TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. CMUTEFL is a 120-hour program that equips trainees with the necessary skills to be able to teach students of all ages. Trainees will teach mixed classes consisting of both undergraduate students from Chiang Mai University and non CMU students. CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, the curriculum and syllabus has been developed by the University of Cambridge. It is a training course which focuses on teaching adults in a language school environment.
CMUTEFL has been approved by the Board of the Language Institute Chiang Mai University. The Board consists of various academics from both Chiang Mai University and Chulalongkorn University, the current chairman is a Vice President at Chiang Mai University. Its syllabus and curriculum has been approved and it is authorized to be run by the Language Institute Chiang Mai University. It is currently the only 4-week university accredited TEFL training course available in Chiang Mai, and the only course to be run on a university campus. Trainees who successfully graduate from the program will be conferred with certificates signed and authorized by the Vice President for International Relations, Chiang Mai University.
Trainees will have peace of mind knowing that the CMUTEFL certificate has been accredited by Chiang Mai University. As the only 4-week university accredited TEFL certification program available in Chiang Mai, Thailand, prospective trainees will be guaranteed that the course being undertaking will be widely recognized and accepted by prospective employers around the world. Chiang Mai University is a leader in the community and reputable institution of higher education, not only in Thailand but within the international education community.
The content of the CMUTEFL program has been designed to be practical and hands on. Our CMUTEFL micro-teaching sessions have been specifically designed to be able to rapidly develop a trainee's confidence and improve their techniques in the classroom. CMUTEFL focuses on the application of methodology and pedagogy in the teaching practice sessions, we look at real world teaching application to ensure that the knowledge being taken away by our trainees can be used and applied in classrooms.
Currently ranked 3rd in the overall university ranking, trainees will be assured that the quality of instruction will be of the highest quality. Chiang Mai University offers the very best environment for training to become a teacher, right at the heart of its main campus located below the foothills of Doi Suthep. The campus is self contained, and everything a trainee should require is right here on campus – restaurants, cafes, libraries, fitness centre, athletics track, tennis courts and much more. The teacher training facility at Chiang Mai University is unrivaled, boasting air conditioned classrooms, multimedia labs, self access learning resources centre filled with textbooks and resources a student needs to plan their lessons. Simply put, trainees are guaranteed a truly holistic academic learning experience with the integration of Thai culture.
With over 225 active Memorandums of Understanding with international universities, Chiang Mai University has grown to become one of Asia’s most respected universities. A qualification from Chiang Mai University will be recognized by prospective employers not only in Thailand but across the globe. We currently have graduates teaching in Vietnam, South Korea, Australia, Taiwan, China, Japan, South America and parts of Europe.
Language Institute Chiang Mai University fully provides formal job placement assistance. At the end of the course, trainees will attend an input session regarding resume (CV) writing, job hunting and interviewing. In addition, the course trainers will offer one on one job assistance to trainees who request it.
No. There is no degree required to enter CMUTEFL. However, you should be aware that the government of Thailand requires a college degree for all foreigners who are applying for a work permit. Many schools in Thailand will not offer jobs to potential teachers without a college degree. For more information, contact your local Thai embassy or consulate.
We do not recommend that you work during the course, as it is an intensive and demanding course. The course runs Monday through Friday and students are engaged for about 8 hours per day. Outside of class time, students are required to complete reading assignments and plan lessons. CMUTEFL is like a full time job.
No. All input session will be conducted in English by native English speakers. In addition, all practice teaching will be done in English only. Developing techniques for communicating meaning using only the learners’s L2 (aka English) will serve trainees who may want to teach in other foreign countries.
Yes. The culture of Thailand is quite conservative and this is reflected in the dress code of LICMU. All trainees are required to dress as if they are teaching, which means long trousers and a collared shirt for men and a blouse and skirt or smart trousers for women. Jeans, sandals, trainers and shorts are never acceptable.
We welcome applications from non native speakers with a strong command of English language. This command will be assessed through a personal interview with a trainer.
CMUTEFL is designed for a minimum of 6 trainees and a maximum of 12.
Trainees will have the opportunity to teach within LICMU as well as outside the university at pre arranged schools in the greater Chiang Mai community. Practice teaching clasess will be of a manageable size, with no more than 20 students. Information regarding the level of the lesson will be communicated to trainees well in advance of their lesson.
Yes, although there are many travel restrictions currently in place, it is still possible for international visitors to enter into Thailand. We would advise all applicants to visit their local Embassy or Consulate website for further guidance on the documents which now need to be provided when applying for a visa to enter into Thailand. At present, CMUTEFL is currently the only TEFL provider to issue Non-Immigrant Education visas for its students. Please contact us at tefl@cmu.ac.th for more information about visas or visit our visa page for more information.
By this time, you should have already booked your flights and your Alternative State Quarantine (ASQ) facility upon arrival into Thailand. Once you have landed and have been whisked off to your designated ASQ, drop us an email at tefl@cmu.ac.th to let us know you are in-country. Normally on day 5 and day 13 you will be required test negative for COVID-19, if everything goes well, you will be released from ASQ on day 15. Please send us all the evidence (via email) including: entry stamp in your passport, copy of evidence of negative COVID test on day 5 and day 13 and finally a copy that ASQ has been successfully completed. Once we have recieved all this information a member of the admissions team will be in touch.
However, before you are allowed on campus in Chiang Mai, you must complete a 'black-out' period this means a 10-day self monitoring period (this is not self quarantine, but just simply monitoring your health for any symptoms of COVID). Once completed this black-out period, you will be free to start the TEFL course at Chiang Mai University.
