LanguageCorps
Programs and Reviews
LanguageCorps is a premier provider of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification programs. Our programs around the world empower our Teachers to thrive as professionals abroad, living in fascinating locations while gaining valuable experience teaching English.
Programs are available in 22 locations in 20 countries:
- Asia: Cambodia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam
- Europe: Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Morocco, Russia, Spain, Turkey
- Latin America: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru
Programs vary by country, but all include:
- Intensive, 140-hour, four-week TEFL/TESOL training and certification course in the country of your choice
- Pre-departure support
- Accommodations if desired
- Assistance finding a paid teaching position that is right for you, with a reputable school
Programs Abroad
Jobs
Reviews
30%Overall
Rating
100%Overall
Rating
I would go teach in Ecuador again in a heartbeat. I had an amazing time, people were great, I made some great friends, and had some great adventures.
Now for LanguageCorps: It's not worth the money. If you have extra cash lying around, and you are not interested in doing much work yourself, go for it. Otherwise, I suggest looking up TOEFL certificate programs independently. The cost of the school that I went to was 1,600 if I did not do it through LanguageCorps. It was 3,000 with them. So let's examine where that extra 1,400 went?
There was information before I left provided for me - guidance on the visa process, etc. I still had to do all the paperwork myself (medical vaccinations, police background checks, etc). There was housing when I got there, including meals. This was great that it was set up for me, but I moved out as quickly as I could, because I found (easily) an international hostel in the center of town for only 180/month (which is a bit expensive for what it is, but it's somewhere to start). They did not have job search support, other than a list of places to try. I had to find the jobs myself - I recommend a private school as they pay much better, especially for foreigners. Also, remember that private lessons are flexible, easy extra cash - a $30 advertisement in the newspaper will pay for itself in 3 or 4 lessons.
Bottom line: $1,400 is about 2 1/2 months of more than comfortable living in Ecuador - something I would have loved to have back when I was wishing I could stay longer.
If money is no issue, don't worry about it. If you want your hard earned savings to go toward living and experiencing another country and culture, do it yourself. Be a little adventurous!
Happy travels!!
90%Overall
Rating
They take care of you during training and make sure to show you the local sights. The training was very applicable to your day-to-day teaching responsibilities and you also get hands-on experience teaching in a classroom for two weeks. Job placement assistance was a bit weak, but thankfully jobs are plentiful in Thailand.
30%Overall
Rating
Overall, it is what it is. However, there was very little support from the main staff in Cambodia and it was not very professional. The people who go there to teach English were not treated well by the main staff nor were we assisted much in finding a job. The webpage says one thing and when you get there, you are given something else. The students who pay money to go over there are ambassadors of our own countries but the staff "promoted" partying with the cheap beer prices in Phnom Penh. If you are looking for a professional setting and a positive one, look elsewhere.
LanguageCorps's Response to Thoroughly Disappointed:
Hello, I work with w/ LanguageCorps here in our US office. I am very to sorry that you found your experience with our program in Thailand to be less than satisfactory.
We take great pride in striving to ensure that each participant has a great experience living and working abroad, and the vast majority of program participants are very satisfied (as you can see from the many positive reviews here.)
If you would like to email me at Info@languagecorps.com to further discuss your experience, we would love to hear from you. We are always trying to do better and feedback from participants is the most important part of improving our programs.
Best,
Steve Patton
100%Overall
Rating
My experience at The Language Corp/Via Lingua CTEFL course can only be described as thorough and rigorous.
This program has several crucial components. The facilitators were engaging and knowledgeable. The materials and methods were covered in detail. The teaching practice was an invaluable part of the program. Outside professionals were brought in for in depth study of English language grammar. I was prepared for the real world of teaching abroad in a way that I would not have expected. I am currently teaching in a language school and teaching privately. The language school uses textbooks. But my education through the CTEFL course has made it possible for me to be able to tailor my private students lesson plans with ease and confidence.
Staff Interview
Steve is 26 year old travel enthusiast. He calls Boston home even though he spends as much time on the road as he does in any one place these days. He's a marketer and writer with a focus on the ESL field, and has also logged time playing drums in several touring bands. Japan is next on his travel wish list!
Go Overseas: What position do you hold at LanguageCorps? What has your career path been like so far?
Steve: I am currently the Associate Director of Marketing with LanguageCorps. I help take care of pretty much everything that falls under the marketing umbrella for the company, from advertising and social media to program inquiry's, sales, and more. I graduated from Northeastern University in 2009 and after college I spent a lot of time traveling and playing music. I was also lucky enough to spend sometime in Southeast Asia. I started out as Head of College Relations at LanguageCorps in 2010 and as the company grew, I've absorbed more responsibility and it's been really fun watching things continue to progress!
Go Overseas: What trends have you noticed in the teach abroad industry?
Steve: With the American and European job markets struggling, more and more people are looking to teach English abroad as a way to make their resumes stand out while seeing the world at the same time. We continue to get more applications every year and it seems like Asia is becoming a more popular destination for LanguageCorps teachers which makes sense since it's typically the most lucrative.
Go Overseas: What separates LanguageCorps from other teach abroad providers?
Steve: We have always prided ourselves on our customer service and the thoroughness of our programs. There are a lot of options out there for TESOL certification, but LanguageCorps provides more than just a certification program. From job placement assistance to health and travel insurance, accommodations, etc. I believe that the level of support we provide our teachers is unmatched in the industry. It's our goal to make sure that all of our participants have a fantastic experience teaching English abroad!
Go Overseas: In your opinion, what makes a good international teacher?
Steve: Flexibility and a willingness to adapt to new situations are most important I think. Living and working abroad can be a bit of a shock and it takes a great attitude to embrace your surroundings and make the most of every situation even when things might not work perfectly. Especially for teachers living off the beaten path, patience and understanding go a long way towards ensuring a positive experience.
I graduated the course in the spring of this year. I happy with the academic side, but the director of LC Asia is irrational and moody and has little to no respect for students and staff. He regularly verbally abuses the staff in front of all the students at the Marady Hotel. The foreign staff were very helpful in general but the program director offered little to no assistance and never answered questions directly. He didn't appear to have any current knowledge about Cambodia and gave us misinformation about Thailand / Vietnam and the job scene.
I would advise against trusting anything the program director says and if you can't handle a very irritable director, then do not take the TESOL course at LanguageCorps Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam.