TESOL Course Nepal, Katmandu
 Why
TEFL Course in Katmandu, Nepal?
TEFL International has always maintained its tradition of conducting the
TESOL programs in such locations which rule supreme in terms of travel
destination.
The Himalayas are listed by the BBC as one of the 50 places to see
before you die. And where else would this majestic range be more
imposing than in Nepal? The nation is home to eight of the fourteen
highest mountains on earth including Mt. Everest (8850m). The Himalayas
have not only blessed Nepal with a seamless beauty but has also groomed
it as the gateway to boundless adventures…. the rugged north is a
trekkers’ paradise whereas indo-Gangetic lowland in the south, more
popularly termed as the Terrai, is home to a fascinating display of
wildlife, flora and fauna.
Katmandu - the nerve center of Nepal was therefore an obvious choice for
TEFL. Katmandu is like a Pandors’s Box for its tourists – it offers a
bounty and has much more in store. Katmandu is a lively city where every
moment can be enjoyed. From the Casinos to the King’s Palace, the
sculpted shrines to the handicraft fares - the city sports an
unmistakable verve. A four-week TESOL course set amidst the mystical
madness of this Himalayan Kingdom introduces its trainees to the
charming world of learning, perceiving and absorbing; it is an
experience that travels beyond the boundaries of the TEFL classroom.
What is the attraction?
In one of its articles on Katmandu, ‘The New York Times’ once wrote –
‘In the center of the city, for instance, a young girl from the Newari
ethnic group is visible inside the exquisitely carved Kumari Palace,
where she is revered by people in the Katmandu Valley as a living
goddess. She will come to the window facing her courtyard if asked to do
so, but it is forbidden to photograph her. In front of the palace,
meanwhile, Nepali teen-agers stroll in acid-washed jeans, and helmeted
motorcyclists rev a path through sari-draped grocery shoppers.’
The labyrinth of narrow alleys is full of diverse surprises for the
tourist. But what attracts you to Katmandu are not the activities that
keep the city abuzz but more intensely the details in those activities.
A religious fervor co-exists with the bohemianism in the air of this
Hippie capital. Katmandu melds culture with the concurrent and is also
the perfect gateway to the wonders of the Himalayas.
What is in Katmandu for you?
Originating in the Puranas and ruled by an absolute monarchy for
centuries, Katmandu today is the largest and the most significant urban
site of Nepal. Despite being a predominantly Hindu nation, Buddhism with
all its glory and vigour has flourished and expanded in Nepal the
birthplace of Gautama Siddharta or Buddha – the enlightened one. And
this religious antecedence is apparent almost everywhere in Katmandu.
UNESCO has duly declared Katmandu Valley as one of the World Heritage
sites – replete with temples, shrines, palaces, antiquated architectures
and more.
Katmandu is best explored on foot. For those who admire architectural
splendor, it is worth mentioning that ancient buildings and temples are
just around everywhere in Katmandu. River Bagmati flows through the city
which is situated at an altitude of 1,200 to 1,500 m.
The Durbar Square, which is also the central attraction of Katmandu, has
a mysterious quality about it. The square is crowded with old palaces,
well-attended temples and the wooden house or the ‘Kasthamandaps’. It is
the oldest surviving structure which gave the city its name. Some of the
buildings and statues that are contained in this small area are - the
Taleju Temple, Ashok Vinayak, Maju Deval, Kumari Palace (the home of the
‘living goddess), Seweta Bhairav, Kal Bhairav and Mahendraswar Temple.
The New Road that takes off from this square is a permanent display of
electronic gizmos, photo-shops and knickknacks from world over.
Besides Darbar Square, the 4 other World Heritage sites in the city are
the Swaymbhu Nath, Boudh Nath and Pashupati Nath Temple revered for
their spiritual as well as historical brilliance. Swaymbhu Nath is the
‘Monkey Temple’ and Pashupati Nath is the shrine dedicated to Lord
Shiva. The Tibetan population with their Buddhist way of life has
thrived around Boud Nath- one of the largest stupas in the world.
The Hanuman Dhoka or the old royal palace stands in close proximity of
the 300-year-old statue of Hanuman – the monkey god draped in red.
The other sites worth a peek in Katmandu are the Basantpur Tower with
its erotic carvings; the Kumari Bahal Palace which is the residence of
the Living Goddess; the picturesque Newari village of Kirtipur replete
with everything that is elaborate and quaint. The Balaju Water Garden,
the Martyr’s Memorial, the National History Museum, the Hiranya Varna
Mahavihar, the Mahaboudha Temple distributed within the city and along
its fringes makes it an interesting experience for its visitors.
Evening and night life in Katmandu
Though Katmandu is not a paradise for the avid night-outers, there is
always plenty of fun to be had. Entertainment goes on till late night in
the Thamel area where most of the bars, clubs and discotheques are
located. Some of the names that are worth recommending include Pub Maya,
Paddy Foley’s Irish Bar, Rum Doodle Bar. One can visit the clubs like
the Underground Bar and the Galaxy Disco. Live music at New Orleans Café
and Rox Bar are good enough to keep you swaying to the rhythm, but only
till 22:00 hours as per the law.
Nightlife in Katmandu travels beyond discos, jazz and pub hopping, to
include more modes of entertainment. The casino-wheels here swirl round
the clock. There are four Casinos in Kathmandu located in the premises
of the city’s top hotels which offers 24 hours of non stop fun and games
like baccarat, blackjack, flush, poker, pontoon, roulette, and other
card games and slot machines. All the games are played in chips and they
can be bought with US dollars or Indian rupees. You’ll get free food and
sometimes a disco if you put some money on the tables. Nepali’s are
officially forbidden from entering in Casinos.
From movies to dining, from exotic meals to cultural shows – Katmandu
isn’t ever short of entertainment options
Weekend activities
In between two weeks of intensive classroom teaching there is a lot to
do to keep your weekends active in Katmandu. Nestled amidst the
Himalayas, Katmandu engages you in short treks, sight seeing, mountain
fights. For those who have an inclination for adventure sports can go
kayaking, rafting, canyoning, climbing or mountain biking.
The hills of Nagarkote and Dhulikhel offer breathtaking views of the
mountains. If you have combed well through old city, markets, the Darbar
Square, the Royal Palace, the National Museum and the team of temples,
move beyond the urbane boundaries of the city into the traditional
Nepali villages. It is always a refreshing experience to spend time with
the villagers and absorb much of the ethnicity and tradition in exchange
during a Village home stay.
Travel to Patan, wandering the streets and stumbling across some of its
600 stupas and 185 bahals (Buddhist monasteries). Enjoy the fun of
watching handicrafts being made. You can also spend your weekends in
strict regimes of yoga or meditation classes or by learning about
Tibetan Buddhism.
About our TEFL Course Location
TEFL International is hosted by the American Language Center, which is
situated near the Putalisadak area of Central Kathmandu.
There is a small canteen on the premises, which sells hot and cold
drinks. There are many local shops to buy snacks from, and both Western-
and Nepali-style restaurants to go to at lunchtime. There is also a
garden area where you can relax at break and lunchtimes
(weather-permitting!) should you wish to bring your own food.
Connectivity in Katmandu
Katmandu can be reached by flight from anywhere in the world. A host of
domestic airlines connects Kathmandu to towns around the country
including Pokhara, Bhairawa and Biratnagar. Tribhuvan International
Airport is 5 km from the city centre and it’s possible to get into town
by bus or in one of the pre-paid taxis that station themselves very
profitably outside the terminus. You can pre-arrange for a rented car to
meet you, which is really the most convenient thing. Katmandu is not
connected by rail but is alternatively accessible by road. The city
stays connected through frequent and cheap bus services to nearly all
parts of Nepal.
The best mode to explore the city is by foot. In general the city lacks
street names and address numbers. Directions are given relative to the
nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market)
or a noteworthy building such as a temple or restaurant. However, buses
and taxis are available for longer trips. There are also local buses and
electric ‘mini-buses’. Some people like to hire a mountain bike for the
duration of their stay (please ask us for more help with this on your
arrival, if you are interested. Mountain bikes can be hired for around
100 rupees/$1.75 per day).
Climate Guide to Katmandu
Nepal has a huge elevation range and the weather is therefore hugely
variable from one area to the next (depending upon its elevation). If
you are planning to do any traveling or trekking either before or after
your course, we strongly recommend you look into the weather conditions
for where you are planning to go before making your arrangements. These
guidelines outline the seasons and weather patterns in Katmandu.
• Autumn (late September to late November)
• Generally clear and dry
• 13-27 degrees Celsius
• This is the most popular time for trekking
• Winter (December and January)
• Generally clear and can be misty
• 13-19 degrees Celsius
• Spring (February to mid-April)
• Warmer weather
• 10-28 degrees Celsius
• This is the second most popular time for trekking.
• Pre-monsoon (mid-April to June)
• Increasingly warm weather and levels of humidity
• 12-29 degrees Celsius
• Monsoon (mid-June to mid-September)
• 19-28 degrees Celsius
The table below shows the average temperatures in Kathmandu throughout
the year to show you what weather to expect in Kathmandu.
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Kathmandu
Climate Graph |
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Average daily temperatures in ºC |
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It is a very compact experience. Extensive learning but
fun.
A gear experience with TEFL International and very
helpful to find placement
