David L Ruff

David L. Ruff, CFA currently lives in Oakland, California and works in the investment management business. He teaches English for the Regeneration Church Refugee & New Immigrant Ministry.

Why did you choose this program?

The program's accreditation weighed heavily in my decision to attend TEFL Campus Phuket. The online reviews were positive, and I wanted the classroom experience in a Thai setting since, ultimately, I plan to teach in Thailand. My wife and I looked forward to spending extended time in Phuket, enjoying the beaches and learning about the area.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

TEFL Campus Phuket provided extensive assistance in getting acclimated to the area and program. For example, course director, Eric Haeg, recommended housing options and restaurant choices, suggested notebook/classroom supplies, highlighted local tourist sites, offered a scooter and provided job placement assistance.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

There is a wonderful hotel close to the campus called Phuket Chino Inn. This is fairly new property, is well maintained, has friendly staff, and is very reasonably priced. The hotel was very conveniently located just a 100 feet from the campus. By staying at the hotel, you don't have to worry about traffic delays and getting to class late.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

The first week was mainly spent in the classroom, learning the course structure, expectations, content, methodology, and grammar. Subsequently, a typical day included study in the mornings focusing on grammar and phonetics, lesson preparation in the afternoons and teaching/observing teacher practices in the early evenings.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Given my age, I was not sure how I would adjust back to a classroom setting. However, this ended up being one of my favorite parts of the program. The teachers were very supportive, made learning the content fun, and systematically equipped you to become an effective teacher. The smaller class size facilitated a more interactive atmosphere.

What are the main benefits of this course?

The course teaching time, as you're learning the curriculum, not only prepares you for this career, but is very rewarding working with the ESL students.