The first thing we did after deciding we want to go to Thailand to teach English was look into the job situation there. From what we’ve read on various websites, getting a job in Thailand is fairly easy, but having a TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) certificate not only increase your chances but also could increase your pay. After hearing/reading this, we knew this would be a must-do.

Depending on exactly which certificate you get (regular, advanced, etc.) and whether you are taking the course online or in the classroom (we would most definitely be doing it online), the price can vary anywhere from $600 to $1,200. Amazingly though, somehow, literally the day after we added TEFL to our list of things to do, there was a Groupon for an online advanced certification for $70. Um, no brainer. This must have been fate. We each bought one immediately.

The course is 120 hours and we figured that we’d be able to take it leisurely over the next 6 months or so. Well, then we read that we have to complete the course in 75 days. So, I guess we’re not taking it as leisurely as we’d planned, but on the bright side, in just 75 short days, we will be one (big) step closer to moving to Thailand.

I started the class yesterday and surprisingly have found myself enjoying it (well, that is except for unit 2. Ugh, grammar!!!). For the first time in my life though, I feel like I’m studying for something that I’m actually interested in and for something that I actually want to do.  The ten hours I spent reading about and being quizzed on grammar yesterday actually wasn’t all that bad. I’m working toward something and it’s very refreshing.

I just hope that I’ll be able to explain the difference between past perfect, past continuous, and present perfect continuous to my students, because I’m not sure I quite understand it yet… and I speak English!

Regardless though, every unit that I finish makes me feel as though I’m that much closer to getting to Thailand and that’s a pretty great feeling. Screw the 75 days… my goal is to get this done in 35 (before we leave for Egypt)! Good luck to me.