Education the key to a better life
It’s almost a mantra: if you want to be ultimately successful in life then, for the most part, you need a good education.
Dr Tewi Gleeson, the woman behind the award-winning TLS Language Schools, is a prime example of what can be achieved by way of education.
Tewi grew up in the south of Thailand where she was fortunate that her mother was a teacher. Although they were poor, Tewi’s mother inculcated her daughter with the need for education.
When Tewi was 17 she was sent to university in Bangkok. It was a hard slog as Tewi went to work during the day and studied for her degree at night and on weekends, all the while sending as much money home as she could to help her family.
After gaining her degree Tewi began working in a better job for more money. Then, aged 28, she decided she wanted to do even better and take a Master’s Degree in Management. This required financial help from her mother and brother.
Four years late Tewi gained her Master’s Degree and the now 32-year-old was able to take on even better-paid employment which enable her to start repaying her mother and brother for their support.
Her ultimate ambition by this time was to open her own language school. She achieved this in 1999, opening the TLS Language School in Bangkok.
Just five years later this school was recognized as having become one of the foremost in its class when the Ministry of Education issued it with educational and TEFL licences.
In September 2004, Tewi decided to go even further in her own educational quest for outstanding achievement by taking up a doctorate degree course. This made her mother extremely proud.
Just three months later the Boxing Day tsunami struck the south and among those tragically killed was Tewi’s mother.
The tragedy spurred Tewi on to make sure she gained her Doctorate, for her own satisfaction but equally as a tribute to her inspirational and much-admired mother.
Tewi finally gained her Ph.D in 2011 and, in July 2012, was awarded a second doctorate.
While taking on the educational task of studying for her Ph.D, Tewi was also expanding her TLS Language Schools. Business and education combined in the business of education. That they have proved so successful is probably of no surprise to anyone who is aware of the sacrifices and the driving ambition of Dr Tewi Gleeson.
At present Dr Tewi teaches Master’s Degree courses at two universities and is an advisor on three Senate committees. Time management is obviously another of her skills.
TLS Language Schools currently number five, with two centres in Bangkok, one in Lopburi, one in Ayutthaya, and one in Pattaya. The latter received an award for excellence from the Ministry of Education in 2012 and is currently the largest language school on the Eastern Seaboard.
At the time of the award Dr Tewi unselfishly praised her Pattaya staff, saying, “Credit must go to the manager and staff for their dedication, commitment, high standards and hard work in producing quality results.” These are adjectives easily appended to Dr Tewi herself.
For anyone interested in knowing more about the schools, simply check out heir website: www.tlslanguageschool.com
