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

Program Reviews

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Gemma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

8 weeks with Gotoco in Thailand!

This experience is something that I will always treasure and recommend for anyone considering the prospect of teaching and would like to travel as well. Not only do you get placed on a well structured program that guides you to get a useful TESOL qualification but you have the opportunity to integrate within a new culture and meet so many amazing people experiencing a new country and community in a way that you wouldn't normally get a chance to. You get more life experience, personal development, incredible memories and connections and it's fully funded.

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Molly
5/5
No, I don't recommend this program

Teaching with Gotoco

My experience was honestly amazing, the people I met and how on hand everyone was at Minga House.. I felt so safe and comfortable. I got to see so many different places and was really submerged into the culture. You are able to learn a new language and culture and meet new people and explore a different part of the world whilst staying within the safety net of minga house. It has enabled me to feel more comfortable with locals and a completely different language and culture. I have gained a snippet into the travelling lifestyle and love it! I have also made new friends

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Phoenix
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

10/10 Would Recommend

I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Thailand, but one of the greatest aspects was getting to know the food and people of Nakhon Sawan in depth during my time there. I felt very comfortable in the community and in my school, and it was amazing to explore every part of the town. I also enjoyed travelling in my time off, which made me feel like I had made the most of the programme.

I always recommend Gotoco to my friends and colleagues. I think it is an amazing deal that is hard to resist - teaching experience, new friends, and greater cultural awareness all at a small price. This explains why I am always keen to go on new programmes when I get the chance!

Pros
  • - Cultural immersion
  • - Meeting like-minded people
  • - Gaining great teaching experience
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Christiana Adu
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco: Spain Interway

Participating in the Gotoco teaching English volunteering experience has been immensely beneficial, leaving an indelible mark on my personal and professional growth. This opportunity allowed me to immerse myself in a new culture, refine my teaching skills, and gain invaluable insights into the dynamics of cross-cultural communication.
Firstly, the experience broadened my horizons by exposing me to the rich tapestry of Spanish culture. Engaging with local communities, sharing stories, and embracing their way of life enriched my understanding of the world's diversity. This cultural immersion not only deepened my empathy but also expanded my worldview.
Secondly, the teaching aspect of the experience honed my communication and leadership skills. Guiding students through language learning taught me to adapt my approach to suit different learning styles, enhancing my ability to convey ideas effectively. The experience prompted personal growth, fostering patience, adaptability, and the capacity to inspire learning in others.
Lastly, the experience instilled a sense of global citizenship, reinforcing the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and mutual understanding. The friendships formed, both with fellow volunteers and locals, underline the power of shared experiences in fostering lasting connections.
The Gotoco teaching English volunteering experience has been a transformative journey, enhancing my cultural awareness, teaching aptitude, and interpersonal skills. This opportunity has not only equipped me with practical skills but also enriched my outlook on life, making me a more adaptable, empathetic, and globally conscious individual.
My experience with the programme has been a transformative journey, enhancing my cultural awareness, teaching aptitude, and interpersonal skills. This opportunity has not only equipped me with practical skills but also enriched my outlook on life, making me a more adaptable, empathetic, and globally conscious individua

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Explore different cultures
  • Good Food
Cons
  • Culture shock when you return to your home country
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Muhammad Hamza Waqas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life-changing experience abroad!

My experience with Gotoco has been nothing short of life-changing. I feel like I have left a big part of me in Thailand while also taken so many parts of Thailand with me.

Through this programme, I was able to fulfil my dreams of teaching and traveling abroad. My idea of traveling is incomplete without immersing myself in the culture properly, and being integrated into the society as a teacher gave me ample opportunities to understand the culture and make lifelong local friends (half of my screen time is spent on 'line' now!).
I also feel that by participating in the programme, I have been able to develop myself in multiple ways. I have become more organised, honed my leadership skills, boosted my confidence through managing big classrooms, and am on course to procure a very valuable TEFL certificate, which will enable me to fulfil more of my teaching+traveling dreams!

In short, if you want to immerse yourself in a different culture while also working towards a TEFL qualification, I cannot recommend this programme enough! The Gotoco staff spends countless hours in making the programme accessible to everyone. The staff makes you feel like a valued member of the ecosystem and are always there to help you with everything, whether imparting valuable advice about lesson plans, facilitating your transition to the target country's life, or recommending the best, local cat cafes!

I am so glad I applied and am so excited to witness the amazing progress my students will make in the future!

Pros
  • Funded opportunities to Travel
  • Making friends from different cultures
  • Honing your teaching skills
Cons
  • Reverse culture-shock when you go back to your country
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Jasmine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Invaluable experience abroad

To put it simply, the opportunity that Gotoco has given me has changed my life.
I will never forget my time spent in Spain. I was able to immerse myself fully in Spanish culture and interact with the Spanish locals in the town where I was located as well as my Spanish students. I am beyond grateful to all the kind and supportive people that I have met throughout the programme.
Through teaching abroad I feel that I have managed to personally develop in ways I never thought possible and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity Gotoco has given me to push myself outside of my comfort zone.
If you are considering working abroad and gaining a TEFL qualification, I wholeheartedly recommend going through Gotoco. Their commitment to offering life-changing opportunities is evident, and I can personally attest to the quality of their programs.

Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Opportunity to travel
  • Funding available
Cons
  • Can feel like you are away for a long time
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Kiri
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing opportunity to teach abroad

I would highly recommend this program to anybody looking to combine teaching with travelling. Gotoco provided me an excellent opportunity to explore Thailand with this funded experience and allowed me to increase my teaching experience which will greatly benefit me going forward in my professional life. I was able to fully immerse myself into Thai culture and learn the language as well as gaining a deeper appreciation for local customs. This experience has left me feeling confident for future travel and teaching experiences and I have made friends for life.

Pros
  • Made friends with likeminded people
  • Building confidence and independence
Cons
  • Some hidden costs which will need to be self funded
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ABD-ELHAKIM
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

3 months teaching in Thailand

This has been an incredibly eye-opening and heartwarming experience for me. I've learned so much from it, from dealing with language barriers to embracing different cultures and beliefs. My time as a teacher has shown me that being a teacher is a lifelong commitment, a lesson I discovered while teaching both in primary and high schools.

What made this experience even more special was the opportunity to teach in various cities throughout Thailand. Each place had its own unique charm and distinct culture, making every moment of my journey incredibly rich and meaningful.

Pros
  • Funded TESOL qualification
  • Meet amazing people
  • Cultural exchange
Cons
  • Some rural areas do not have a huge amount of food options for people with halal/vegetarian/vegan dietary requirements.
  • Stray dogs
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Thomas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Brilliant Funded Experience

My experience on the programme has been fantastic. I've learnt so much and grown so much in confidence, and I feel much more able to handle myself abroad. It has been the highlight of my year for sure. The highlight of my experience was getting to know all the people I met through the Gotoco programme, both locals and other Gotoco volunteers. Speaking to locals I could improve my language skills and learn more about the local culture. The other Gotoco volunteers were also great to get to know - they were all interesting people and equally up for adventure!

Pros
  • Organised post-programme trip
  • Assistance with booking flights and visas
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Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Poland summer camps - An incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in another culture

I had an amazing time completing the summer TEFL programme with GOTOCO in Poland. Volunteering at the camps was really enjoyable and fulfilling, if intense sometimes, and it was great to see the impact we were having through watching the children’s confidence in speaking English increase over the course of the camp. Being situated in the polish countryside was really cool and it felt like we got to really experience a lot of different aspects of Poland on our trip. It was also a great experience of travelling abroad alone for the first time and a great way to meet lots of amazing people.
The funded cultural tour at the end of our programme was a really fun experience and we got to explore Polish cities, history, culture and food.

Pros
  • Fully funded travel
  • Funded TESOL qualification
  • Really fun volunteering
Cons
  • It would be good to have a bit more communication before the programme started