Program Reviews

I didn’t have much clue as to what a TEFL course would require before I started. Before, all my training had been based in sciences and not the arts which is where I would have previously classified languages.

What I found both theory and methodologies of teaching languages were much more evidence-based than I originally thought. But during the observed practice teaching sessions of my training, I got to try all my newly learned techniques out on non-English speaking students. This is where art met science. I got a ton of great feedback which I incorporated into my next teaching session. I surprisingly found this to be the part I liked best.

I found this course to be a very satisfying experience. The trainers are incredibly friendly and eager to help you succeed. They are quite knowledgeable, but have a levity which facilitates your learning.

The emphasis is on the practical—what works in the classroom. They do not bog you down with theoretical diatribes, but keep things simple and palatable. They also have a local knowledge which will help in particular if you are looking for work in Thailand. They have a specialized job coach who will both plug you into their extensive network of schools, but also develop your Power Resume and supporting job documentation materials.

I was very worried about doing a TEFL course because as a Thai, I was the same nationality as my students. I was also apprehensive about being in a course with all native speakers

The good news was that the class sizes were kept small so every student got a personal level of attention. Their trainer has wide-ranging experience in teaching English and in creating teaching curriculums and supporting materials. He really went out of his way to see how I doing and giving me constructive advice each step of the way turning me into a professional teacher. All this was a lot of work, but the course was always engaging, interesting and even fun.

Vantage made me realize that, as a non-native speaker, I had advantages. They told me that the process of learning a second language—something native English speakers rarely do—was very helpful in motivating students in second language acquisition.

I actually found I become a role model for my Thai students. Many times after class and they came up and told me that they didn’t really believe they could ever speak English like their American teachers. The fact that I’ve mastered English gave them hope and they were encouraged to keep trying.

Vantage’s TEFL program was truly world-class. I was developed into a teacher each step of the way during my practice sessions. I got very useful feedback after each class and I was challenged to incorporate something new into my next teaching session. As I grew more confident after each practice session, I became more competent in the classroom. I couldn’t have done this without these guys!

I was very skeptical about the value for such a certification, given my background which included a degree in child development and about 10 years teaching experience—mostly in the USA.

After doing my research, I choose Vantage because it had American university accreditation, which meant that I could use this certification anywhere in the world—particularly important criteria for me, as I plan to teach in other countries as well.

Given my somewhat bleak view, I did not expect much from the class. What was surprising was the challenge Vantage would put me through. This course was no piece of cake. In fact, it was quite challenging and quite rewarding—completely opposite from the perspective I had going into it.

The instructor was excellent. He was well-versed in what he was teaching and his insight and ideas that were a great guide to developing better techniques for good teaching. I particularly enjoyed his humor which would regularly come to keep you alert! He was always available for questions or help.

Our observed teacher practices at the nursing college were an excellent part of the course. Here we tried our craft at working with actual Thai language students. The instructor was there to observe, offering excellent feedback. His was particularly adept at giving input, knowing how to word constructive criticisms in a way so as to inspire and not offend. He also always left us with a challenge for our net teaching practice.

The course also did a great job guiding us into making good lesson plans…how to carry them out… critiquing how we did according to what our lesson plan was. We spent a lot of time was spent focusing on these lesson plans. I am very glad I took this course because I was particularly bad at lesson planning and learned quite a bit from this!

After I completed the course, the Jobs Coach worked with me one-on-one. We crafted my own Power Resume and Cover Letter that was targeted to the educational market segment I was focusing on. I was quite impressed by this resume and his advice on how to make resumes that employers like and will get your foot-in-the-door.

Last, but not least, they offer an abundance of resources on their website to places that you can get materials (workbooks, textbooks, teaching aids, etc), job placement websites, school organizations, etc. I found this particularly helpful to just about any teacher new or old.

Overall, I would highly recommend this TESOL certification school. The employees are friendly, well knowledgeable, and the material is presented well. You will certainly get your money’s worth. If there were any point of criticism I would have, I would have liked there to be more resources readily available for teachers who plan on teaching younger children. Vantage receives my top marks. Thanks, Vantage, for helping me become a better teacher—thanks for challenging me and pushing me to be my best!

Before selecting my TEFL course, I spent a lot of time researching on English teachers’ course programs trying to find the best fit for me. Vantage had one of the more serious websites and that was a key attraction. And I also got immediate replies to all my questions—and there were a lot of them.

As a Russian native speaker, I had my doubts about passing this class as I was worried my English was not good enough. I was also concerned I’d be the youngest student in the class. But Vantage’s trainers were superb and they helped by page by page and every practice session.

And, to tell the truth, I didn’t expect the course would be as hard as it was. Vantage TEFL course is intensive, so you most likely be a little exhausted during the class, but in a creative and good way. You’ll learn a lot of very important teaching techniques and methodologies like planning lessons, managing classes, eliciting target language and teaching aids. Vantage’s trainers guided me at every stage. I really saw myself growing as a teacher.

I would like to thank Chris, for being such an extraordinary teacher and mentor. Thank you for your patience and feedback you gave us. Also, the “Power Resume” and job interview techniques sessions were taught by Kevin who is passionate about what he does. His lessons were very helpful as I had never studied anything like this before.

So, thank you, Vantage TEFL Thailand course, for helping me to become super confident and to find advantages of being a young teacher and a non-native speaker.

The Vantage TEFL Certification course was an experience I will never forget. I wanted to explore Thailand because of their lovely people and the exotic culture.TEFL was something I had heard about through friends so I saw this as an fantastic opportunity.

However, coming to a foreign land with so many people from my small and cozy New Zealand plus the additional burden of an intensive 4 week course seemed incredibly daunting.
Kevin immediately put me to ease. He was incredibly helpful in the weeks leading into the course. Keeping up with what was happening and providing useful information regarding visas, accommodation, transport and what to expect with the course and Bangkok.

On the first day we met our trainer, mixed with our peers and the dove straight into it. I was the youngest in the class and I was worried about this, but we were all treated as equal and we were all in the same situation—training to be an English teacher and discovering what this means and involves.

It wasn’t easy—work needed to be done but they provided more than enough resources and support for the tasks to be completed to the highest standard. Due to the small class sizes, it was very personal and any queries were answered instantly. The workload was manageable and all problems were addressed immediately. .

I truly loved teaching at the nursing college—a wonderful learning experience. Observations from the trainers and our peers all through the course helped us improve after every practice lesson. I particularly found the feedback to be a big part of what enabled me to succeed.

They encouraged me to reach my full potential and helped build my confidence. They well and truly go out of their way to give their students the very best preparation to teach English and become great teachers. I feel ready and able to teach English. Thank you Chris, Kevin, Ryan and the rest of the Vantage team.

I worked for a large diversified financial services and insurance company for the past decade, but in my heart I wanted to teach. I was a bit sceptical to resign from my good and secure job and move to Thailand to complete my TEFL course with Bangkok-based Vantage.
I emailed Kevin, the course director, with all my concerns regarding their institute and what they had to offer. He was very professional and explained that the course will be very intensive, but rewarding at the end. This was the place teachers were born, he assured me.

My first day on course I was relieved and they had an excellent Lead Trainer and the best fellow trainees that I could have ever asked for. We immediately materialised together has one solid group—learning from and about each other. The course was very well structured with teaching theories, methodologies and teaching approaches
Then we actually had to teach in front of real students. I had no teaching experience and I was not confident at all to stand in front of live class. My first teaching lesson was good, but because I was very nervous, not a great as I could have been. The feedback I got from Vantage really help me in the second—and all subsequent classes. I’m now super confident. I can now design a lesson plan, work sheets, flash cards, games and power-point presentation. Vantage’s course also covered how technology is becoming a big part of our teaching and I’m now able to use it accordingly for each lesson.

Vantage has launched my teaching career and developed me to be a professional English teacher. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to have worked with amazing people and build lifelong relationships from this programme. I would recommend anyone who’s planning to come to Thailand to teach English to complete their TEFL Certification with Vantage’s programme. If you’re willing to work hard and dedicate yourself fully to the 4 weeks in class course you won’t regret investing your money and time to be competent and become a certified English teacher.

There are so TEFL courses to choose from in Thailand. I read all of the reviews. Some talked about “…the fun you could have at nearby beaches while taking our course." Other providers mentioned how you could see the nearby cultural sites around the city while you learn.

Too much tourism and too little detail on how they would enable any comprehensive learning. At the end of the day, I wanted to become a professional teacher. I figured the beaches would still be there to enjoy after a completed my training.

After my initial research phase, I decided to visit a short list different schools. For us, they had to be internationally recognized and accredited by a reputable educational Institution. I learned early that Thailand’s Ministry of Education doesn’t accredit or license any specific TELF program so programs that touted only this lost ranking points. Secondly, they had to have more than just a couple of hours of actual observed teaching practice. Thirdly, the trainers not only had to meet, but exceed stringent academic requirements for teaching ESL.

Finally, we found a TEFL course that met all of these expectation—and more. Vantage. The course training was highly professional and vigorous.

Our class size was relatively small so we received a high level of personal instruction all along the way. The main instructor, Chris, has an extensive background in teaching English and in developing teaching materials and even course curriculums. He is an accomplished language teacher focused on your learning to do what he does. He really goes out of his way to see how you’re developing into a professional teacher. In addition, he has a great sense of humor which makes the class engaging, interesting, and most of all—fun.

The other trainers were just as skilled and proficient. We learned how to format a "power resume" to help a prospective teacher stand out amongst other applicants and land your first job. Furthermore, we had a trainer that focused on some basic conversation of the Thai language as well as some of the important cultural norms.

Besides receiving a detailed education on lesson plans, grammar review, and classroom management, we feel that Vantage has provided us the necessary tools and a solid foundation to begin teaching ESL to others. We got a world-class teacher training program with an American accreditation at Vantage.

We certainly feel that we made the right choice.

I had researched several other TEFL courses before choosing Vantage. No one else stood out the way Vantage did. I was less interested in riding an elephant or lying on a beach and very focused on putting all my attention on learning how to teach properly.

Vantage was exactly what I was looking for. An intensive course that pushes you out of your comfort zone and draws out the very best of you. If you are looking for the easy route, take a relaxing and non-taxing TEFL course, having a tropical holiday for a month and get your piece of paper at the end of it, this is not your place. On the other hand, if you’re serious about actually wanting to learn how to teach properly and you are prepared to do the work then Vantage is the way to go. Vantage has exceeded my expectations in every way.

Before the course, I had a long list of personal concerns that I seriously thought would hold me back—some of which I thought were insurmountable. I thought I was too young, I thought I wasn't boisterous enough, wasn't qualified enough, the list goes on. Yet Vantage dealt with every one of my concerns in ways that I would have never thought of.

Vantage seemingly never takes a black or white approach to anything. They are able to view a circumstance from a different perspective—a different "vantage" point—allowing them to transform the disadvantage into an advantage. Whatever "concern" you are allowing to hold you back, it may not actually be as justified as you believed it to be.

The Vantage class sizes are small so the personal attention you receive is abundant. What really blew me away was how determined the trainers were to go above and beyond, putting everything they had into the delivery of the course. To me, this shows that the Vantage trainers are motivated by their desire to do the best job they are capable of rather than the financial compensation they receive for doing so.

I would recommend Vantage, but only to those who are serious about developing their ability to teach.

I took the course earlier this year and wanted to wait to teach a few months before I penned my review. I can now state that I found the course absolutely fantastic and truly worthwhile. Everything I learned has helped me tenfold in the classroom.

I’m extremely proud to say that I was trained by the best. The Vantage team is not just world class trainers, but mentors for life.

Chris, who has more than 20 years of experience in teaching is absolutely one of a kind. His immense knowledge, understanding, patience and exceptional method of training are what makes the course so invaluable and wonderful.

Kevin is the best job coach that you could ever find and his Power Resumes made me stand out in a crowded field of job applicants. He also produced a video of me addressing the advantages of being a non-native speaker. That alone got me through doors that a traditional paper approach would find slammed shut.

I've had an amazing experience with Vantage TEFL and I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who has a passion to learn the language thoroughly, excel in their methods and travel to impart your language skill.

There are many strengths to Vantage’s TEFL certification program: the professionalism and the knowledge of the instructors, the genuine interest they take in the development of the competency and abilities of their trainees, and their TEFL curriculum which had the right amount and sequencing of the course materials they covered.

I’ve taught for 15 + years at home and abroad, and a TEFL certification was something I wanted to add to my repertoire—not just for the qualification, but also to get up-to-speed on how digital technologies and new teaching methodologies are impacting second language acquisition.
This course far exceeded my expectations.
Another meaningful aspect of this program was class size. Some of the TEFL programs I researched had 16 or even 20 students in a course. Large classes always involve much more management and less actual classroom instruction. Vantage struck the appropriate balance between the two—particular as it helped us bond as a group.

The same balance was achieved between in-class study and the practicum (the observed teaching practices), which we did at a Thai college with Thai undergraduate students.

I would recommend Vantage’s program without reservation to any prospective teacher or even an experienced teacher who want to update outdated skills.