TEFL Heaven Thailand | TEFL/TESOL & Placement Program

I had been told by friends who had done this course before me that it was going to be the most fun I'd ever have. You never really think your friends mean it when they say those things; but in this case, they really did. I learned so much about teaching in this country and made some incredible, life long friends that are my support system now in Thailand. The trainers are passionate about their jobs, which both inspires and excites you to be the best teacher you can. I considered doing the online certificate program (mostly because of financial reasons) but having done this 3 week course now, I am so happy I did it. It's worth every penny and honestly prepares you so much for your first day, and the rest of your time here in this beautiful country full of smiles!

I came out to Thailand on a bit of a whim, looking for a challenge and a change of pace. I chose the TEFL Heaven course on Koh Chang based on a recommendation from a friend who had also taken the course - and I am so grateful! I had zero teaching experience and very little travelling under my belt. It's safe to say that I was beyond nervous! TEFL Heaven provided a well-structured, informative course that helped reassure me that I had made the right choice. The location was beautiful and the accomodation ideal. The trainers were super helpful and being able to hear their own stories and experiences was a huge help. The guidance and support offered on this course boosted my confidence more than I could have hoped for and I went off to my placement feeling prepared and eager to get stuck in. Thai language and culture aspects of the course really helped set me up for life here and made it easier to settle into my small town. The other trainees quickly became my Thailand family and that sort of support network is priceless. Teaching abroad is always going to be a steep learning curve, and what you get out of it is based so much on your own attitude and willingness to persevere. Saying that, TEFL Heaven provided a great foundation on which I have been able to build on over a subsequent year and a half teaching. I'd highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a high quality TEFL course.

Applied for the VTP as a spur of the moment thing (had the holiday blues lol), and it was the best thing i've done to date!
The people I met were lovely and supportive, had some amazing experiences & met some lifelong friends.
I have already been back to Thailand & i'm sure it wot be long before i return again.
The teaching side of it was great, sometimes challanging (as the thai teachers were not always particularly able to help/understand) but the ETA/TEFL team were always on the other end of the phone & helped with any problems.
Stayed friends with several of the staff & fellow volunteers!

If you are considering it - DO IT!!!! You wont regret it! But it might change your life & make your dull old life seem rather boring haha!

I found the teaching bit very enjoyable. However, I also found it challenging at times as I had never taught before and sometimes felt overwhelmed when I entered the classroom.
At times, I didn't quite know what to do as the pupils acted differently every day and no day is like the other. In general, pupils behaved very well but got distracted when the lesson slowed down because of my poor lesson planning.
Even though lots of activities were provided by TEFL heaven, it was difficult to remember them all and use them in the classroom. Therefore, I felt like I needed more time doing a TEFL course. The 9 days were too short for me.

In summary, it still was an amazing experience and I'm very glad I did it. Thailand and it's people is amazing and beautiful. TEFL heaven did a fantastic job to accommodate and take care of all of us and their training was good and enjoyable. I ended up doing a PGCE course after I returned from Thailand and will now end up as a German and French teacher in secondary schools. So, I guess that says it all :o)

I did my TEFL training with TEFL Heaven/ ETA almost two years ago now and couldn't recommend them more highly. The organisation and support were excellent and the staff were really good throughout the entuire process. I made some friends for life on the course and had a fantastic time. I have made a video about my experiences... feel free to have a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eZsFJfj8cI

I was part of the TEFL training program in April 2012 on Koh Chang. First off I have to say the location is pretty amazing, especially reflecting from here in the cold and drizzly UK. There is plenty to do outside of course times, with Song Taews (pick up trucks installed with bench seats) available to take you from the admittedly remote (though tranquil) resort of Siam Bay to Tai Bay for shopping, or the other direction to Lonely Beach's nightspots. Alternatively hire a scooter and head to White Sands for beachside cocktails, or drive further afield and visit one of the many swimmable waterfalls. Wow, I'm making myself miss it typing this! The accommodation was basic but livable, being comfortable enough with air con and soft beds. As for the Krabi course getting a better deal, I was informed by my friend who'd been on that course that the resort was so swish the company effectively made no profit, so no one in the future will be getting such a good deal. They were just lucky this time.

On to the course though, and while intense at times (some days while doing essays can be a full 12 hour day), there was always an effort to make it enjoyable from the two main trainers. It was 100% face to face, none of this internet rubbish other TEFL providers offer, and included evaluated time teaching in island schools. Despite what some others have said, I would argue that teaching in Thailand is not the hardest job in the world, and therefore you don't need people with years of experience training you - don't kid yourself this is a professional career you're getting into! If you can dance around and shout some English (or French, or whatever, they honestly wouldn't know the difference), the kids will be thrilled by the big white clown - anything else is superfluous.

Once I left the course and was handed over to TEFL heaven's partner agency, Media Kids, things started going downhill. I am dismayed that such an incompetent collection of people are allowed to run such a company. Their 'training' in Bangkok was a complete waste of time. Once we arrived in our placement town, we literally had to fend for ourselves - the partner organization, Media Kids, had done nothing to orientate us there, and our introduction to the school was looking it up on google maps and wandering in the first morning asking for the English department. They were even worse when it came to work permits and visas (made worse by our horrifically irritating excuse for a consultant, who thought the best way to placate your anger at him lying to you about matters that could get you thrown out the country was to make puppy dog eyes and stroke your arm). I can't say I was too happy with the school either, who started us on ~16 contact hours per week and by the end had gradually pushed the uncomplaining falangs up to ~25+ with no extra pay. This was while they sat around at their desks gossiping, stuffing sticky rice into their mouths and watching YouTube, waiting for the next class in a sparsely populated 10 contact hour week (btw TEFL teachers weren't allowed to interact with each other - we did and got moved desks because "falang no sit together"). The final straw was when they arbitrarily decided we would work all Saturdays in September with no extra pay, so ~30+ hours on a 16 hour contact. As we had heard reports of the partner organization not paying people for their worked month (so £600) who gave notice, 3 out of 4 of us foreign teachers did a runner the day after payday.

I had a blast, if it wasn't for ETA and their placement scheme from England to Thailand, my life would be entirely different.

Take it from the girl that is still in Thailand, three years later, it will change your life for the better.

I actually can't really fault TEFL heaven. Right from the beginning you are told how great Thailand is AND the hard parts.

You artfully prepared with what you need money and items wise. I was on Koh Kood and yes it was pretty boring as there wasn't much to do and there was scary thunder. But again tefl heaven told us that and actually it was a fairly unique experience which I am glad I had. Plus we went to Koh Chang a couple weekends so there is alternatives.

When we first arrived they resort did not live up to expectations basic it was not. More like TEFL Hell with shacks over swamps but very quickly they changed us to far superior accommodation which went beyond our expectations.

The trainers were fun and friendly and we learnt some thai. They told us what school would be like and they were fairly wrong but they also said every school was different.

I had my 3 weeks on a paradise island and got a TEFL certificate and an awesome school can't be better than that.