (25 sq m): 5,500 baht / month

• Air con
• One 5 feet or two 3.5 feet bed
• Cable TV
• Wardrobe
• Hot water heater

Course dates

Coming soon...

Please check out our other course locations if you wish to attend a course before this one becomes available...

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

 

Deposit
US$ 600

to be paid in advance

+

Balance
US$ 990

to be paid on arrival

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

And up
US$ 150

(to be paid on arrival)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  Course deposits must be paid to our administrative center. Credit/debit card payments are the fastest and cheapest way to pay, but we also accept payments via Western Union, Pay Pal and bank transfer. While there are no deadlines for a deposit, courses can fill up quickly and your seat will only be reserved after the deposit has been paid.

  Once you make your deposit, you will receive an email with an informational packet that provides detailed information about the course and Chiang Mai itself.

  The balance of course fees is payable via credit card before, or on the first day of the course. Bank transfers are also accepted but must be completed at least two weeks before the first day of the course. Participants with checking accounts in the US may pay by personal check, but payments must be cleared within two weeks of the course’s start date.

  Course fees are all-inclusive so you won’t be asked to pay additional costs for course related materials or services. This also includes course moderation, accreditation fees and lifetime assistance finding jobs.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  Chiang Mai benefits from a wide choice of accommodation to suit all price ranges. Budget hostels can be found for as little as US$ 150 per month and more comfortable hotels, guesthouses and small condos are available from US$ 200-300 per month.

  Your accommodation is available from 1:00 p.m. on the Saturday before the course begins through to 5:00 p.m. on the Friday of the final week. We hope you will plan to arrive in Chiang Mai by Saturday as this will give you a chance to relax and get accustomed to your surroundings before the course begins.

• What travel documents will I need for thailand?

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  All visitors to Thailand are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months after their arrival date. Visitors to Thailand from the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and New Zealand can stay in Thailand for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. Citizens from all other countries should contact their local consulate to obtain current travel regulations.

  If you plan to arrive the day before the course begins and leave a day or two after the course finishes, then the standard 30 days would be perfect. However, most people prefer to arrive a few days early so they can settle in before the course starts and also like to relax for a while on completion of their studies. If this is the case, then you can get an extension on your original 30 days by either visiting a local immigration office or by going to the nearest border. The other alternative is to apply for a 60 or 90 day tourist visa at a Thai embassy or consulate before you leave your home country, or in any country outside Thailand (recommended).

  * As this information is subject to change at any time, we advise you to contact your local consulate for current travel regulations prior to planning your trip. For more information on obtaining visas please check with your local Thai consulate or embassy.

• What is the course schedule?

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  From Monday to Friday, class begins at 9:30 a.m. each day with a three hour input session. This is where you are taught how to teach, we cover topics such as grammar, teaching skills, classroom management and many other areas. There is a one hour lunch break at 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. From 1.30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. is guided lesson planning which is when you plan the lesson that you will teach to local students in a real Thai school. The observed teaching practice will be in the morning from 8:30 a.m. when you will teach the lesson that you have planned. After each lesson you will have a feedback session with the trainer who has observed your lesson. We finish at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays and weekends are free, although you will have some homework to complete for the following Monday.

• What can I expect during teaching practice?

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  We use local Thai students for the trainees’ teaching practice. Thai students are very keen and enthusiastic and because we don’t charge them to attend, all students come to classes purely because they want to.

  Lessons are based upon real teaching resources found all over the world and you will have the chance to create your own materials as well. You will also receive the aid of your course trainer throughout lesson planning and receive immediate feedback on your lesson after it’s been delivered. Practicum is assessed and a satisfactory assessment is required to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate.

• Who usually attends the course?

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  Normally we would expect around ten trainees per course. 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.

• Is there a dress code?

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  For all input and tutorial sessions at the training location, there is only one specific dress requirement: Both men and women should have a shirt covering their shoulders. The course operates from within a school so we ask you to be mindful of this, as well as being mindful of your peers and to respect the fact that you are a visitor in another country.

  During teaching practice there are specific requirements that adhere to the local dress code. All trainees are expected to dress professionally according to the following guidelines:

  Women: Shoulders should be covered, blouses with sleeves are suggested. No low-cut necklines, very short skirts or bare midriffs. Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but not hiking or flip-flop sandals.

  Men: Long pants, slacks or trousers are required, jeans are not acceptable. Short or long-sleeved shirts with a collar are necessary, although a tie is not required. Loafers or dress shoes are both fine, sandals are not acceptable. Long hair should always be tied back.

• What should I bring for course studies?

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  Please bring a pen and a notebook for taking notes during class. All relevant forms and instructions will be provided, as well as notes from the input sessions.

  We encourage you to bring a laptop as we have Wi-Fi at the training center. We will provide all course materials for you so there is no need to bring anything else for the course itself.

• What documents do I need for finding employment after the course?

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  If you plan to work in Thailand without returning home before you do so, you will need to bring your original degree (if you have one) and any other teaching qualifications that you might have. While not required by all schools, it’s advisable to obtain a local criminal background check and sealed university transcripts as some schools will want to see one, or both of these documents.

• Do I need a degree to teach in thailand?

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  The short answer is no. Thailand’s Ministry of Education (MoE) does require foreign teachers to have degrees, but not all schools fall under the MoE’s jurisdiction. Primary and secondary schools, both public and private, will require degrees as your teacher’s license will need to be approved by the MoE. However, university and corporate work will not require a degree. Teaching in one of Thailand’s thousands of language schools also does not necessarily require a degree. So while some sources fail to truly explore this issue and say degrees are required, you can rest assured, they are not required for all teaching positions around the Kingdom.