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

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

Leah
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand teaching placement GoToCo

I did around 2 months on a GoToCo program teaching English in Thailand. We spent about 1 week altogether doing local activities and workshops based on the course. I really enjoyed the first week and getting to know everyone on the program and the program staff. At the end of the week we got our first stipend and told where we will be going to teach and what groups we would be in. I believe there could have been a little more of a personal effort from the staff so that there was more consideration as to who would be placed with who when we were sent off to our placements. Whilst on placement I didn’t enjoy the accomodation, so I paid for my own accommodation. There were some good suggestions on where to pick from the XploreAsia team.

I really enjoyed getting to know the local area and teaching my students. I was teaching in Chiang mai Thailand at a language school.

All in all I very much enjoyed my experience. I just think I would’ve felt more supported by my placement staff if the communication before during and after my placement was a little better and personable.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I advise completing as much of the TEFL training as soon as possible. Also skipping ahead to see exactly what is included in the assessments in order to streamline your work and learning.
Pros
  • Good opportunity to meet new people and travellers
  • Great funding assistance on the program
  • Good Thai teaching workshops included.
What other participants should know
  • Lack of communication at times
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco is great

I am so grateful for the wonderful opportunity that Gotoco provided to teach in rural Thailand. I have received so much support for personal and professional development. The course is especially useful for obtaining the TESOL qualification. The course is well-organised and structured. I got to do so many wonderful things like take part in Buddhist festivals, watch school performances, try delicious Thai food and interact with locals. I will never forget my time in Thailand. Thank you so much!!!

Josie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Vietnam

I spent two months volunteering with Gotoco, teaching in Vietnam, and it was an incredible experience. I got to stay with the loveliest host family, gain teaching experience, and travel the country on my days off. The orientation, placement and end-of-programme trip were all amazing.

However, the application process was very long, and communication during application was very slow and frustrating at times. Information on the website was not always clear.

Overall though, I had an amazing time on the programme.

An
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco Poland

I loved my teaching experience in Poland. Going to a new country felt a bit scary at first, but meeting so many incredible people, both international and local, has made my time very enjoyable and fun. Although the teaching weeks were intense as the schedule was really packed, it was rewarding to see how by the end of every week the Polish kids improved and were more confident with their English. A truly enjoyable and life-changing experience overall.

Regarding the TEFL course, the practical assignments were a bit too long and they took quite a while to reply to the emails if we had queries. But it was straightforward to follow.

A
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

best two months

it was great, really enjoyed my time there! The highlights were meeting new people, being placed in environments i wouldn't think of going to. getting to explore new places and trying new things. It was a big push outside my comfort zone. It has made me a more patient person, i've really gotten to know myself a lot better. How i work with other people, what i am like in different scenarios and has overall made me very confident. Another highlight was the orientation week and meeting new people. getting long weekends off to travel the rest of thailand. how friendly everyone is and helpful.

James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GotoCo Vietnam 3 month programme

This trip really opened my eyes in turns of travel. Even though I was always going to go to Australia this experience made me realise I can go anywhere the language barrier is not an issue. Learning about a whole new different culture was fascinating and living in a rural area where local people were so excited to have myself there are some of the memories I shall cherish forever. The team did an incredible job of running both a great orientation and end of programme trip, one being an amazing way to meet people and become settled in a completely new environment and one to celebrate with everyone together before moving on.
As someone who was already considering teaching as a career prospect the actual teaching was incredibly fun and useful for myself, and has only helped me further realised that is the path I am on. It has also opened up the idea of teaching abroad which is something I had not considered before I started this programme which is something I am very grateful for.
Overall, it was 3 of the best months of my life.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Having water buffalos live across the street from us.
Pros
  • Experience a whole new culture
  • Unique rural travel experience
  • Meet amazing people and incredible places
What other participants should know
  • Challenges of travelling can be daunting
  • The heat!
  • Language barrier can be scary
Rory
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent Summer Program

If you want to become more independent, appreciative of different cultures and want a head-start into teaching abroad, Gotoco's program is probably the best option I could suggest. It helped me develop in ways I couldn't see initially.

The program also offers the opportunity to meet a lot of interesting and lovely fellow travelling teachers, many of whom you may form long-term friendships with.

Overall, the organisation of the program, the people involved, and the country are all excellent and are worth checking out.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate some delicious water buffalo, and some fried frog!
Pros
  • Head start into teaching English as a foreign language
  • Opportunities to improve leadership skills
  • Authentic cultural immersion
Aadil
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I'm so glad I went!

My experience with GotoCo was surreal! One of the main reasons I trusted the programme before starting it were the reviews! They were all 5 star and now I can attest to that!

Going on a trip across the world (for the first time for some) can be a little worrying, there are so many factors involved, the language, the medias perception of the country etc.

Travelling with these guys was honestly a life changing experience, and that's coming from someone who has travelled to many countries around the world!

It opened up a new part of the world, the team were so helpful every step of the way. You feel supported and looked after throughout the trip with life long memories!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most of the experience and travel after the programme! The programme can be a little intense so it's nice to take a few days/weeks after to detox and explore the area and cities you may have not got to see!
Pros
  • Travelling with a support system
  • Learning to Teach Abroad
  • Making new friends and Connections
What other participants should know
  • Little stressful based on timing
  • Advice on what to pack
  • Tips on local language
Mia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GoToCo 2 Month Vietnam Programme

This is by far one of the best things I have done yet. I loved getting to explore a new country and get to meet lots of new people. I have been able to make some life-long friendships whilst also getting invaluable experience of working abroad as an English teacher. This was such a wholesome and rewarding experience getting to see the small impact you have on your students life and its amazing to see how you develop your teaching skills and become more confident and natural in the classroom. I would recommend this to anyone who has the opportunity to go!

What was your funniest moment?
One of the funniest moments I got to experience was watching the children learn how to tell jokes in English and then practicing them on us as we were walking around the school.
Pros
  • Builds your confidence
  • Pushes you outside of your comfort zone
  • Visit and stay in places outside of the main tourist trail
What other participants should know
  • Be patient they take a while to get back to you
Harry
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

2 month TEFL Programme in China

Gotoco gave me the opportunity to travel abroad and work in China as an English teacher for 8 weeks. They provided me with professional support but primarily gave me the chance to undergo an experience that would not have been accessible to me otherwise.

I was placed in a Summer camp in Beijing, where I was able to both experience life as a teacher, while also see as many of the historic sites in Beijing as I could. This was a fantastic experience which has potentially opened up a new career for me, and certainly given me memories I will treasure for life. This was followed up by a 5 day trip to Yangshuo where I was able to relax after an incredible summer.