I am 32 years old, and grew up in South West London, UK. When I finished school I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. Who is?! So instead of going to College and University immediately, I decided to go straight out to work and earn money to do the things I wanted to do (concerts, holidays, travelling, festivals, shows etc.!) whilst gaining work experience. There followed 8 years of working in an office, with various trips in between. It was a life-changing event that led me to change direction, and in 2002 I decided to leave the keyboard, the swivel chair and all the other office comforts behind me and go and work with teenagers as a Teaching Assistant in a local Secondary School. I had always thought about becoming a teacher, but didn’t have the relevant qualifications, so I thought this would be a way of finding out first-hand whether or not teaching was for me, and also would be a great way to directly help people in need. Working as a Teaching Assistant was a fantastic experience, but unfortunately the salary was never going to grow to what I needed/wanted!
So…. What next? After a short time working two part time jobs, I decided it was about time to pack my bag and head back over to the part of the World that had been in my blood ever since my 5-week trip to Bali back in 1999. Asia. Since leaving England in November 2005 I haven’t looked back. My life has changed. I’ve experienced some things I could only ever have read about at home. I’ve made life-long friends. I’ve worked in three different countries and I’ve travelled to many more. It’s now August 2009 and I’m still here in Asia. And still loving it!
Why I chose TEFL International:
After travelling for six months in Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and China, I wanted to stop and either study or volunteer somewhere in the region. Travelling was great fun, but I wanted to experience a country by living in it. Really get to know the people, the culture, the way of life… Annie's TEFL travel...
Training with TEFL International:
I had the best time whilst taking my course! There were 14 in our Group – from UK, America, Italy, and Australia. Our ages ranged from 21 to over 50. We all bonded really well. Classes were fun and we went everywhere together, enjoying evenings down at the local beach bar (when we didn’t have homework to do or lesson plans to complete!), and weekends on Koh Samed. The course was intense, but because we all got on so well, it was always enjoyable. Going in to a Thai school and teaching Thai students was a wonderful experience, although nerve-racking at first! Annie's TEFL Training Experience...
Teaching in Foreign Country
After finishing my course I took a job in a small language school about half an hour South of Pattaya. I was the only foreign teacher working there, and there was only one other Thai teacher. I didn’t really know what to expect, to be honest, as my only experience of work has been back home in UK. I asked them when I arrived when I would start teaching? Annie's TEFL teaching...
Living in a Foreign Country (Thailand in my case):
I’ve been lucky enough to have had the opportunity to work in three difference countries now – Thailand, France and Nepal. As well as working as an English Teacher, I’ve worked for TEFL International as a Teacher on English camps and as an observer in Thailand, as a Course Administrator in France and Thailand, as a Second Trainer and Centre Mangaer in Kathmandu, Nepal, and, presently, as the Manager of the Administration Department in Thailand. Annie living in foreign countries...
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Email: teflalumni@gmail.com Skype: tefladminsj
Tim Torkildson received his B.A. in English from the University of Minnesota. He also holds a degree in Broadcasting from Brown College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. But perhaps his greatest scholastic honor was awarded to him by Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. He attended their world-renowned Clown College, in Venice, Florida, and was not only awarded a diploma but a job as a professional clown with The Greatest Show on Earth.
Tim has an extensive background in the performance arts and broadcasting, as well as a continuing role as Bulletin Board Poet for the Saint Paul Pioneer Press newspaper. His poetry has appeared in the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.
Tim currently is a communications specialist for TEFL International, which title, he says, "covers a multitude of sins!" He sends out acceptance letters for the course, answers emails, phone calls, and chats about TEFL International, writes the company blog, and is responsible for the notorious TEFL International News Hour featured on the company Facebook page.
Tim makes his home in Ban Phe, Thailand. His hobby is collecting Thai girlfriends -- or, rather, trying to.
Ask Our Alumni
So…. What next? After a short time working two part time jobs, I decided it was about time to pack my bag and head back over to the part of the World that had been in my blood ever since my 5-week trip to Bali back in 1999. Asia. Since leaving England in November 2005 I haven’t looked back. My life has changed. I’ve experienced some things I could only ever have read about at home. I’ve made life-long friends. I’ve worked in three different countries and I’ve travelled to many more. It’s now August 2009 and I’m still here in Asia. And still loving it!