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

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

Charis
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

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I completed the Gotoco Colombia programme earlier this year and it was quite possibly the best 6 weeks of my life! I loved living in a rural area of Colombia and really feeling immersed in the culture. Teaching was a great experience and gave me a lot of confidence and it’s a bonus that I now have a TESOL certificate I can use to teach anywhere in the world! I met some amazing people on this programme and made some fantastic memories. I would really recommend signing up now for an adventure of a lifetime!

Pros
  • Gain a TEFL certificate
  • Get to live and teach in a foreign country
  • Make friends for life
Natasha
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great programme

Great programme that really allowed me to experience various areas of Thailand and different aspects within the culture. The induction and final week trips were excellent and were very enjoyable. The teaching overall was a good experience and it is very valuable to have a great host who will show you places in Thailand that are generally not visited by other backpackers. I will do another programme soon in Vietnam as I really enjoyed this programme and believe it is worth doing. Initially I was not sure how the programme would be as I had not heard of many programme like this before but it is definitely worth doing if you get accepted.

Pros
  • Travel even for those on a limited budget
  • Experience life as a teacher
  • See parts of a country you usually would not see and the culture.
What other participants should know
  • Very slow response time when getting onto the programme
  • Tend to leave everything to the last minute to organise pre-departure.
N
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing Experience

This was undoubtedly one of the BEST experiences I’ve ever had and super grateful for it. Initially coming across GOTOCO and seeing what they offered, sounded to good to be true! However, I can say first hand it’s very real and they are amazing throughout the whole process. From the information provided right from the beginning through to the support, organisation and the programme itself. The GOTOCO team are easily accessible and available for support, deliver on exactly what they say about the programme, from the teaching experience to the fun excursions!! The teaching in a rural village itself was a lifetime experience, and being able to meet lovely people along the way and have an adventure of travel was a bonus! To anyone who’s thinking of doing it… apply.. you’ll only regret not doing so!! :)

Pros
  • GOTOCO easily accessible and supportive throughout the whole programme
  • GOTOCO endorse it to be as much fun and an adventure aswell as a real hands-on teaching experience
  • Being immersed and being able to experience real Thai culture and beautiful rural parts of Thailand
What other participants should know
  • The actual TEFL programme can be intense if it’s something completely new to you!
  • If you join last minute quite a bit of leg work/paperwork to do beforehand. All manageable though and GOTOCO support throughout
  • Can be difficult to get to places in your own time if you are based in a rural village. But where there’s a will there’s a way and adds to the adventure! :)
Michaela
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience with Gotoco Thailand 6 month programme

I had a great time during my Gotoco programme. It was an incredible experience with many great excursions which allowed me to learn about Thailand and the culture there.

The teaching experience itself was challenging, even having experience as an English teacher before, it was challenging. This was down to the school where I was placed; for example I didn't have a teaching assistant in my class, class sizes were large (40+ students) and had to design exams and the curriculum myself. This was not the experience of all people on the programme, but many that were teaching at high schools had a similar workload to myself. If you want to progress as a teacher then this is an excellent way to do so, but I'd recommend if you're new to teaching or worried about the workload, it would be best to let them know you'd prefer to be placed in a primary school, as they do ask about your preferences.

Overall, I had the time of my life and would recommend this to anyone thinking about moving to Asia, teaching English or wanting an step in to travelling abroad, as it is a great way to see if it is for you whilst having a support network around you! Nonetheless, it is challenging and you will have ups and downs, so being in a good headspace and an expectation to work hard is needed, otherwise it may be too much for you.

Pros
  • Fully funded!
  • Many great excursions, activities and trips organised before and during the programme
  • You have a support network around you
What other participants should know
  • Heavy workload between teaching & TESOL qualification
James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Vietnam with GOTOCO

It was really good fun and the team on the ground in Vietnam were amazing and always available to help and give advice when and where needed. Would definitely rate them all very highly individually. It's a great experience and a fun way to introduce yourself to another culture and community whilst adding to it and developing your own personal skills. I had the opportunity to give a lecture with the rest of my team on the environment and pollution to an entire school of 1500 pupils followed by a short karaoke performance. That wont be something I forget in a hurry. Definitely worth giving a go!

Jessica
3/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good Experience

Had an good time overall in Bali with Gotoco. I was placed in a state school in Lotunduh and was in the school Monday to Friday for 2 hours which allowed time to travel round and see Bali on the weekends. Meaning I was able to explore Bali and the surrounding islands. Gotoco is funded for flights, accommodation and meals providing opportunities for cultural exchange and opportunities to explore Bali that I wouldn't have got otherwise. Various cultural activities were provided for us such as a cooking class, water purification ceremony and wood carving class.

Pros
  • Gaining teaching English experience
  • Exploring a new country and the culture
  • Gaining the TESOL qualification
What other participants should know
  • Organization of the programme often being told stuff last minute
  • Lack of support
  • Cleanliness of accommodation
Hannah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible experience!

I loved my 2 months teaching in Thai Binh, Vietnam, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to take part in the fully funded program. I would really recommend this program to anyone who is interested in teaching abroad or travel. This program was a unique opportunity to explore a new part of the world while gaining teaching experience. The highlights of my experience were experiencing a new culture in Vietnam, getting to know all the students and teachers in the school, making great friends and travelling across Vietnam.

Natasha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Program

I had the most incredible, enriching experience of my life volunteering teaching children English in Vietnam. I couldn't recommend the program more! The activities that the organisers had for us were incredible as well as the fun times I had teaching the kids. The people I met on the program as well were incredible and really enhanced my experience. Even if teaching is not your thing, I would still recommend the program as it is just an enriching life experience that I think everyone should do .

Abhinav
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Gotoco Vietnam Short Programme

I had the privilege of teaching English in Ninh Binh city, Vietnam, and the experience was nothing short of transformative. From the vibrant streets of Ninh Binh city to the warm smiles of my students, every moment was a unique adventure.

The cultural immersion was a highlight. Living and working in Vietnam allowed me to understand the nuances of daily life, and my students generously shared their traditions and perspectives. This cultural exchange enhanced the classroom experience and enriched our interactions.
The enthusiasm of my students was contagious. Despite the language barrier, their eagerness to learn and engage in the lessons made every day rewarding.

Pros
  • Tesol Certification
  • Sense of community
  • Personal and Professional growth
Georgina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand 2023 trip

I had an amazing summer teaching in Thailand with Gotoco. The trip was really well organised and I was given a lot of information prior to departure. The team assisted me with any questions I had and it was very easy to apply and register with the organisation. The trip is so well funded and this really is an opportunity of a lifetime! When arriving in Thailand I felt very safe and well looked after by the Gotoco team. I got to experience Thai culture and travel around and see a lot in such a short time! Working in a Thai school was a heartwarming experience and I met some truly wonderful people. I was glad to take part in this experience with like minded people and would definitely recommend trying something like this to experience a new culture but also to gain work experience. Teaching is a job that requires lots of different skills and this type of experience is a great way to build a broad skillset and push yourself out of your comfort zone to build confidence. The TESOL course is a great thing to add to your CV and was easy to fit in around travelling and working with Gotoco. Apply now!

Pros
  • Well funded
  • Cultural experience
  • Meeting like minded people