Program Reviews

I highly recommend LanguageCorps Asia to anyone who is interested in entering the TEFL field in Southeast Asia or China and here's why:

1. Training Location: The training is in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and PP is a lively, fun, and cheap city. The expat community is huge there, and the city is also very western. This makes it the perfect introductory city for people who are either visiting Southeast Asia for the first time, or have never been outside of their native country. In PP, most people speak a little bit of English, there are always experienced expats available for advice, and you don't have to live without your western luxuries like Nutella, deodorant, and Mountain Dew. It's an extremely convenient city, and made my transition to China very easy.
Cons: The city is very dirty, polluted, and smelly. But it's SEA. What can you expect?

2. Instructors: Phnom Penh has amazing instructors for TEFL. Tucker, Nick, and Rick were some of the most fun instructors I've ever had all while being extremely knowledgable and helpful. It's nice too because each one of the instructors is at a different stage in their life, which is useful depending on what problem you need solved. They were absolutely invaluable resources on virtually everything to do with teaching and living in SEA.
Cons: My program specifically is in China. Unfortunately the program didn't have an instructor who specialised in China. While this would have been nice, it wasn't detrimental to my arrival in China.

3. Course: The course was very comprehensive. Since being thrown into the ring, my training has shown over and over again to be extremely valuable and fairly complete. The teaching methods we learn in the course definitely work, which is really important if you head to China where you'll end up facing 300 primary students on your first or second day. Cons: It's extremely intensive which makes it hard to fully enjoy PP while going to class for several hours a day. It's basically several min-mesters shoved into one month. It's worth it, but be prepared to actually work your butt off. Don't let this deter you though-- people still had a blast while working really hard. As long as you have good time management skills, you'll be able to have your beer and drink it too.

This program is actually run through Via Lingua TEFL, not Language Corps directly. The course itself is ok, very time consuming and it doesn't leave you a lot of free time to explore the city. The troubling aspect is the job support program which is nearly non-exsistant. Many people from my program struggled in finding employment after the course-- and this is after repeated assurances on their website about the job market being good and almost 90% of their graduates being employed shortly after graduating the course.

I was extremely disappointed with the staff and the program in Cambodia. From other friends who went on to thailand they said it was completely different than Cambodia because it was well organized and the staff was much more helpful.

The biggest disappointment was the fact that the staff of Languagecorps all promoted the use of drugs and where to find them and prostutution. I understand that some people decide to take part in these activities and they have the freedom to do so, but when it is being discussed during class time or when you are preparing people that are about to be around young children with that information that is where I draw the line.

Highly disappointed with the staff and program of Languagecorps Asia.

After seeing the care and attention of the instructors toward their students, I was convinced this was one of the best decisions I ever made. The course was very intensive and full of hard, challenging work. But the practical experience and job guidance we received on a daily basis was worth every penny! I started teaching real students almost immediately and gained some very valuable connects at every turn.

I was very pleased with the LC Asia program. Upon arrival I was expecting a course that would briefly cover what it would take to be a teacher in Southeast Asia. However, this only scratched the surface of what was provided. Everything from lesson planning to how a child's brain develops and why that affects your teaching method was covered in great detail. The instructors were also very beneficial as they were able to inform of us of what to expect in our classrooms. My favorite part of the course was the amount of practice we got with each of the different teaching techniques.

Until you actually get into a classroom it is hard to tell what you will encounter, but I do not think I could have been any more prepared than I was.

Teaching English in Shanghai is awesome. I didn't think I would enjoy a mega-city like this, but every day is so fascinating - the culture, the food, the language, the sights of old and new China, always something new to explore. The teaching organization has around 45 schools all over the city, and they frequently organize city-wide gatherings in the forms of christmas parties, awards assemblies, and recently an all-expense paid trip to Nanjing. It's very easy to make friends through these gatherings, both Chinese and foreigners. The head office is incredibly organized and helpful, great with the visa help, and you will always feel that you have them to turn to with any questions. My job is nights and weekends, only 20hrs a week, which leaves a lot of free time to explore, or take up Chinese lessons (which I've recently signed up for - although you can get around just fine without knowing any). Fridays are depressing because you get home at 10pm and have to be back at work the next day at 830am. But it's just like that once per week, which isn't the worst. Mondays and Tuesdays are off, which is good for sightseeing because it avoids the crowds.

Before heading up to Shanghai, I completed the 144hr teaching course in Cambodia. The entire month was a highlight. The course is very well run; it is certainly intensive with long days of classes, homework, presentations, lesson planning, and a teaching practicum - but it almost over-prepares you, so when you get to the job it is a breeze. The Cambodia staff are all very helpful with the course - as well as entertaining. Several nights a week they host gatherings (karaoke, booze cruises, etc), and they take you on incredible weekend excursions that alone make it worth the course cost. It is certainly an added bonus to doing the teaching, getting to explore SE Asia, and I have to recommend it as very high-value. The only downside is that you make such great friends during the course, and then everyone goes off to their assignments and it's bittersweet.

I had an incredible experience with Language Corps and Via Lingua Florence! The staff was SO accommodating and helpful in the transition of moving to a foreign country, and with school work during the course. The course was very difficult, but manageable for one month. I learned a lot about my own language, the Italian language and culture, etc. I got a job from a recommendation of a staff member. I work with children at a private English studio, and LOVE it!! I work about 15-20 hours a week, and make more than enough to pay rent and buy food every month. I was very happy with my experience with Via Lingua, and I would highly recommend the program.

I participated in LanguageCorps in July 2013. The program is an amazing experience, worth more than every penny I paid! This course is very rigorous but the staff always make sure to plan fun social activities for the students. I was so busy the entire 4 weeks in Cambodia, but it was a labor of love. We went on amazing weekend trips to Siem Reap and Sihanoukville, and I taught at a local international kindergarten and an orphanage as part of my student teaching. They also provide you with a 2 week crash course in the language of the country you chose, which has proven to be incredibly valuable!

I recommend this program to anyone looking to have the trip of a lifetime and get something valuable out of it. However, I do have some warnings (Cambodia is not for the faint of heart!). Most of them are in regards to the hotel we lived in.

-The Marady (the hotel) is on the outskirts of Phnom Penh, which we learned to love by the end but be warned that its a pricey tuk tuk ride if you want to go anywhere fun. The river that runs next to the Marady is lovingly referred to as "sh*t creek". The smell will permeate your windows if you are on that side of the building (we got used to it though)

-The tuk tuk drivers will always try to rip you off, even though they sort of work for the hotel

-The Marady food is quite possibly some of the worst in Cambodia, and you'll end up eating so much of it because of the hotels location (far out there). Also, DO NOT get the free hotel massage. Just don't do it.

-The pool is always murky and the "gym" consists of 2
or 3 very antiquated machines on a moldy rug in the middle of the pool bar.

-The guy who runs the program (and owns the Marady) is a cynical man who comes across as very cheap. Luckily you won't have to deal with him too much, and the rest of the staff is super friendly, knowledgable and awesome.

---------

I'm so glad I got to have this experience! It's so cool to experience a country like Cambodia first hand with some amazing guidance. I don't think there is another TESOL program quite like it out there.

Yes, it is possible to go with this program and then find a teaching job even if you are not a native speaker of English.

Is it easy?

No, it is not.

Is the program helpful when you are trying to do it?

Yes, up to certain point.

It has been a whole year since I first took the program and moved from Spain to Camboya and then Thailand, aiming to teach and to enjoy a truly special experience.

The initial contact from Spain with Language Corps was satisfactory, they assessed my English and advised on the possible options. Red tape and the rest worked smoothly.

The arrival to Camboya was shocking, coming from Europe and being everything in South East Asia so different as traveling to Mars might be as well. Still, it was a good start, great memories.

If you like a healthy cultural shock and to collect very nice stories to tell your friends in the future, plus making a solid contribution matters to you, then this part of the world is for you. If you expect the rest of the world to be some sort of American town only with different people and exotic fruits, then you may want to think twice before you come here.

People here can be really nice and surprising, but they don't see things the same way you do. And that include students and Thai teachers wherever you end up working.

Sorry, digressing...

Although the location of the HQ of Language Corps in Phnom Penh can certainly be improved, I wouldn't qualify that as big deal, being the most important part (teachers and staff) rather satisfactory.

Needless to say, the visits to Angkor Wat and the beach were awesome and a must for anyone in the country. Very well done.

After 2 weeks everybody moved to their country of choice, in my case, Thailand, to the city of Pattaya for the second part of the training.

Pattaya is not exactly a centre of study and concentration, but neither is the rest of Thailand, anyway.

Accomodation there was perfect and the staff helpful, although the training focused a lot on the job that is supposed to be done in private schools and not in the government schools where many teachers have to go...and where life and expectations are wildly different. This is in my opinion the biggest but of the course, although nothing that can not be amended just as easily.

As far as finding a job is concerned, LC in Thailand provides some help, but not a lot. I was diverted to a local agency who was the one who actually landed me a job, and a second one later on, both of them in Bangkok.

When I tried to get some help from LC between the first job and the second their response was rather evasive. However, the life of the non native is always hard and that is not LC fault, so I'm not gonna blame them. You have to understand, there is only so much they can do with the job market.

Truth be told, after a year teaching here I believe the course helped in a practical way (some teaching techniques). From the resume point of view, it provided a kick start in the country and the staff in short, was supportive without promising the moon, which I am thankful for.

Still, a more realistic approach to education in Thailand and its job market could help to boost the chances of everybody, including NES.

Overall, I would recommend the LC program in Thailand to my mates without hesitation, but I would polish some aspects of it and advice to whoever may be thinking in this adventure to be very sure about their teaching goals and understand that teaching in Siam is not like teaching in your own country. It takes patiente, determination and an open mind.

If you are a professional educator as myself, though, you will also enjoy the experience and grow as a teacher immensely.

About Thailand...I am not going to explain that. You have to experience it. Some love it, some hate it, just don't expect any winters neither a highly structured context. As they say, go with the flow...

Finally, is the course expensive?

As everything, it could sure be cheaper, but unlike so many other things, it does what it says in the tin.

Any questions...just ask!

Best of luck

Raúl

I graduated the course in the spring of this year. I happy with the academic side, but the director of LC Asia is irrational and moody and has little to no respect for students and staff. He regularly verbally abuses the staff in front of all the students at the Marady Hotel. The foreign staff were very helpful in general but the program director offered little to no assistance and never answered questions directly. He didn't appear to have any current knowledge about Cambodia and gave us misinformation about Thailand / Vietnam and the job scene.

I would advise against trusting anything the program director says and if you can't handle a very irritable director, then do not take the TESOL course at LanguageCorps Thailand, Cambodia, or Vietnam.