garethopenshaw (Featured Writer)

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  • Member since: 12/07/09
  • garethopenshaw has written 3 Journal entries.
  • garethopenshaw has uploaded 1 photos.
  • garethopenshaw has left 3 comments.
  • garethopenshaw has 47 friends.

About Me

Hi all!  My name's Gareth and I've been living and teaching in Bangkok since July 2009 and I'm onto job number 3 already haha!!  I used to teach kindergarten, used to teach nurses part-time and now I teach grade 1 at an all-boys primary school in the centre of Bangkok. Originally from Bolton, England, I decided that post-university life was not what I expected so I did my TEFL with i-to-i, booked a flight and came out here to try my hand at teaching.  No regrets at all, best thing I ever did!!

My Friends (47)




i-to-i
i-to-i

Your source of all TEFL-related information...   If you're thinking...

emilyhiles15
emilyhiles15

Im an Oxfordshire girl, lived up north for a bit...

ross1959
ross1959

University educated agricultural background retrained in computing and multimedia currently working...

lindee
lindee

honor
honor

The artist formerly known as Chalkboard's site editor. I've now...

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My recent comments

garethopenshaw
garethopenshaw said: “hello, legal requirements to work in Thailand are a degree...”
about monique1611 (User)
garethopenshaw
garethopenshaw said: “to be honest, it's not really affected me.  The skytrain...”
about JWOOD833 (User)
garethopenshaw
garethopenshaw said: “No problem. Home comforts eh? Well, no issue with toothpaste...”
about jennebel (User)
garethopenshaw
garethopenshaw said: “hello,  I didn't come out with a placement.  I just...”
about jennebel (User)
garethopenshaw
garethopenshaw said: “well Thailand is my only TESOL experience.  Best bet is...”
about sheetstothewind (User)

Comments on my stuff

kimakier
kimakier said: “I really enjoyed reading your Blog!!!!”
about garethopenshaw (User)
teacherfun
teacherfun said: “hello gareth just read a bit bout your profile, like...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
svavar
svavar said: “hi everybody. i am thinking about going to thailand for...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
sammyB
sammyB said: “Hi:-0) I was giving your info from Honour as i...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
lizmaclennan
lizmaclennan said: “Hi Gareth - are you still teaching in Thailand.  Sounds...”
about Christmas Time in Thailand (Post)
olivia3188
olivia3188 said: “Hi Gareth, I'm very new to this chalkboard thing, so...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
REBSTEW
REBSTEW said: “Hey Gareth, Laura MC has recommended you as a useful...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
monique1611
monique1611 said: “just researching at the moment I think I'm most probably...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
monique1611
monique1611 said: “Hi Gareth seems like you're living the dream over in...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
SHERIDANLOWE
SHERIDANLOWE said: “It is crazy, how different peoples views are on this....”
about Bangkok Dangerous?? (Post)
Stewart432
Stewart432 said: “Hi Gareth,  Im so sorry to trouble you as im...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
kliang
kliang said: “Thailand is a really peaceful place.  I was in fact...”
about Bangkok Dangerous?? (Post)
Harris21
Harris21 said: “Hi :) I am doing the Thailand Internship in October!...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
ElaineMcG
ElaineMcG said: “Hi Gareth, just reading your profile there I thought I'd...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
JWOOD833
JWOOD833 said: “Thanks for all the info Gareth it put my mind...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
JWOOD833
JWOOD833 said: “Hey Gareth, I am supposed to be heading over to...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
jennebel
jennebel said: “Thanks! I chose the placement agency for the exact reasons...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
jennebel
jennebel said: “Hi Gareth, what company have you been placed through? I'm...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
sheetstothewind
sheetstothewind said: “Hey Gareth, So, I'm wondering, I haven't landed a gig...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
taylorj88
taylorj88 said: “Wow - thanks so much for the info on the...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
sheetstothewind
sheetstothewind said: “Gareth, I'm really interested in applying in Thailand, any advice?...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
martin170587
martin170587 said: “Hey gaz were in BKK do you live? i live...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
taylorj88
taylorj88 said: “Hey Gareth, Honor recommended I get in touch. Im heading...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
indigostar
indigostar said: “Hi Gareth, on the recommendation of Honor, I'm getting in...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
alandavis
alandavis said: “G'day Gaz, interesting story, especially the interview process.  Unfortunately, I...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
emmafoers
emmafoers said: “Hi Gareth, I've just started working for i-to-i....but I've worked...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
melooms8
melooms8 said: “Hi, Gareth!   I have been offered the position to...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
emilyhiles15
emilyhiles15 said: “Hi Gareth, I had my interview yesterday morning with Patai...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
Nayani
Nayani said: “"but she's touch and go on crying most weeks" -...”
about Christmas Time in Thailand (Post)
emmafoers
emmafoers said: “Hi Gareth, How's the teaching in Thailand going?  How is...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
emilyhiles15
emilyhiles15 said: “Hi Gareth, I've been nosying around the forums and a...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
SamLennie
SamLennie said: “It sounds like you had a traditional christmas after all...”
about Christmas Time in Thailand (Post)
Amiekav
Amiekav said: “Ah it was so nice reading your blog. I'm hoping...”
about Christmas Time in Thailand (Post)
JENCLARKE444
JENCLARKE444 said: “Hi, I am in the process of completing my TEFL...”
about Christmas Time in Thailand (Post)
Cmike2
Cmike2 said: “To SamLennie, There are many unrecorded really bad and really...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
SamLennie
SamLennie said: “Sounds like you have had a really bad experience of...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
Cmike2
Cmike2 said: “This appears to be just another propaganda episode and very...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
clemrobin
clemrobin said: “Thanks Gaz, this is a really good insight into getting...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
robertclarke
robertclarke said: “Wow Gaz, That was really interesting. Very impressed with the...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
SamLennie
SamLennie said: “Hi Gaz, I loved your blog! I would never have...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
honor
honor said: “Hi Gaz, Love the story of how you got your...”
about Welcome to the Official i-to-i Blog for Thailand (Post)
ross1959
ross1959 said: “Hi Gaz, Sorry it took so long to get back...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
emilyhiles15
emilyhiles15 said: “Thank you so much I'm definately gonna come to Thailand...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
ross1959
ross1959 said: “Hi Gareth, I am thinking about Korea or Thailand as...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
emilyhiles15
emilyhiles15 said: “I'm thinking about Thailand with the internship but I've never...”
about garethopenshaw (User)
i-to-i
i-to-i said: “Love your profile picture - the kids are so cute...”
about garethopenshaw (User)

Recent Blog Posts

Bangkok Dangerous??

Hi all.  It's been a while since I've posted but this topic is too good to pass up.....   I don't know what the international media has been reporting but there has been a bit of a massive protest going on in Bangkok for over a month now.  I'll try and give a bit of background first before I go on to my experience of it all:   Firstly, there are two sides: the yelloow...
read more

Christmas Time in Thailand

This year is the first time I’ve not been at home for Christmas.  It was a certainly a strange feeling not being with the family, doing the things we always do and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but I still had fun nonetheless.As you may know, Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist country.  For this reason I didn’t really expect much in terms of Christmas celebrations.  I couldn’t have been more wrong!  They do have Christmas...
read more
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Profile Comments

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I really enjoyed reading your Blog!!!!

hello gareth just read a bit bout your profile, like the way you took the plunge in to the world of teaching english abroad, pretty much similar how i embarked on my two year adventure in china, i recently just came back to the u.k and i am looking to also move on to a more tropical way of life as well teaching working hard and travelling. i may have some friendly quesions to ask you as i get on my job applications for the end of the summer. hope to chat soon.

hi everybody. i am thinking about going to thailand for a year and i wanna teach english. i would like to get in touch with somebody who has experience or is currently working as a teacher there :) im sure that would help me get started right ect


best regards S. Martin


 

Hi:-0) I was giving your info from Honour as i would like to teach in Thailand come Sept, Oct. Hope you dont mind. I have never taught before but always wanted to so thought it would be great opportunity for me to do both of the things i always wanted to do which is teach and travel.


In the process of doing my tefl course and aim to finish by the end of June so starting to weigh up my options. Would love to know how you find working in Thailand,you must  have a array of experiences that i would love to know about. Plus how easy is it to get a job? and any agencies you would reccommened i apply too? Any help would be much appreciated.


Many Thanks:-)

Hi Gareth,


I'm very new to this chalkboard thing, so I have no idea what I'm doing. But basically... I'm extremely interested in doing my TEFL course and looking to teach some place. How are you finding Thailand?


Would be great if you could offer some inside advice to help me along.


Thanks,


Olivia.

Hey Gareth,


Laura MC has recommended you as a useful contact to have. I am in the process of just finishing off my TEFL and sorting out the house etc. I do already have 4 years experience as a qualified teacher in the UK. I just really would like a heads up on what to expect, where to look for jobs, ideally I am not that bothered about working in Bangkok I wanted to go exploring first and tips would be great!!


Cheers Beck

just researching at the moment


I think I'm most probably going to try the china internship next year after I've finish college 


and then try indonesia or south america after as i will have some experience from doing the internship



Hi Gareth


seems like you're living the dream over in thailand


I was just wondering if you could tell me what are the requirements for teaching in thailand



Hi Gareth, 


Im so sorry to trouble you as im sure you have better things to be doing with your time. 


But im am in need of a bit of assistance, Im heading to Thailand on the 5th January 2011 and hoping to find work as a TEFL teacher i have already passed the 140 Hour but i am finding it very hard to get my head around how it all works in Thailand. 


I'd like to travel a bit first with a few friends then once i have that out my system id like to look into working somewhere in Thailand teaching english as a foreign language. 


Do you have any advise that may help me along? Im sorry to have to bother you with this i just feel at a loss at the moment.


Thank you very much for your time and comments.


All the best, Katherine :-)

Hi :) I am doing the Thailand Internship in October! Slightly nervous, do you have any tips abot working and living over there?? Hope to hear from you soon, Jen.

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