MediaKids Academy

Program Reviews

Mazuin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Adventure in Thailand

My experience as an English teacher here in Thailand is such a fun and amazing adventure. My students are all jolly and participative that makes my classes interactive and fun. Also, my co-teachers are all kind and helpful all the time. Aside from working as an English teacher, I also got ample time to travel and visit different places in Thailand which adds to my rich cultural experiences here. When it comes to the agency, the staff and personnel of the MediaKids Academy are like our family. They are very approachable, reliable and responsible mentors of us. They always respond to our queries and concerns on time. They always make us feel at ease in our work and stay in Thailand. Hence, if ever that someone would like to come in Thailand to teach, I would definitely recommend Mediakids Academy to him/her.

What would you improve about this program?
I think it is better if the MediaKids Academy will facilitate some tutorials or extra classes during the semestral break and summer break so that the teachers will have some money to support themselves during the breaks.
Heidi
3/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good Company, Okay Experience

Working for MediaKids has been my first experience teaching abroad and I have to say that they've done a great job at providing support for the logistical challenges of working in Thailand. My cultural consultants were very responsive and reassuring whenever I had questions about immigration, visas, work permits, holidays, or needed someone to help represent my interests to the administration at my placement school.

MediaKids has also provided great tools for my classroom. As a first-time teacher it was incredibly helpful to be given an outline for the semester, as well as recommended vocabulary and suggested classroom activities. At the same time, they give teachers room to personalize their lessons and cater to the varying level of students.

One thing I would note is that there seems to be a lot of disparity in people’s experiences working for this company. Some schools are very demanding and strict while others are pretty flexible and low-key. The level of students of the same age also varies from school to school. While my students are mostly polite and eager to learn, I have friends from orientation that have struggled with student behavioral issues and been unable to find support from MediaKids or their placement school. This variety might be unavoidable, due to the number of different schools across the country that use MediaKids ESL teachers, but it is still important to note if you’re considering working for them.

To conclude, it doesn’t seem like MediaKids is above the curve as far as ESL employers in Thailand. The pay and benefits provided by the company seem average for local standards (new teachers at public schools in rural areas). Also, regardless of which company or school you chose to work for, I imagine a lot of your experience living in Thailand will be dependent on your initiative and interests. All that being said, MediaKids is still a solid choice and I would recommend them as my experience being an employee of the company has been a generally good one.

What would you improve about this program?
I would suggest MediaKids work on fostering a support network and invest in creating social events and gatherings for their teachers throughout the semester- especially those in more remote areas of Esan. To be entirely honest, one of my main reason for leaving the company after 1 semester is the feeling of social isolation and restricted access to activities Iike yoga, hiking, and camping - things that would typically occupy my free time State-side that are more difficult to recreate in rural Esan. I've been inventive with finding solutions for how to stay active in my free time, but there is still a very small western community in my town and the social isolation has been a struggle.
Max
Max
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Experience to Remember in Thailand

Everyone has their reason for coming to Thailand. Some come for the adventure, some come for the partying, some come for the culture, and some--like me--have come for work. As I got on the plane that would take me to Bangkok for my orientation with MediaKids, I was, understandably, very nervous. Spending four months teaching hundreds of kids who speak a language that I don't seemed particularly daunting. But after the three-day orientation course with MediaKids, that nervousness was largely put to rest. From day one they did their best to quell any fears we had and make everything as clear as possible to us about what we should expect during this chapter of our lives. I left orientation with confidence I didn't expect to have and have never looked back. Yes, I was still a bit nervous on day one of teaching, but, because of MediaKids and their excellent staff, I was prepared. I'm over three months in now and can say that MediaKids still continues to be a delightful company to work for. Just about everyone I interact with from the company is very nice and genuinely cares about any issue I may have. It is quite refreshing to work for a company like them. If someone asks me about teaching English in Thailand, I will definitely speak favorably of MediaKids.

What would you improve about this program?
I don't like that we are not given a full-functioning debit card. With the Bangkok Bank card they give us, I am not easily able to make purchases online (for plane tickets, etc.) or even at some stores. Also there is a 15 baht withdrawal fee every time I need cash. Not much, but it adds up.
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Rhea
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

This experience allowed me to be exposed to the Thai culture. I am able to speak a little bit of Thai now. I met many great teachers through this program. They pick you up from the airport, which I thought was great. My Area Consultants were very helpful when I needed them.

My school had a mid semester break. It allowed me to travel to other parts of Thailand on my spare time. I got to visit Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Larn, U-Thong, Korat, and of course Bangkok.

I worked with high school students in Essan. The children can be fun to work with. They have a lot of fun school activities you can observe.

What would you improve about this program?
Communication and Organization could be improved.
Carlos
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

Working with MediaKids has been a memorable experience. I am going to continue working with MediaKids because this company is definitely a stepping stone to broaden my horizon, to learn, and teach in many other countries. Although there were emails lost in translation, MediaKids always got back to me with prudent information I was seeking. I will definitely recommend MediaKids to any other person looking to start their career in teaching abroad or simply trying to see the world by learning and teaching.

What would you improve about this program?
This program can improve by hiring more staff members assisting with passing crucial information regarding technical requirements ie visas. MediaKids can also improve by replying back to emails more promptly.
Samantha
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching changes your life.

Teaching with Media Kids was life changing. I found myself pushing out of my comfort zone all to have the most fun and teach my students the best I could. I grew as a person and came to love all my children along the way. Working with MK was easy, they take care of the legalities of living and working in Thailand, that was the biggest help. I would recommend working with MK and definitely recommend teaching in Thailand.

What would you improve about this program?
I think further teacher training would be useful. Especially for beginner ESL Teachers wanting to become better instructors.
Sheralin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Take the leap, start your career teaching in Thailand

If you enjoy the social aspect of life, make sure you posted in an area where there are other foreigners.

When you sign up with Media Kids they do get you to fill out a preference form, they use this form to place you to the best of their ability. Many areas are in rural Thailand but you can make the most out of any situation 😉

Overall my experience has been good. It’s an awesome opportunity to be able to teach English abroad.

DjNelson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching @ Banthaenwittaya School

This is my first experience teaching in a foreign country and I didn't regret doing it. The experiences I had for the past 3 months plus will make me a better teacher for sure. I got to learn the culture of Thailand through the daily encounter I have with my students and my co-teachers. I will always remember how my colleagues laugh at me when they let me repeat a Thai word which I failed badly. On the other side, Salary-wise , its not that big specially if you have a family to support but I did make the most out of my stay with my school and Mediakids.

What would you improve about this program?
Increase the base pay of Filipino teachers. I want to stay with the agency because I enjoyed working with the people and the support they give to the me is awesome but I find it hard to budget the salary I am receiving monthly. If you want your teachers to stick with you at least dont be too stingy with your base pay.
Ellie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Thailand

Media kids is a good way to begin your teaching experience in Thailand however I was placed in a location I didnt want and had problems with regards to getting my wages from my Thai bank into my UK and Mediakids also seemed to have no idea how to do this which I was very surprised by.

Very helpful with somethings however I still sometimes felt I did not have the support system they advertised.

Shey@31
Shiela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Bliss Journey

Sawadee-kha... :)

This is my first time to travel and work abroad. My journey here in Thailand with the help and support of Mediakids is great and blissful experience especially to a first timer traveler like me. I am so grateful to the staff of Mediakids, they are very accommodating and friendly. All of my queries and concerns were answered accordingly. We are reminded now and then on where, how, when, and what to do. I would like to commend them for a job well done, from the employment process, accommodation, visa extension and visa run, Mediakids is my all- through-out support and guide to make this experience a memorable one.

What would you improve about this program?
I don't have any feedback for their improvement cause I know that they all doing their jobs efficiently and effectively.
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