Gotoco

Gotoco FUNDED TEFL Adventures (Bali, Thailand, Colombia, Europe, SE Asia!)

Why choose Gotoco FUNDED TEFL Adventures (Bali, Thailand, Colombia, Europe, SE Asia!)?

Interested in FUNDED/FREE and short-term TEFL adventures abroad? We provide a global immersive experience to give you TEFL,teaching experience, cultural exchange and travel opportunities that cannot be rivalled. Our projects allow you to flourish and explore, while contributing to our mission to make a positive social impact.

What you get:
- Free/funded placement service and access to support network
- Funded/funded TEFL training and certification
- Free/funded accommodation and meals during your project
- Free/funded visa and flight assistance

- Check out our Instagram @gotoco_ for highlights, key info, and competitions

Our prize-winning work has been recognised by various awards, including the prestigious China Social Impact Awards 2019, an award granted through the United Nations and British Chamber of Commerce in China.

Gotoco is a social enterprise focused on boosting cultural exchange and international adventure. Gotoco works with over 40 programmes in 10 countries. Join us!

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to help you plan with confidence.

Reviews

Niti
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My trip to Vietnam was amazing

My trip to Vietnam was amazing, especially getting to soak up the culture and eat all that great local food in my downtime. I also loved bonding with the locals and the other people on the program, and I really grew a lot in terms of confidence and independence. I would highly recommend this programme to anyone, especially friends pursuing their QTS. It offers invaluable hands-on, international classroom experience that drastically improves your adaptability, public speaking, and behavior management skills. Managing diverse groups and overcoming communication barriers provides a unique real-world teaching confidence

Jumaimah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

such a fun and exciting experience

I really enjoyed my experience teaching in Vietnam. The country has so much to offer in terms of landscapes and different sceneries, as well as history and culture, but most importantly the people, vibe and energy was unmatched. I undertook this programme on a spontaneous decision and have not had any previous experience teaching. Though, I could not recommend it more if want to develop your communication and leadership skills. There was a good balance of teaching and also learning about the children's regular routines. Further Afield and Gotoco were super helpful and were very supportive during the whole process. Again, there is really nothing to loose and so much to gain, explore new places and enjoy it !!

What was your funniest moment?
I have sooooo sooo many but at the mid-autumn festival held at my school, the lion dancers were just soo amazing and I just loved watching it every time it happened. On a random day on the street we saw another performance taking place but I recognised one of the performers, I went up to him and said the name my school and he was shocked to be recognised. It was such a funny moment for me seeing the shock and joy on his face.
Pros
  • Amazing atmosphere and vibes during the festival
  • People are so open and kind once you open up
  • The excursions on the programme timetable are a must
What other participants should know
  • IF YOU LIKE NATURE SON TRA IS NOT TOO FAR AND SO SO SO WORTH IT TO SEE
  • NINH BINH IS SOOO WORTH IT
  • you will miss your kids everyday....
Maysah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Rewarding Volunteering Experience in Vietnam

My experience volunteering in Vietnam was truly unforgettable and one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

I’m so grateful for the opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet incredible people, and create beautiful memories that I will cherish forever. Being able to work with the children, take part in cultural exchanges, and learn more about Vietnamese traditions made this experience even more special. Seeing the children’s smiles, enthusiasm, and excitement reminded me of how meaningful even the smallest interactions can be.

Beyond the volunteering itself, this journey allowed me to step outside my comfort zone, grow in confidence, become more independent, and see the world from a different perspective. I also had the pleasure of meeting amazing fellow volunteers who made the experience even more memorable.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped organise the programme and made us feel welcome throughout our time in Vietnam. I would highly recommend this opportunity to anyone looking to make a positive impact, experience a new culture, meet wonderful people, and create memories that will stay with them for a lifetime.

Vietnam will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity. 🇻🇳

Oualid
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An incredible experience teaching English in Thailand!

I joined Gotoco's English teaching programme in Thailand in August 2026, and it was genuinely one of the best experiences I've had.

My favourite part was teaching English to children aged 6–12. We organised lessons, played educational games and spent time getting to know the students. The children were so welcoming, and by the end of the programme, we had built such a strong connection that saying goodbye was really emotional.

Another highlight was meeting people from different backgrounds and making friendships that I've continued since returning to the UK. We also had opportunities to explore Thailand, visit temples, experience the local culture and spend time together in Bangkok.

The funding support was a huge benefit, as it helped cover travel and living costs and made the experience much more accessible.

The programme also helped me become more confident, independent and adaptable. I improved my communication, teamwork and leadership skills while experiencing a completely different environment.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Gotoco to anyone interested in teaching abroad, travelling and experiencing something meaningful. It's an experience I'll always remember!

What was your funniest moment?
Some of the funniest moments were definitely during our English lessons with the children. We played different games and activities, and sometimes the students would get so excited and competitive that the whole classroom would end up laughing. There were also plenty of funny moments with the other volunteers, especially when exploring Thailand together and trying new things. Those little moments made the experience even more memorable.
Pros
  • Building connections with the students and seeing them enjoy learning English was incredibly rewarding.
  • Making amazing friendships with volunteers from different backgrounds and exploring Thailand together.
  • Having financial support for flights, accommodation and food made the experience much more affordable and accessible.
What other participants should know
  • I wish the teaching programme had been longer, as we were just starting to build strong connections with the children.
  • A little more practical training before entering the classroom would have helped us feel more confident and prepared.
  • Some days felt quite packed, leaving limited time to relax or explore Thailand independently.
Zohre
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Such a great experience!

Gotoco made teaching in Thailand really easy to get into.

The team was friendly and organised, the training prepared me well, and I always felt supported along the way.

Teaching the kids was a lot of fun, and the cultural trips were a great extra, from temple visits to exploring on the weekends. It pushed me out of my comfort zone in the best way, and I met some great people while doing it.

Lesson planning takes some effort and the heat and food took some getting used to, but it was all worth it. I'd happily recommend it to anyone thinking about it!

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

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

Molly Hardy

Molly is from South Wales, she quit her job as a bar manager to take up the offer of a TESOL programme with GoToCo in Thailand and absolutely loved it.
Molly Hardy

Interview

Why did you choose this program?

The fact that we could travel, teach and gain a worthwhile qualification all at the same time, really spoke to me. I love to travel, experience new cultures and meet new people and I’d never been to Thailand. As a solo traveller on this adventure, Thailand was the best place for me to find my feet and give me the confidence to grow. I have GoToCo to thank for that.

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

We were advised what dates to book our flights best for our programme start, we had to book the flights ourselves; but the assistance was there. GoToCo were a great help with our visas too. That was a long process because we weren’t aware of the new paperwork they wanted for our visa but GoToCo were super helpful and made sure we had all relevant documents. All our transport was sorted and at first we really didn’t need to think about anything.

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

For me, personally, I wish I had packed lighter. You actually don’t need all the things that you think you might need and there’s so many cool things to buy out here that you don’t want to have no room to be able to take stuff home. So yeah, really think about what your packing, I know it may be a favourite thing but do you really need all those pairs of sandals?

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

When we were placed at our school, we were fortunate enough to have accommodation right by the school which meant we didn’t need to get up super early but the school day started at 7:45 and ended at 3:45. Some days would be full of teaching but some you may only have two lessons, so they were more chilled. When the school day ended we would normally go back to our rooms, chill out and then meet for dinner in the evening. It was pretty chilled.

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?

I guess not knowing where I was going to be placed for my teaching and where I would be living for 6 weeks was a bit mad. But in actual matter of fact when I got here, I was kind of in the mindset of what will be will be. Like just take everything in your stride, there’s not a lot than can be changed now. So just be grateful
Write and answer your own question.

How did you find living in a different culture?

Honestly, I loved it, I’m a pretty laid back person anyway and this trip just solidified it, you just have to accept things as they are. After all it’s a completely different culture to what you’re used to, you’re not here to change the culture and you must remember that, you’re here to embrace it. Once you’re in that mindset you’ll have the best time.