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Destination TEFL

4.96 Rating
181 reviews
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About

Destination TEFL, Koh Samui opened in 2011 as Samui TEFL, on the beautiful tropical island of Koh Samui, Thailand. The company has since expanded to other bucket list destinations.
Choose from:
Siem Reap, Cambodia – a land where ancient and modern worlds collide to create a unique destination, just a short distance to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Angkor Wat.
Bali, Indonesia - an island lifestyle where surfers happily mingle with foodies, adventure junkies, culture vultures and wellness warriors.
Bangkok, Thailand - the gateway to Asia, also known as the 'city of angels' - modern marvels and glories of the past, with endless activities and sites.
At all locations you are offered the same high quality accredited TEFL/TESOL course with skilled trainers, as well as job assistance.
Full visa support is offered with paperwork provided to assist with travel during the pandemic.
All courses offer practical training with REAL students.
Options for both degree and non-degree holders.

Website
www.destinationtefl.com
Founded
2011
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Community Photos

The whole group
Some of the group and I
Siem Reap tour and Class session
Class of January 2020
Beach front on Koh Samui
Teacher Practical at Private school
View from unit at D-Valley Resort
So proud
Drawing a face
My kiddies
Graduation day!
A day on the job
Field Trips!
A day off the job
Lunch at the beacj
Photo with the children

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Community Awards

  • Go Overseas Award

Reviews

Default avatar
Fereshteh
35
Female
Iran
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Destination TEFL Bali, 140-hour 4-week TEFL/TESOL course

A full on month!

Feb 28, 2023

This is an adventure that can shape someone's professional life forever. An intense month of lessons and practicum that goes so well with the fun times in class. The course includes a cultural day in which the students get to visit some historical and cultural sights, there is guidance and activities involved and it is a great bonding experience for the students as well as the staff. I also highly recommend doing a face-to-face course instead of online because actually having a trainer in the room with you and then putting it into the classroom in real life with real ESL students is invaluable.

Pros
  • perfect time management
  • great lesson planning
  • best support, both personal and professional
Cons
  • if there could be more time during the course for practicing that would be great.(course duration)
Default avatar
Gillian
30
Female
New Zealand
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Destination TEFL Bali, 140-hour 4-week TEFL/TESOL course

DT Bali

Feb 28, 2023

The course is intense so preparation is vital.
A calendar of what to expect in the 4 weeks would have been helpful for planning purposes & knowing what to expect each week.
Having a range of accomodation options would have been good to have, especially for people who have never been to Bali before.
Overall, the course was a great way to learn new skills and to use them in a school with practicums. Being able to put the learning in practice was so much fun. The students are keen learners of English.

Pros
  • Learning new teaching skills
  • Teaching in a different country
  • Made new friends
Cons
  • Culture shock in the first instance
  • Not being fully aware of what to expect in the course
  • Wifi not working at accomodation when homework was needing to be done
Default avatar
Cora
59
Female
Netherlands
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Destination TEFL Bali, 140-hour 4-week TEFL/TESOL course

Destination TEFL Bali

Feb 2, 2023

The focus I'd had before starting this course, was about 'how to make a proper lessonplan', which steps do you need to make, to create connection enough for effective teaching' and also 'how to make sure of that you're teaching is reaching the brains of your students so they actually learn, remember and grow in knowledge and self respect as well. This course has given me the chance to get the foundation of how te teach. I still need more time to let all the information sink in and of course a lot more practice to gain all the necessary skills of becoming a good teacher though.
This course has been a great starting point for all of this, so BIG THANKS to Georgie our trainer and to Willie who elicited me about the this course and the chance to step into this new adventure of teaching 🙏🙏🙏

Pros
  • Fast track
  • real-time in front of a class, teaching
  • meeting new people from all over the world
Cons
  • No time for all the information to sink in properly
  • you have to put your 'normal' life on hold
Default avatar
Clair
22
Female
South Africa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Destination TEFL Bali, 140-hour 4-week TEFL/TESOL course

Great experience

Feb 2, 2023

This is an amazing experience to have. To learn about the culture within Bali as well as learn how to teach others. You get to meet new people and become friends, and you learn how to get out of your comfort zone as well as learn new boundaries.
This course teaches a new skill and you dont have to use this skill in only teaching you can use it in other life experiences.😋
Work hard, stay humble, stay focused, dream big, think positive, don't complain, be kind, be happy and always hustle.🪷🌻 thanks DT

Pros
  • You learn a new skill
  • Get out of your comfort zone by pushing a few boundaries
  • Meeting new people
DT students and local teachers
Default avatar
Atmoko
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program
Program:
Destination TEFL Bali, 140-hour 4-week TEFL/TESOL course

Great place

Feb 2, 2023

The right place to train to be English teacher. They are professional. Good place to enjoy your holidays in Bali while having trainning. The program was great and I learnt a lot from this center. I had a lot of wonderful experience both in trainning and culture. I met new friends. The place became my family. I recommend to anyone who wants to have holidays but still want to learn to be English teacher. Staff and management are friendly. It is the perfect place to have fun and learn . The best place for learning. Thanks you so much D TEFL

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Programs

Displaying 1 - 5 of 5

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Maggie Gelon

Program
Bangkok 4-week 140-hour intensive TEFL / TESOL course
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Why did you choose this program?

I chose SamuiTEFL because of the consistent and positive reviews. The quality of the program and the teaching was raved about, and my experience confirmed the high praise. Plus, how can you beat going to school next to gorgeous beaches? I knew early on that the people running the program were committed to answering questions and providing resources, and, as a newbie to traveling, that was just what I needed.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

SamuiTEFL helped to organize our living accommodations and pick-up from the airport. They were continuously helpful with explaining visa policies and procurement. The program guided me through the job placement process after earning the TEFL certificate as well. Travel plans were independently organized.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I would advise that you go into an overseas program with an open mind, and that you give yourself time to adjust. You may not acclimate overnight and that's okay. Know that simple things, like finding a bank or a good cup of coffee, are sometimes the challenge of the day. Keep water, patience and some flexibility on you wherever you go, and you'll be soaring.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Monday - Friday you will be in class from about 8-4, and then evenings and weekends are yours. There may be some times when you'll be prepping outside of class, but you will have more than enough time to enjoy the island as well. In class, there is so much to soak up, so keep yourself rested and ready to learn.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I think one of my biggest fears was navigating the language barriers. I have been lucky in that, everywhere I have been, English has been quite commonly used (at least a little). However, good manners and smiles are universal and knowing just a little useful language can get you very far. Many people are very gracious to travelers and understand that you are a fish out of water. I'm so grateful for them!

What did you like most in the program?

Travel is very humbling and not nearly as glamorous as you might think. I have sweat stains in 80 percent of my travel photos. The littlest things become the biggest victories. Finding my way from point A to point B is something to celebrate. For as much as a challenge as travel can be, it is rewarding and invigorating to know you can navigate new experiences.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jane Openshaw

Program
Bangkok 4-week 140-hour intensive TEFL / TESOL course
Job Title
Office Manager
Jane started her TEFL career teaching in an English Program in Thailand. After this, Jane taught and managed for TEFL schools and language schools in both the UK and Thailand.

Jane loves to advise and assist new teachers starting out in their EFL careers. She observes lessons and assists Samui TEFL trainees with job placement.
Jane Openshaw

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favourite memory was a road trip with friends to visit Laos.

Firstly, I was surprised to see the French influence after living in a Southern city in Thailand for 3 years. I indulged on the wine and baguettes!

Travelling through the mountains and visiting all the rural villages on the roadside was a real eye-opener and inspired me to continue to teach and educate children in my future career.

We finished our journey in the town of Luang Prabang, with its serene nature surroundings and outstanding views. Here, we enjoyed some westernized facilities and restaurants for us to indulge in after a week on the road! It was a holiday I will never forget.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Working with Samui TEFL company means that I meet people from all walks of life who bring with them many different views of the world we live in. This teaches me to open up my mindset and increases my desire to learn, not only for teaching purposes but also for communication in all aspects of my life.

I thoroughly enjoy being able to guide new teachers and share the knowledge I have gained throughout my teaching career in order to help new teachers find their way in the teaching field.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

Most trainees on the TEFL Program have great teaching careers in Asia and worldwide for many years. I am most happy when ex graduates tell me their stories to want to further their skills and take on a teaching degree or educational course to expand their knowledge.

I have seen teachers become complacent with their work and eventually go back to their home countries after a few years. However, it is those teachers who start giving back to communities and take part in amazing volunteer work who inspire me the most!

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose Samui TEFL Program because the course is educational and challenging, but involves a lot of fun and games!

During the TEFL course, we visit schools around the beautiful Thai island of Koh Samui and volunteer teach at temple schools. The children at these schools are very excited to have Western teachers in the classroom and give you immense pleasure and job satisfaction when they show you their beaming smiles!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

The company is unique in that trainees on the program get hands-on teaching experience in Thai classrooms. The course content is up to date and encompasses all elements of modern-day teaching - from the use of technology in the classroom to online teaching.

I am always very proud of the team, who work together to give trainees the experience of a lifetime with full support - from the sign up day to get a job after the course. I am always impressed by the care and thoughtfulness of the owners and trainers -as well as the support staff- who work together and take care of one another like an extended family.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that for any company to be successful, there needs to be a wide spectrum within a working team. Destination TEFL (Samui TEFL) has team members from different parts of the world, each person bringing their own working ethics, educational background and expertise to ensure trainees on each course are given full support and guidance for their future careers depending on their own personal needs.