I chose this program as my friends brother completed his TEFL course though TEFL heaven and he could not praise TEFL heaven enough. Before sending in my application I did my research and the reviews online were fantastic and the email response to my questions were quick and the staff quickly made me feel at ease and answered all my questions. I also chose this program because visiting south east Asia was always something I wanted to do as my parents had their honeymoon in Thailand. Furthermore, I also got to do my training on a paradise island!
Alumni Spotlight: Amber Parker
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Amber is from UK and has completed her accredited worldwide TEFL certificate in Thailand. She did her 3 week in country TEFL course on the beautiful island of Koh Samui in the south of Thailand. She then went on to teach kindergarten children in Bangkok and travelled to Cambodia, Laos, Bali and the surrounding cities/islands during her time in Thailand.
Why did you choose this program?
What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?
The program provided assisted me with assistance in finding accommodation after training (as during training accommodation is included), visa support, advice on what documents to bring, airport transfers, a shuttle coach to travel from Bangkok down to the island I was training on and they supported me in finding a job straight after training. All the program advisors and staff were so lovely and clearly loved what they do which 100% reflected in their work. The only thing I had to do really was to organize my flights and make sure I packed the appropriate items!!
What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?
My advice is, do your research about the program and the country that you are interested in and do not be afraid to ask questions to the program advisors as they are so helpful and there is no such thing as a silly question.
Bring a months worth of savings with you just in case there’s an emergency, take out travel insurance, make sure your passport is valid and get your degree legalized before you fly.
What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?
The average day is you would wake up every morning have breakfast with all of your course friends. Then get to the training room for around 10am, the trainer would go through what you would learn during the day I.e lesson plans, grammar lessons, fun tools, tips and games.
You would have a morning of theory on grammar or how to teach a class and then in the afternoon you would practice your teaching in front of your class friends. This isn’t scary everyone is so supportive and in the same boat as you!! By the end of the 3 weeks of training you will feel super confident to teach English to a class.
Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?
My biggest fear was missing home as I never travelled alone before. I overcame this quickly as I met so many friends on my program that became like a second family to me, I also was super busy to even realize I was missing home as I was either teaching or travelling. Also the wonders of technology and social media enabled me to speak to my family, boyfriend and friends all the time.
What were a few of your favorite moments?
My favorite few stories are when I was on the way back to my condo in Bangkok from the BTS (Bangkok Skytrain) and on the way back the monsoon rain started, there was no cover for me to go under so I had to walk back to my condo which soaked me. My flip flop broke and i remember looking in the mirror when I got home laughing as I looked so funny.
I also will never forget seeing the sunset over Angkor Wat in Cambodia and I will also never forget the tropical humid heat that hits you when you step off the plane!!