 Jenika
Robbin Dietrich
USA
I have traveled through SE Asia and wanted more than just a
tourist’s experience. I am considering the teaching fellowship
and this project provides me with a chance to explore whether
teaching would be a good career choice for me. My most recent
career has been as a pharmacist. However, before that I was a
pediatric nurse. I enjoy working with children and have missed
that in recent years. |
 Anthony
Zupancic
USA
I was teaching English in Cleveland and had found memories of
studying abroad; TESOL was the obvious way to carry two
interests. After doing some research on places and programs, I
found ATI and it just seemed like a very good fit for me.
It was hard wasting so much time doing remedial activities for
two weeks, but in class experience is what I signed up for and
it was great. |
 Jon
Dietrich
USA
I have traveled extensively through out Thailand and SE Asia
and became aware that there is an extreme need for native
English speaking teachers here. I discovered this program
online and it seemed to offer everything that I was looking
for that will prepare me to live and work as a teacher in
Thailand. Also, I have a very strong interest in Thai culture
and religion and this is a wonderful opportunity for me to
give something back to Thailand while I live here and immerse
myself in the culture. |
 Regina
Scribner
USA
I liked the contracted teaching aspect of this program. I
wanted to teach in Thailand for 6 – 12 months and this came
with a guaranteed teaching post. |
 Ryan
Moore
USA
I choose to take this project because I had been working a
desk job that was not fulfilling my craziness to travel,
experience working directly with people. This project provided
the opportunity to travel, have a direct impact on people live
in a positive manner, and explore a new culture.
Very intense course in a beautiful place. |
 Colin
Casey
USA
As a scuba instructor and coach I have always gained great
satisfaction from teaching others. As an experienced world
traveler I have enjoyed learning about other cultures while
trying to teach people a little about mine. Through this
program I hope to gain a greater understanding of the other
cultural experiences that we don’t have in America while
imparting knowledge that will help my students later in their
life.
I had a great time in Chiang Mai. The training, facility
instructors were awesome. |
 Tevra
Blankenship
USA
I have considered teaching abroad since I graduated from
college in 2005. However I wanted some experience in the
business world before I adventured abroad. I love travel and
have wanted to sit Thailand for years. I believe living
somewhere is the only way to truly experience a culture and to
travel in the style and love the best.
I also believe teaching is something which allows much
personal growth and I have always thought I would enjoy it.
With a break in my career, this seemed the perfect time to
accomplish all these goals. I am thrilled to be here and
excited to get started.
ATI really got me excited about teaching. The practice
teaching especially was extremely valuable. I am looking
forward to getting started. |
 Lesley
Matchison
USA
I have always wanted and known that I needed to do something
in this world to make a difference. Traveling to a foreign
country to help improve individuals live is a huge challenge
itself. I chose this project because I want to see the smiles
on the student’s face when they have a brake through and
understand. I feel it is also a great and exciting way for me
to learn as well.
Great new friends and found my profession. |
 Adam
Eckstein
USA
I choose to take on this project after researching about
opportunities to work abroad. In my undergraduate studies I
concentrated on international affairs and development and
after a year of working in office I was looking for hands on
field experience working with kids as a teacher, tutor and
summer camp counselor. This seemed live a wonderful
opportunity. Last year I traveled to Thailand for three weeks
and fell involved with the people and the beautiful landscape.
After some contemplation I decided to try and find the best
program in which I could gain some training and work
experience and see if I lined teaching abroad. The American
TESOL Institute STP program seemed like the best fit. I am
hoping that this will be a great experience where I can learn
and grow as a person and find out if I am cut out to be a
teacher in a foreign land. |
 Nicole
Buck
USA
I chose the Thailand, Chiang Mai TESOL Project because it is a
compilation of things that define me as a person. I am very
interested in emerging myself in different cultures and
learning about my own culture. I feel this project will give
me the necessary tools to do that within a school setting but
also a public setting in order to help me be more culturally
aware. |
 Oonagh
Mc Granaghan
Ireland
I have a great interest in traveling and also in teaching I
thought that this project would be prefect for me so that I
could tech and also experience Thai culture. Having not
traveled much before it is a great project as you meet new
people with the same interests and have contacted with tutors
that can help you out.
Thailand is a country that has a very different culture to the
western society which I am used to. Doing this course gives me
that opportunity to find out if I like to teach and to
experience eastern culture first hand.
An intensive, though course that really brought me out of my
shell.
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience here and am very much
looking forward to teaching. |
 Shane
Collins
Ireland
I took this project for the following reasons:
• A good friend of mine from home is an English language
teacher in Korea. He loves it and I have talked to him about
his life and experiences and it sounds amazing.
• Why Thailand? I traveled here to Thailand earlier this year
for and loved every minute of the trip. The food, the culture
and especially the relaxed way of life.
• Why ATI? From my research ATI STP looked very professional
and is one of the few courses that guarantee work placement.
Just a really good, well organized, tough and extremely
rewarding experience. |
 Rob
Weaver
UK.
I have prior experience in working with children who are
learning English, which I enjoy very much.
I have aspirations to become a teacher and to work all across
the world as an English teacher.
The project was a great opportunity to gain a teaching
qualification, gain teaching experience and experience a brand
new culture.
Was much better than I was expecting (to be honest I did not
know what to expect).
Really helped me a lot. |
 Neil
Beeson
UK
I have had a strong desire to travel to travel and experience
new culture for some time. By participating in the Thai
project I feel that I can truly immerse myself in the culture
of Thailand while earning money at the same time. I believe
the project provides opportunity for self development as well
as enabling me to develop the English language skills of the
Thai children. This I believe will be very rewarding.
The past few weeks have been very enjoyable and the course has
been very useful. I am glad I decided to sign up! |
 Wesley
Nelson
USA
The elements necessary for teaching permeate into all aspect
of life; therefore a solid foundation will prove beneficial to
one’s future no matter the path chosen.
Additionally I hope to explore teaching as a future career
choice and hope that the experience gleaned from TESOL will
help in deciding. |
 Brandon
D. Augustine
USA
Primarily for job assurance. After researching job listing, I
notice that many, if not jobs required a certification acronym
of some sort. ATI was cheap, quick and easy to apply to.
I chose Thailand in particular because I have its culture. The
food is great, the culture is rich and history is profound.
|
 Amy
Jeppson
USA
I chose to take this project because I was looking for a
transition from the pace of life I was previously living. I
wanted to find an opportunity to work abroad and teaching
English seemed to be the most established method. I chose
Thailand because I wanted a warm and positive climate (land of
1,000 smiles) and I chose ATI because it offered a shorter
time commitment than did most other projects.
It was better than I expected it to be. |
 Emily
Fricke
USA
I wanted to live and work in Thailand for around 6 months and
this experience allowed me to do that. I wanted to live in a
community and experience Thai culture firsthand. After
tutoring recently back in the states I realized how much I
enjoyed working with kids and teaching so this program allowed
me teach and work with kids while experiencing Thai culture
and daily life. I am very excited to be here and am looking
forward to the experience. |
 Cassie
Younger
USA
I have been to Thailand before and fell in love with Thailand
and needed to come back for a long period of time. Teaching
seemed to be the profession that was most needed that I could
provide to the country. I have heard wonderful things about
Chiang Mai and wanted to further dive into the culture in this
setting. |
 Nikki
Treacher
England
I chose to take the course in Chiang Mai as I liked how the
course has set at. The idea of going from the course into a
placement with achieved assistance appeared less daunting than
‘going it alone’.
Live found it really enjoyable – feel that I have gained a
lot. |
 Karl
Hass
America
So many reasons:
• New career exploration
• Travel
• Got away
• New culture
• Not only travel and see a new culture but to live it
• Learn Thai
• Explore self
• Meet people
• Open up option
• The huge pay check. |
 Thomas
Sullivan
USA
I spent some time in Bangkok and was very interested in people
and culture. I felt that participating in the TESOL project in
Chiang Mai would be a great way to be mow involved with the
culture rather than living solely as a tourist. |
 Emily
Deans
USA
I have been fascinating by the studies of language (both my
native language, as well as other), and thought it would be
interesting to learn how language can be taught. I have also
considered a career in teaching and feel that this program
could be a good opportunity to explore and challenge myself to
see if I have the characteristics necessary to make a good
teacher. I also really love to travel and they seem like the
perfect opportunity to do that.
I have had amazing experience so far with ATI. The training is
well organized and informative. Chiang Mai is beautiful. |
 Thomas
William Billinge
UK
I chose to take the special Thai Project because I love
Thailand and I wanted to have a chance to work in and amongst
Thai people. I feel that teaching is an enormously important
job. Education is a way for people to be able to unlock their
full potential and being able to see my work have a positive
impact on young people would be very rewarding. I have always
had a natural tendency towards teaching and the opportunity to
teach in Thailand, where education is respected, is project
for me.
It is a worthwhile experience. |
 Tom
Simcox
USA
To gain teaching experience while expanding my international
experience to help me achieve future goals. |
 Scott
Beattle
USA
After I graduated from college, I was looking to travel
abroad. I plan on becoming a teacher, so I also was looking to
gain teaching experience. The program offered a solution for
each, and seemed like a wonderful opportunity. I also hoped to
experience Thai culture as well. I had a friend who taught in
Thailand 5 years age, and he raved about the country’s beauty
and culture. I wanted to experience it first hand.
Overall, my experience was positive. Unfortunately, I felt
that guest lectures were a complete waste to my times but the
TESOL was effective and interesting. |
 Megan
Fitzpatrick
USA
I graduated from college in May, 2009.I wanted to do something
different before I started looking for a job and starting on a
career path. I love to travel, and wanted to find a way to
really immerse myself in a culture. This program allowed me to
do that while giving me the opportunity to earn money at the
same time. |
 Barry
Easley
USA
I was interested in Thai Culture and to see and live in
Thailand. Teaching people is rewarding to me.
David Wright
England
Provided me with the opening to travel and see Thailand whilst
learning new skills which will be invaluable to my teaching
and other future careers.
The 4/5 month teaching practice post offers me the chance to
experience teaching for a short period, allowing me to decide
whether I enjoy it and wish to like it further, with extended
teaching contracts or net. |
 Olga
Overmyer
USA
I chose to do the Special Thai Project to get work experience
in an exciting location after graduating college. I have some
experience teaching yoga and wanted to expand that to English
teaching because of the demand for teachers in Asia. I loved
my time studying abroad in India and wanted to live in another
culture that values religion highly. I am also interested in
Thai massage, cooking and Buddhist meditation so living in
Thailand was appealing to me in terms of personal growth. I
hope the teaching experience will help me learn what I want to
do for long term work.
TESOL training in Chiang Mai has been an excellent experience.
Great city! I am excited to begin teaching. |
 Kerry
Godfrey
USA
After studying abroad in college and having the opportunity to
see a few different countries around the world. I developed a
strong interest in travel photography. Being able to submerge
myself in a culture is a great way to not only broaden my mind
but get familiar with a new way of living. I hope to rally
enjoy seeing the learning process of teaching first hand and
also capture everything on film.
Felt that I receive a lot about lesson planning that will be
helpful in the future and become more confident in the
classroom. |
 Cengiz
Yar Jr.
USA
After studying in China for a semester, I have been trying to
find a way to live in Asia.
The American TESOL Institute seemed to be the perfect choice.
It allows me to work, live and learn in Asia. Chiang Mai was
also a selling point because of the positive feedback I
received about living there. |
 Evangelina
Rangel
USA
I was always interested in doing the peace corp. and this
program reminds me of that. This program was ideal due to the
short contract time, experience of cultural emersion, place
and after researching and companying other programs, it was
the best culture for what is offered/presented. |
American
TESOL Programs are accredited by USETTA
American
TESOL Institute is state licensed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.
American
TESOL Institute is a member of Central Florida TESOL Organization
located in Orlando Florida. 
American
TESOL Institute is a Global ambassador school for iEARN ATI teachers
receive iEARN membership.
American
TESOL Institute is a member of USDLA
American
TESOL Institute is partnered with Interpark Communications and
Talkbean. The world largest and most sophisticated online provider of
online ESL training. 
ATI
is also a member of THAI TESOL. Its purposes are to strengthen
English language education at all levels, to undertake research in the
Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages, to offer
scholarships, to disseminate information, and to cooperate in
appropriate ways with other groups having similar aims and objectives.
American
TESOL Institute is recognized by the Georgia Department of Education
Office of Professional Learning.
American
TESOL Institute is approved by the FDVA to offer test for licensing
and certification needed to enter, maintain or advanced into
employment in a civilian vocation or profession under Title 38 of the
U.S.C., and Chapter 1606 of Title 10 U.S.C.
