Teacher's Friend

Teacher's Friend

Why choose Teacher's Friend?

Teacher's Friend is a friendly, well-established service designed by teachers, for teachers. I am not a huge company or faceless organisation. I am a real person, offering personal, honest and reliable help and advice. My aim is to make incredible teaching opportunities easy and accessible.

Founded
2014

Reviews

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Lauren
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible support before, during and after TEFL.

I booked my in person TEFL course through Teachers Friend, I had spent months searching for the perfect programme and person who could assist me in my journey to become a teacher. I knew straight away when I had my first meeting with Georgie that she was the one, and after completing my TEFL I am so thankful I chose her. Even before I left the UK she had helped me with my visa, insurance, phone sim, certifying & legalising my degree in Vietnam, DBS background check, advised me on vaccinations, flights, found me beautiful accommodation and generally supported me throughout, all my worries melted away.

This whole journey has been an enlightening and enriching experience thanks to Georgie, she possesses a rare blend of expertise, passion, and empathy that truly sets her apart from the rest. I think the name Teacher's Friend fits perfect because Georgie genuinely feels like a friend to me, she never gave up on me (even when I had given up on myself) she is warm, compassionate and so easy to talk to. Georgie consistently provided me with support and guidance during moments of distress, whether it was feeling homesick, navigating housing arrangements, job concerns, or simply managing anxious thoughts.

I was awarded a distinction in my training which I 100% could not have achieved without Georgie!
If you are looking for someone to help you with your goal of becoming a teacher, look no further.

Thank you so much Georgie, you are a star.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Half way though the course I had a major freak out, I became overwhelmed and completely doubted my ability to complete the course. Luckily Georgie had faith in me, she was my lifeline! Georgie talked though my worries and anxieties, she gave me the confidence and reassurance to carry on, without her I would have almost certainly given up and gone back home.
Pros
  • Incredible support.
  • A wealth of knowledge and experience.
  • Genuinely one of the kindest people Ive ever met.
Cons
  • Literally none.
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Leah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Exceptional. Sincere assistance.

Georgie helped demystify what will be an interesting path to a fulfilling teaching position. My situation has some unique elements and Georgie addressed each of them easily, quickly and I felt an easy rapport. I'm hoping to be in a position to take advantage of her positive advice. Thank you, Georgie. Your shared knowledge is a God send in the labyrinth of teaching abroad opportunities.
I am hoping to continue working with Georgie as I go forward investigating opportunities overseas, as a retiree.

What was your funniest moment?
None yet@
Pros
  • Quick detailed service
Cons
  • None encountered
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Olga
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Georgie

I was so privileged to have Georgie as my TEFL instructor. She is amazing. It’s not only how well she knows what she’s teaching, it’s the way she can adjust and customize the games and teaching tools for the lesson’s objectives and make the lesson both educational and fun. I learned so much from her. I loved how she put the theory into practice and provided me with a safe space to practice myself and gave a detailed feedback on what went well and what could’ve gone better. I definitely recommend her as an instructor!!!

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Tahrene
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Look No Further for A Program

While I did not book my course through Teacher's Friend, I so badly wished that I had. Georgie was my teacher and mentor throughout my course, and the amount of support that she offers is uncomparable to what I had with the company I initially booked through. She has been been in SEA for 11 years and knows all the inns and outs of what is needed. Her support doesn't end when your course does and she is always available with any issues even when you start working. There is no other company that I would recommend with as much enthuasiasm as Teacher's Friend!

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Jaun-Drè
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Georgie: The perfect example of exceptional teaching

As I sit down to reflect on my journey through the TEFL course in Bali, there's one person who shines like a beacon of inspiration in my memories: Georgie. To say that she's an incredible trainer would be an understatement. Georgie isn't just someone who taught me the ropes of teaching English; she became a guiding light, a mentor, and a friend.

From the moment I met Georgie, her dedication to her craft was incredible. She approached every aspect of the course with unwavering commitment, a trait that immediately inspired confidence in me as a trainee. Her hard work was evident in every lesson, every activity, and every word of advice she offered.

What struck me most about Georgie was her genuine passion for teaching. It wasn't just a job for her; it was a calling. This passion infused every session with energy and excitement, making learning not just informative, but downright enjoyable. Georgie's ability to integrate games and fun activities into our training sessions not only made the content more accessible, but also demonstrated her creativity and innovation as an educator.

One of the biggest challenges I faced during the course was learning to teach different age groups. This is where Georgie truly excelled as a trainer. She didn't just provide us with theoretical knowledge; she guided us through practical exercises that prepared us for the diverse classrooms we would encounter in our teaching careers. Her insights and strategies were invaluable, and I emerged from the course feeling confident and equipped to handle any group of students.

But Georgie's impact went beyond just teaching techniques. She mentored us in ways that extended far beyond the classroom. She took the time to understand each trainee's strengths, weaknesses, and individual learning styles, tailoring her guidance to suit our needs. Her personalized approach made me feel seen, valued, and supported every step of the way.

Georgie wasn't just a trainer; she was a source of inspiration and motivation. Her enthusiasm was infectious, her encouragement unwavering, and her belief in our potential unwavering. She didn't just teach us how to be better educators; she showed us what it means to be passionate, compassionate, and dedicated human beings.

In conclusion, I can say with absolute sincerity that Georgie is more than just a trainer; she's a mentor, a role model, and a friend. Her impact on my life and my teaching career is immeasurable, and I will be forever grateful for the time I spent under her guidance. If you're considering embarking on a TEFL journey, I wholeheartedly recommend Georgie as your guide. You won't just learn how to teach; you'll learn how to inspire, motivate, and make a difference in the lives of others.

What was your funniest moment?
Baby we were fireworks, come on let your colors burst!! (sing-along-car-drives)

One of the most memorable and uproarious experiences during our TEFL course in Bali was undoubtedly the car rides with Georgie, our dedicated trainer, as we made our way to various teaching locations like Prama Hotel and local schools. Picture this: JD, Matt, Aoife, Ciara, Tahrene, and Georgie all packed into a car, bursting with energy and anticipation for the day ahead. Our journeys were anything but boring. Instead, they were filled with offbeat conversations, sing-alongs (Katy Perry baby, we are never ever ever getting back together), and bouts of uncontrollable laughter that left our stomachs aching. We delved into discussions about everything under the sun, from food to music to the age-old debate of whether Georgie's hair should be kept together or let loose. These car rides weren't just a means of transportation; they were moments of complete silliness and pure joy that bonded us as a group and added an extra layer of magic to our TEFL experience.
Pros
  • Teaching experience and adventure
  • Opportunities to delve into new cultures and ways of living
  • Enrichment, motivation and inspiration
Cons
  • "The hot weather had me dripping 😂, but hey, that's just me in summer!!!
  • More pros
  • More pros and more pros

Programs

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Staff Interviews

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

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favorite travel memories was being "adopted" by a group of local Vietnamese friends who lived in Nha Trang.

We met them at a waterfall and while I spoke no Vietnamese and them no English, they invited us to join their picnic. We had a lovely afternoon together and went and had drinks and coffee with them afterwards. This progressed to being invited back to their house for dinner, where we all sat on the floor and ate a communal meal - again communicating using lots of gestures, hand movements and smiles.

After, they invited us to go dancing with them as it was Halloween and there was a big party happening in town. At 2am, they told us that we must meet them the next day so they could take us fishing! It was lovely to be shown around by such friendly locals.

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

As the director of this company, it amazes me how much people appreciate the service which we offer. It has made me realize that the biggest part of moving abroad is actually the small things - the tiny nagging questions, the uncertainty, the unnecessary stress.

I've learned that taking care of the small stuff often makes everything else fall into place. This means a lot of work and forward planning on our behalf, to make everything perfect for the teachers.

Our number one aim is to make everything as stress free as possible.

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

As a start up company offering year long contracts for teachers, all of our teachers are currently still in Vietnam. One girl planned to be in Vietnam for four to six months and within two weeks had signed a year long contract - perfect!

Some teachers stay in touch with us regularly throughout their time in Vietnam, sending us the odd question such as the best places to eat, places to visit and advice on anything and everything, while others spread their wings and fly the moment they land - because we prepared them well for everything before they arrived.

We are happy to put you in touch with our current teachers already in Vietnam to hear what they have to say!

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

Currently, we only offer programs to Vietnam, because it's one of the best countries for teaching English. The people are friendly, the wages are high, the cost of living is low and the scenery is incredible!

However, in the future we hope to expand our services to other South East Asian countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand and China.

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

Our company is unique because it is built by teachers, for teachers. We have all been there, made the mistakes and come out stronger for it.

Our aim is to get you there, and make you stronger but with as few mistakes as possible and a lot of fun on the way. We made the mistakes, so you don't have to.

Also, we aim to be not just a company but a friend to our teachers. We go far beyond the demands of the contract and really offer our expertise as a friend, not a business. When comparing prices for other similar Teach Abroad programs, we are by far the cheapest and offer the most value, time and support to our teachers.

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

The biggest factor in the success of our company is the people and the excellent customer service.

Everyone here has lived in Vietnam teaching English or is a local, so we all know the place like the back of our hand. We all LOVE Vietnam, and so get just as excited when sending people on their trips as the new teachers do!

I love seeing the results that we provide, and taking away that first time abroad stress.