Impact Teaching

Program Reviews

Default avatar
Brianna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

The school and program I’m working with is fantastic! It not only meets my living and teaching requirements, but also accommodates any unexpected personal needs. It gives me challenges and rest when I need to. The staff and students are very caring and supportive. Impact Teaching program gave me a great guide to prepare me for moving. Being a first time traveling teacher can be stressful so I wish there was more support and understanding from the program. However, with their help and the help of a sister agency I was able to find an amazing school. All we need is more blogs and videos to help guide new people and we are good. Overall, a great first experience. Good luck to new travelers.

Pros
  • Great Journey and preparation Guide when
  • Amazing School and Agency Recommendations
  • Flexible and Legitimate Company to help the overseas travel
Cons
  • Customer service needs to improve for first time US travelers
  • More support before and after moving to China
  • More guidance on what to think about before moving hwre
Default avatar
Stuart
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in china 2015-2016

First class experience all supported and organised through impact teaching which before was teach English in china. Arnold and the guys made everything simple and there was always support and someone there to help when needed. Process was very smooth and service was excellent. Very well organised and did not feel like you were moving so far away from home.

Would highly recommend Arnold very personable and willing to help. Has kept in touch nearly 10 years later and has helped me with a few career things along the way.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go for it. Don’t think, DO. Travelling and seeing the world is a better experience than anything else . You will grow
Pros
  • Support
  • Experience
  • Organisation
Default avatar
Robbie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Robbie Taylor China 2024

Firstly Arnold at Impact Teaching was incredibly helpful and supportive during the entire process, and was always there when I needed him. Living here is a great experience which I am glad I did, and I believe it is incredibly valuable and will hopefully open the door to more opportunities potentially in Shanghai, Hong Kong or other well connected places. It is very important to get stuck in to some extra curricular activities to get a better chance of meeting new people which I have done with football.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My future advice would be to think about how you are going to spend your evenings in the week, and even the weekend, as having hobbies like football, learning the language, or in my case trying to learn some music production skills, because when you don’t have anything to do in the week once you get home around 6, it could prove to be a bit lonely and you may feel a bit homesick, which is normal.
Pros
  • Cultural differences
  • Independence
  • CV (showing you are willing to go and do something like this is valuable)
Cons
  • Losing all your habits and comfort foods that you may have at home and having to find new versions of everything.
  • May feel lonely at times which emphasises the need to get yourself out there and do activities.
Default avatar
Helena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great first experience

I never taught before so I was a little bit worried when starting this program but the agency had many lessons plans available to draw inspiration from and the school was very helpful and patient. It was a school on the countryside so the English level was very low and many students weren't interesting in learning English. I told the school my concerns and they suggested playing esl games instead of just teaching. In hindsight I'm not sure if all the students were able to improve their English but the students who worked hard came to me on their own volition to ask questions and advice with projects and competitions. I was able to really have fun with the students and bond with them and I miss them very much, even outside of the classroom and played beachvolleyball with a group of students regularly. There weren't many restaurants or bars in my village so I had to drive to the next city (30 min) but I was able to enjoy the slow life and travel frequently all over Thailand and it is truly a breathtakingly beautiful country. It was an unforgettable experience and I'm really proud and happy that I did this.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I saw roadworkers working in slippers. This really opened my eyes and showed the differences between my culture and Thai culture as this would be absolutely impossible in my homecountry. Other 'surprising' things are just the views and all the Buddhas, you'd be driving on the highway and all of a sudden there would be a giant golden buddha the size of a 30 story building at the side of the mountain looking over the city. Thailand's nature, mountains in the North and beaches in the south, are also very beautiful. I should mention there is a huge difference between living in a city and living on the countryside. The countryside is a slow life with a limited social scene but the cities are bustling. I had the fortune of living in the countryside 30 minutes away from a provincial city and was able to rent a car from a teacher at my school so I was able to combine both which I really enjoyed, but this is definitely something to consider before going as the other foreign teacher liked to go clubbing every week and didn't have a Thai drivers license so he was annoyed that he had to make arrangements every time. (I didn't mind, I found Thailand had so much more to offed.)
Pros
  • Beautiful views and travel opportunities
  • Amazing, friendly people and students who will adore you
  • Chance to de-stress and live a carefree life
Cons
  • Very very very very hot weather
  • Real Thai food is nothing like westernised Thai food and was very spicy, non spicy food choices are very limited and I ended up eating the same dishes often or just cooking at home in my improvised, tiny kitchen (not a problem if you live in the city)
  • No public transport in the countryside (one bus a day to the city)
Default avatar
Sihle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Program rating

My experience in China has been wonderful thanks to the teaching program. They truly make life easy from the visa process and the useful tips they provide to get through life in a new country. Any questions you may have will be answered so that you feel comfortable and ready when you reach your country of choice. It is my first time in China and I am so grateful to have a team behind me that makes my life easier. All I have to focus on is preparing my lessons and getting to school on time. I am grateful for the opportunity.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was when I student wanted to touch my hair.
Pros
  • Visa process
  • Housing and accommodation
  • Breakfast and lunch provided at school
Default avatar
Helena
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Definitely recommend

I went to Thailand with the same agency the year before and I really enjoyed it so I decided to sign up for another year and went to China this time. I had an absolutely amazing time, and Shenzhen is a beautiful city. I speak Chinese a bit so I was able to make friends quickly and bond with the students. There were a few bumps in the road but Arnold was super helpful and supportive so I definitely recommend them. I'm no longer teaching with them because I found a new job in China and will stay here long term.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
When I went to Thailand I did a lot of research on culturele diffences but I forgot to do it for China so this did put me in an akward position once or twice. Always look up information about the culture even if you're an experienced traveler.
Pros
  • Housing support
  • Great school
  • Helpful coworkers
Cons
  • No airport pickup
Default avatar
Vera
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

It is a scam

After paying for the program, I believe that the director will suddenly become too busy for you. I paid for the program for over a year now and I haven’t gotten anything from them. We have a groupchat filled with people he scammed and refused to refund. Some even threatening to lawyer up to get their money back. The director said the problem is with Polish immigration but keeps taking money from people and adding them to the group chat! He’s not only greedy but callous!

What would you improve about this program?
The program is a scam
Pros
  • Scam
Cons
  • It’s a scam
  • He won’t take you to Poland
  • If you have a strong passport and somehow get to Poland without Arnold’s help, do not expect any support from him.
Response from Impact Teaching

Hi Vera. We’re terribly sorry to hear about your experience on the program. This type of feedback is not common but we appreciate it, nonetheless. We are very much not a scam and none of our reviews are fake, so it is incredibly disappointing to hear your strong feelings.

All of our teachers who faced delays waiting to go to Poland last year have already been offered a full refund, and we have started to issue them.

We were not the only teach abroad company to face issues with Poland last year. In the runup to the election, the majority of visas were put on hold and things became quite complicated. These matters were completely out of our hands but we were working tirelessly to resolve them.

We also did our best to keep candidates in the loop with developments through multiple Zoom calls and individual correspondence, so we regret to hear that you feel it wasn’t enough. We sincerely apologise.

The problem has since been resolved and moving to Poland is much easier again. Despite this, we are in the process of issuing full refunds to candidates that have requested them.

And Vera, we don't recognise your name, please reach out to us and we'll be in touch to arrange your refund as soon as possible. We hope to make this right and apologise for your experience.

Default avatar
SONIA
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Outstanding support by the agency

I had a wonderful time in Thailand. I got to know my Thai colleagues and the culture well. I am so grateful to have had the experience of working and living abroad, and I couldn't have done it without the help of Impact Teaching. Arnold provided great assistance before going to Thailand. He was very considerate about my request to work in a primary school, and he continued to help and support throughout my stay in Thailand. I highly recommend using Impact Teaching's service if you are looking to work in abroad.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate a range of exotic fruits like mangosteen, rambutans, Thai mango, and dragon fruits to name a few.
Pros
  • Great support
  • Low fee
  • Considerate about your choice of placement
Default avatar
Karlee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Impact Teaching

Impact Teaching made the process of applying to and interviewing for this teaching position so easy. The program in Budapest, Hungary is really amazing and the staff is very supportive here. This is a rare opportunity to be “all in” as a teacher abroad teaching alongside great Hungarian co-teachers at a bilingual school. company here provides housing, immigration, and other support which lifts a lot of the stress of moving abroad. Budapest is truly an amazing city to live in and there is never a shortage of things to do and new places to see. It’s location also allows for easy day trips and weekend trips to other areas of Hungary as well as other surrounding countries!

Pros
  • Accomodation
  • Location
  • Staff and Management
Default avatar
XL
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful experience

It was a wonderful experience, and I'd love to recommend this program to all my friends and everyone who wants to have an unforgotable experience in another country! I participanted the program in 2020, during the program, I received 24/7 support before and after I entered into Thilland. They are so professional that can help you solve all kinds of problems no matter when and where you contact them. Thanks a lot for all your effort! I also met a lot of friends during my teaching in Thilland, looking forward to meeting you guys again!

Pros
  • Professional
  • Considerate
  • 24/7support