Program Reviews

If you're interested in teaching abroad, or want to experience another culture but haven't had the opportunity, TLG is the perfect program.

TLG is the entry-level job in the global Teaching English as a Foreign Language market. They provide full benefits - flights are paid for, as is health insurance and a stipend that is generous by local standards - but the requirements and commitment are relatively low. You can sign on to teach for half a school year, with an option to renew your contract if you like it here. Because of these factors, TLG is a great way to find out if teaching abroad is something you'd like to pursue.

I came to Georgia with no real idea if I'd like teaching English. After a year, I renewed my contract for a second year and signed up for an online TEFL course. Now, with a TEFL certificate and two years TEFL experience, I could land a highly competitive TEFL job anywhere in the world - Korea, Japan, the Middle East.

I, however, have fallen in love with Georgia. With the people, the hospitality, and the spirit of reform and rebirth that Georgia hasn't lost in the two decades since the fall of the Soviet Union. Even though I could make a lot more money teaching in other parts of the world, I have no plans to leave. I think that alone says more than a mere description of TLG or Georgia.

Potential downsides of the program: life with a host family can be challenging. Culture shock can hit hard. Georgia does not have all of the modern conveniences of Western Europe and the US. The language barrier can be hard to surmount. Georgia's conservative, patriarchal culture can be hard to get used to.

However, I think that overcoming these challenges helped me to grow and mature in ways I would never have expected. TLG is always supportive and constantly strives to help their volunteers cope with the difficulties of adjusting to life in a foreign country.

Coming to Georgia is a great adventure, a learning experience, and a chance to make a real impact in a part of the world that few people truly know or understand.

Working with Teach and Learn with Georgia can be a great experience. Applying is relatively simple and all your questions are answered in a timely manner. When you are excepted they arrange your flights and pick you up right at the airport and take you for a week long orientation and help you set up everything you will need for a semester or year in Georgia (i.e.: cellphone, bank account, cultural information, what is expected of you.)
Georgian people are really friendly and try to help you in every way they can. The country is beautiful and small enough that you can explore it on the weekends.
Teaching in Georgia can be challenging, as some of the schools are old and run down, but it can also be a lot of fun and for the most part the students love having a foreigner teaching.
The host families that teachers are placed with are very welcoming, but if problems do arise there is always someone with Teach and Learn with Georgia who you can talk to and get everything worked out. They also deal with issues very swiftly.
Over all it's a great program if you are looking for something different that you have probably experienced and are open to new things.

Georgia is amazing. Georgians are amazing. The program was great fun, and it felt meaningful. The only drawbacks were a lack of resources - bring plenty of supplies! They will love you for it.

Georgians are very warm, open-hearted and loving people - some are even protective of their volunteers! Host family life is generally good, my family was amazing, and I can't wait to visit them again.

Good luck with Saqartvelo. The challenges are worth the rewards.