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

Program Reviews

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Konrad
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with Gotoco

I have just finished a 7-week program with Gotoco in Thailand. This fully-funded cultural exchange and teaching placement is definitely worth it. The program started with an orientation week in the coastal city of Hua Hin, where accommodation and a stipend for food were provided, as well as a range of fun cultural activities such as Muay Thai, language lessons and a Thai cooking class. After this, I was able to teach English in an international language centre in Bangkok for 5 weeks before returning to Hua Hin to provide an English lesson for Buddhist Monks as well as an afternoon of learning-based games with local Thai schoolchildren. I think Gotoco is a great program for young people looking to travel, gain career opportunities and get experience teaching abroad. It also helps you to meet lots of new people and do things outside of your comfort zone.

Pros
  • Cultural exchange
  • Teaching experience
  • Travelling
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Fergus
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand Short Program

They support you before and during your placement to set you up for moving abroad, as well as making sure you don't feel lost when you're there. I think the induction week they provide before you meet your new school is a good primer to being in a new country, and I particularly enjoyed the language lessons they provide to help you with basic communication.
I found the weekly stipen more than enough to cover my expenses and I was able to use my weekends off to explore other areas of the country.
Without GoToCo I would not have found out about these opportunities to live and teach abroad.

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Shania
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Would 100% recommend!

I completed my TESOL and work placement for 3 months in Thailand and gained real life teaching experience. It was a really life changing experience, to see a different part of the world and different cultures. It allowed me to improve my confidence as teaching can be very scary and nerve-wracking at first. But with training and practise I was able to become a lot more confident. I think whichever job role or career I move in to next, this experience has greatly benefited me and my professional skills.

I was also able to travel around parts of Thailand on long weekends / public holidays. I had the best time.

Pros
  • TEFL Certification
  • Travel & work abroad
  • Met amazing people!
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Glenn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

6 weeks teaching Chiang Mai, Thailand

I loved having the opportunity to fully immerse myself within Thailand and have the chance to mix with the locals. I think it made the experience of traveling significantly more worthwhile. I would recommend this opportunity to anyone. This programme has allowed me to make new friends and grow as a person in terms of confidence and social skills. Now I feel like I am more relaxed in these situations. This programme has allowed me to make new friends and grow as a person in terms of confidence and social skills. Now I feel like I am more relaxed in these situations.

Pros
  • Fully funded
  • Choices of location
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Zakaria
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Gotoco experience in Thailand

I think Gotoco's programs are a great opportunity to learn more about yourself, and learn some new skills all when travelling in a different country and experiencing its culture and traditions. The programme was handled professionally and help was provided when asked for. I have many good memories from the experiences they offered us but in particular I loved taking part in a Thai cooking class, learning Thai language and visiting the Wildlife Animal Foundation. This programme helped me both personally and professionally, allowing me to gain more confidence when speaking, to improve my organisational and time management skills.

Pros
  • Fully funded
  • Quick processes
  • Many funded experiences and activities
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Maisy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco Colombia

This program was a great opportunity to get out in the world, learn about new cultures and learn how to teach! It helped me boost my confidence in ways I couldn’t imagine not only in myself but in my teaching!
Although it seems too good to be true at first and had me questioning whether it was real or not I am so glad it was! I have had some of the best months of my life and met friends for life among the way and fallen in love with a country I knew nothing about all for free!
I couldnt recommend it enough

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Molly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cannot recommend enough

I have thoroughly enjoyed this summer teaching programme in Thailand and I couldn't recommend it enough to anyone; it's such a great experience. I was placed in a beautiful district of the gorgeous city of Kanchanaburi. It was somewhere in all honesty, that I hadn’t heard much about and I was so grateful to have explored. I have thought that everything has been organised and run very well and I can only imagine how difficult it is to organise so many people and keep everyone happy. I am super grateful to have been given the opportunity to participate in the programme, especially as it is fully funded, makes it even more amazing.

Pros
  • Cultural Immersion
  • Meeting new people
  • Travelling in your free time
Cons
  • Struggled to sometimes see the relevance of the topic in what I was teaching my students
  • Sometimes struggled with food options
  • Speaking Thai is so challenging
Read my full story
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Jamiel
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Once in a lifetime opportunity

I recently had the incredible opportunity to embark on a life-changing journey with GoToCo to Thailand, where I had the privilege of teaching English to Thai children. This adventure exceeded all my expectations, and I can't recommend it enough to anyone seeking a meaningful and transformative travel experience.

From the moment I arrived in Thailand, I felt incredibly supported by the GoToCo team. They ensured a smooth transition into the program, from airport pickup to orientation, making me feel comfortable and confident in my new surroundings. Their dedication to participant safety and well-being was evident throughout my entire trip.

Teaching English to Thai children was an absolute joy. The students' enthusiasm and eagerness to learn were infectious, and it was heartwarming to witness their progress and growth over the weeks. GoToCo provided excellent teaching materials and resources, making lesson planning a breeze. The local teachers and coordinators were also invaluable in helping us navigate the cultural nuances of the Thai education system and providing insights into effective teaching methods.

One of the standout aspects of this program was the immersion in Thai culture. GoToCo organized cultural excursions, allowing us to explore the beauty of Thailand, from the bustling streets of Bangkok to serene temples in Chiang Mai and the stunning beaches in Phuket. These experiences allowed me to gain a deeper appreciation for Thai culture, history, and traditions.

The friendships I formed with fellow volunteers from around the world are truly priceless. Working and living together created a unique bond, and I have made friends for life. We shared unforgettable adventures, cultural exchanges, and countless laughs that made my time in Thailand even more special.

In addition to the personal growth and cultural immersion, I also appreciated GoToCo's commitment to sustainable and responsible travel. Their eco-friendly initiatives and support for local communities underscored their dedication to making a positive impact on both the environment and the people of Thailand.

In conclusion, my experience with GoToCo in Thailand was nothing short of transformative. It opened my eyes to the beauty of Thailand, the warmth of its people, and the importance of cultural exchange. I returned home with a heart full of gratitude and a renewed passion for teaching and travel. If you're looking for a meaningful adventure that allows you to make a difference in the lives of Thai children while exploring this stunning country, I wholeheartedly recommend GoToCo. Don't miss out on this life-changing opportunity – it's an experience you'll cherish forever!

Pros
  • Good support
  • Allowed independent exploration
  • Amazing experience
Cons
  • Communication whilst on placement can be a bit slow at times.
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Jakub
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Adventure!

Gotoco has been the most amazing adventure I've had so far in my life. I met some truly incredible people from all over and I even fell in love with one of them :p. I couldn't recommend Gotoco enough!
The teaching was incredibly rewarding and I really formed a bond with these students. I know some of them will go on to do great things :). I feel that because I grew up in the UK I could teach them things about English culture and language that a non native speaker (no matter how fluent) could not. This is the advantage Gotoco provides to local schools.

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

Outstanding experience

Most organisations require you to pay to be a volunteer teacher, which doesn't really make sense. Gotoco is fully funded. They provide training, cultural activities, a 4-6 week placement and a post placement trip. It's actually unbelievable how good a deal you get.

I was placed in a school in rural Thailand where English proficiency was really low. This meant I was able to make a real impact on the students and to give them motivation to study English, since they don't see any English speaking tourists in that part of the country. It also meant i got to see the real Thailand beyond the beaten tourist track. Gotoco made sure that the accomodation and food at the partner school were to standard and provided a constant support network so I had nothing to worry about. Our hosts were lovely too, showing us around and making us feel comfortable.

I cannot recommend this enough. There's something in it for everyone - teaching experience, a safe route into travelling south east Asia, cultural exchange and more.

Pros
  • Independence
  • Support network
  • Cultural immersion