The Fewer Things

The Fewer Things Reviews

Eleanor
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

From homebody to full explorer!

If you're anything like me, you might think that moving country is a thing that other people do. As appealing as it sounds, it couldn't possibly be me, right? This doesn't have to be the case! On a whim, I applied through TFT, in hopes of experiencing a whole new way of life in China. Needless to say, TFT made the process happen. Was it all sunshine and rainbows? Not necessarily. But was it absolutely achievable? YES!
So here I am in China, with no plans to move back to the UK. Take that risk!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Bring more money than I thought I should! Thankfully, my agency helped me with money and I received a small pay check in August from a week of work. Regardless, you could find yourself in a stressful situation if you don't think you will have enough until you get payed...
Pros
  • Reassurance on tap-never fear alone!
  • Put in contact with other people in my program already in China
  • Step-by-step guidance before arrival.
What other participants should know
  • It will take time to settle into a new country. Don't give up!
  • Don't expect everyone to know English. It might be less than you think.
  • You will get to travel l, but don't forget you're also a teacher and will have these responsibilities.
Rory
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent first steps into teaching, an amazing postgrad gap year

TFT has been amazing with their support of finding credible jobs and helping to navigate a system that can be really intimidating for first timers in China.
I got placed with CIPTC in Shenzhen and although I hadn't considered Shenzhen to start with, I'm really glad I ended up here because of the large group of fellow TFT travellers that have made it easy to meet new people and start to build a good social life out here.
Jamie sent loads of information and info on everything from the visa process to interview tips and helped place me with a company that has an amazing support system. The pay is a little lower than you might get if you did everything yourself rather than going through an agency, but the stability and job protection is more than worth it.
If you're looking to start teaching in China and want someone to help do all the tricky bits up front, this is for sure the way go go.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Say yes to any experiences that come your way, China throws everything and anything at you, so just go for it whenever you get the chance.
Pros
  • The ease of all the admin beforehand
  • Knowing a group of fellow travellers before coming out
  • The food is amazing🤩
What other participants should know
  • It really helps if you take one or two intro Chinese classes beforehand.
  • Don't stress the little things
  • Always carry toilet paper on you.
Ashlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best

In my last year of university I made the exciting decision to move from Canada to China to become an English teacher! I first heard about TFT through a fellow Canadian friend who had moved to China the year before. She connected me with Jaemi, and the rest is history!

From the very beginning, Jaemi was incredibly supportive and helpful. Moving across the world can feel overwhelming, but TFT made the experience feel so much easier.

These past few months have been filled with some of the most incredible and memorable experiences of my life. The transition to living in China has been very smooth, from finding an apartment and getting my visa sorted to settling into my new school.

Since arriving, I've had the opportunity to teach English to some wonderful kindergarten students, try incredible new foods, explore different places, visit Hong Kong, and make friendships that I know I'll cherish for years to come.

Moving to China has pushed me outside my comfort zone in the best possible way. I’m so excited to see where the rest of this year takes me.

Daniel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

3 years in China

What started off as a 10 month journey is now going to be over 3 years. I started off in Guangzhou in 2023 in a private school, which really fast tracked my experience in general, as I was fairly new to teaching, the school was quite high standard. I got plenty of training so was well prepared in that sense, but it was definitely pretty full on to begin with. Once you get into it, it gets easier and you can start to get out and explore a bit more. I have loved China, and it's been getting better ever year I've been here. I moved to into another school this year, mainly to get more pay since I am quite experienced now. TFT still reaches out to me now even after all these years and I could not have started this whole thing without them. They have everything laid out for you in the run up to moving to China and it was nice to be part of a group, some of which I am still friends with now

It is a tough move coming to China, but if you power through the first couple of months, you'll have an amazing time

Pros
  • Support throughout
  • Pay and benefits
What other participants should know
  • Homesickness
Stellanie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Experience

I had a really good experience with this agency. They made the whole process of getting a teaching job in Thailand way easier than I expected. Whenever I had questions, they were quick to reply and always happy to help. They kept me updated throughout everything and made sure I knew what was happening at each step. I'm really happy with the school they found for me, and the whole experience has been great so far. If you're thinking about teaching in Thailand, I'd definitely recommend this agency. They made the process smooth, easy, and a lot less stressful. :)

Jose
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Semester in Thailand

I have loved Thailand for a while now. I studied abroad here when I was in University and loved it so much I did not want to leave. I am grateful to this program for helping me come back. This experience has helped me see a whole new side of Thailand I did not get to see the first time. I got to explore the Northeast which I hadn't been to before. I got to meet so many new people that have been good friends. Overall, my experience has been amazing. Part of what made this experience so fun was not having to do everything on my own. TFT has experience in how to do all the requirements that are needed to be able to make this experience possible. This made the process much easier and less stressful. The pre-departure support was really good. They gave us multiple ways to contact them with any worries or questions and answered quickly. They also were constantly checking in to make sure everything was going smoothly and kept doing so after I was already in Thailand. Lastly, I really enjoyed the orientation in-country. I got to see a side of Bangkok I hadn't before and the boat ride at night was really beautiful.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Honestly I'd say the best advice is to be chill and go with the flow. Thailand schools are much more laid back than most of us are used to. There is not a lot of structure in places were we expect structure. Communication is very last minute and things constantly change without your knowledge. That was somewhat frustrating at times. However, once you let go of how you think things should be and just accept them as they are the experience becomes much more enjoyable. You end up feeling like a local and life becomes pretty easy.
Pros
  • New Friends
  • Learning a new language
Luke
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English in Shenzhen

With lots of help from my Chinese agency, the teaching has been lots of fun. I think the biggest challenge has been the weather (specifically the humidity) and just getting used to how things work in China, which isn't too hard. Traveling is very easy, especially within China. Everything is affordable for everyone, not just foreigners. There's a really nice atmosphere pretty much everywhere because restaurants, shopping centers (which there are a lot of) are always busy. I've also never paid more than 70p for the metro and it's very easy to navigate.

James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TFT

Very good program. Settled in China with ease. Really enjoying myself. The school i’m working at is full of friendly people helping you out along the way. I’ve met some good friends. There’s a lot of opportunities to save money. Good work life balance. I had a lot of nerves coming into this job and moving abroad but ultimately it’s been well worth it and i’d do it all over again. Jaemi is a very good lad who will make sure you are fine and if you have any issues he’s readily available to talk to.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go for it! They help you with everything, you’ll be sweet.
Pros
  • Tefl certificate
  • Job sorted
  • Meet people
Oliver
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Honest review

Whether you’re a first time TEFL teacher or already have experience, I can’t recommend this enough, clicking that link on Instagram was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From helping with my visa to supporting me throughout my placement, TFT have been amazing every step of the way, always there when you need them and genuinely having your back. I’ve been with TFT for two TEFL placements, one in Thailand and now in China, both are amazing, but if you can do China I do recommend it. If you’re thinking about it, just say yes, you won’t regret it.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Chicken feet
Pros
  • With china? Everything
  • With TFT? Constant support
  • With TEFL teaching? Confidence
What other participants should know
  • Nothing
  • Chicken feet
  • Nothing
Emma
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Easily Accessible and Orgaized

Overall, this TEFL Nomad course was extremely helpful, engaging, and very well-structured. The content was clearly organized and easily accessible, which made it simple to follow at my own pace without feeling overwhelmed. I especially appreciated the clear explanations and practical examples, as they made complex teaching concepts much easier to understand and apply. The course also offered a variety of useful tips for classroom management, lesson planning, and creating engaging activities, all of which I can take directly into real teaching situations. I found the combination of theory and practical guidance to be very effective, and it has given me more confidence in my teaching skills. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to strengthen their TEFL knowledge and gain practical strategies for the classroom.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice to future participants is to keep an open mind and be ready to explore new ideas. While the course is fully online, there’s a lot to learn from the lessons and real-world examples that can be applied in the classroom. I think it is essential to try different approaches, engage with the material, and be flexible! There may be things you didn't know about the English language, Western teaching, or classroom management strategies. In my opinion, being open to new ways of thinking will make the experience much more valuable.
Pros
  • Engaging videos
  • Easy to access material
  • Real-world examples/situations
What other participants should know
  • Inconsistent length in modules
  • Minor misspelled words
  • Sometimes inconsistent text color