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

Program Reviews

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Ayo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience!

It was a really good experience. I made new friends and travelled to a country I would have never had the confidence to travel to alone. I loved the teaching and exploring aspect of it! It was also nice to have the opportunity to explore on weekends and over the bank holidays. The TEFL course is also good to help you think in a different way (although it doesn’t always directly linked to the children you teach). I think it is still handy to have for further teaching jobs. Would definitely recommend!

What was your funniest moment?
Teaching the children
Pros
  • There was free time to explore during weekends
  • The teaching aspect
  • Cultural immersion
Cons
  • Only do it if you’re open minded :)
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Natasha
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

I did a programme with ECC in August and it was a great way to spend my summer! Gotoco made teaching and travelling really accessible. I especially loved staying with host families - both of which I'd go back and visit. In the second camp I was really close to the children in my family which was lovely. It was also really nice having a big group of other tutors to support you. I saw so many places in Austria that I definitely never would have seen had I not done the programme. Would definitely recommend it as an exciting way to spend your summer!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to every new experience! You'll see and do so many cool things
Pros
  • Great way to experience teaching
  • Amazing staying with host families, who I'll definitely stay in contact with
Cons
  • Quite exhausting!
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Ethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience with Gotoco in Vietnam

I was fortunate enough to have a fully funded TEFL teaching internship in northern Vietnam with Gotoco. Overall I had a very positive experience and was generally well supported by the Gotoco team and local hosts. I had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of cultural and educational experiences, including travelling across the country and making local friends, with whom I'm still in contact. If you're interested, you should be aware that the programme is best for people who are willing to get stuck in to life in a very different place than where you would usually visit, and that (in my experience) the quality of the experience depends on how willing you are to immerse yourself and take risks.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Working with very young people who speak absoultely no English was at first a very daunting prospect, although this quickly became the highlight of my stay. The relationships I built, even with the 5/6 year old children were special to me and made leaving difficult.
Pros
  • Experienced life way off the beaten track
  • Developed applicable skills
  • Fully funded
Cons
  • May not always be fully funded
  • Not reccomended if you don't want to be challenged
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Danyal
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Rural Program - Thailand

My trip to Thailand as a participant in the teaching program was highly beneficial and well-structured. It expertly combines cultural immersion and practical learning, providing a comprehensive understanding of local customs and daily life while promising a smooth journey.

Throughout the week, I was fortunate to teach at a local school, which was an extremely rewarding experience. The pupils, full of enthusiasm and curiosity, gave an infectious energy to the classroom. Their enthusiasm to learn made teaching both entertaining and meaningful. The school's staff were extremely accommodating in easing my transfer into the local schooling system. I found that teaching in Thailand was as much about imparting knowledge as it was about learning from my students' diverse cultural backgrounds. The difficulties I faced only aided my development and made the experience even more rewarding.

Overall, the program presented invaluable insights and exposure that I would not be able to obtain elsewhere. I strongly suggest it to anyone looking for a unique combination of teaching and travel—the opportunities that came by were truly life-changing, especially since I was on a rural program, I got to experience how people live with so little yet so much!!

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Saimanta
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Recommend for sure!

I am really pleased with the Gotoco that I joined for my 2 months placement in Vietnam.
We had week orientation to adapt to the environment before placement, and week end of the programme. Programme went so fast. Coordinators were very supportive and very organised. Process was very quick, any funding were processed quickly as well. I was not felt I was alone left out with the host, I felt a family vibe and everyone is so friendly doing extra mile. Assignments were a bit thought when you want to just travel and chill.

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Cara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Catalyst for Change, Vietnam 2024

I had an incredible time teaching English with Gotoco in Vietnam this summer! I was based in Hanoi, Vietnam and spent 8 weeks teaching English to children aged between 4-11 years old.

With Gotoco, I was able to gain a TEFL qualification and classroom experience as well as live abroad and learn more about Vietnam's rich history and culture. I also was able to travel around Vietnam in my free time and after the end of the programme, from Sapa to Saigon. It is a great way of travelling while also boosting your CV. I highly recommend joining Gotoco!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make the most of it - take every opportunity, try new foods, experience new things and enjoy!
Pros
  • Super friendly and supportive programme coordinators
  • Good work / life balance
  • Fully funded and free!
Cons
  • Might not be fully funded in the future
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Lucy
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Temple Schools, Bangkok

The Temple Schools programme was fantastic. I loved being immersed in a non-tourist area of Bangkok. My school went above and beyond to ensure I felt happy and safe. I was fortunate to be placed in an amazing school that looked after me and showed me the real Bangkok. The accommodation was great and the food provided by my school was delicious. I felt that the actual teaching course did not support my teaching so I would recommend having a little experience before going on the trip. I enjoyed travelling at the weekends and learning how to navigate Thai transport. I travelled in land and out to islands. It was straightforward and the school I was based at gave me lots of recommendations.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to everything!
Pros
  • Accommodation was excellent
  • Weekends free to travel
  • Supportive schools
Cons
  • Communication between Gotoco, schools and myself was not always clear
  • Teaching course did not support the teaching
  • There was not much support from Gotoco with the teaching or the TEFL course
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Iqrah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thailand 2 month programme

The best experience ever thanks to Gotoco !
Company were great at organising the programme and trips during the programme aswell.
The school was true to what had been described by the company and was very rural but you were provided with all the basics required such as a place to sleep, eat and a couple of shops in the village.
Communication between coordinators and participants was good and easy to reach if we ever needed them.
Teaching in classrooms was basic as the children's level of English was quite basic.

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Aasia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Primary school teacher

This experience was lovely and one of a kind. It gave me a whole new perspective on teaching and different cultures. We were able to get right into teaching lessons and assemblies and events which allowed learn so much especially for a short course like this one. The children’s desire to learn and understand how to adapt lessons for wide range of levels, helped me develop my skills as a teacher and made this heartwarming experience.
There were chances to explore the area, try new food and living with the host made this much easier.

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Martha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great way to spend the summer!

I was able to work with Kids Camp America as a volunteer teacher, outside of my home country, for very little cost and with little experience. It was a really rewarding experience to work with kids and see my effort help them learn English. Now it looks great on my CV. I was lucky enough to get to stay in one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Germany, surrounded by a stunning lake and forested mountains. I worked with people I hadn't met before but who became some great friends. The whole experience was supported by Gotoco, they always kept me in the loop and were in communication to make sure we were always safe and making the most of the experience.