TEFL Heaven

Program Reviews

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Gemma
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Heaven - Heaven by name, heaven by nature

I signed up to do TEFL Heaven because I wanted the security of being able to learn TEFL in an interactive and social way. It was a great decision.

The trainers were very knowledgeable and amazing to have around and the other people on the course were so lovely. We have an amazing network of support for when we need it, and lots of hook ups all over Thailand.

I wanted to challenge myself and make lots of new friends along the way. TEFL Heaven has enabled me to do that.

The 3 weeks training were some of the best of my life and I wish I could do it all again :D

What would you improve about this program?
The course could be better geared to the teaching environment you may find yourself in e.g. teaching older students and having to create a curriculum.
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Jaclyn
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Had a very good time

I really enjoyed the TEFL course and all of the games modeled throughout the training. One of the best parts of the course was the English Camp. Even though I have taught before, I found that I was quite nervous to teach in front of these little Thai children! However they nervousness slowly dissipated as we began playing games and just having fun with the children. I found that the English camp was a really useful way for all of us to get comfortable and acquainted with the Thai kids. I do wish that there had been a bit more of a focus on classroom management in regards to aneban in particular as that is something I am struggling with a bit now.

What would you improve about this program?
Although I was happy with the amount of emphasis placed on teaching primary school, I feel that there needs to be a more conscious effort to also focus the TEFL course just as heavily on aneban and mathium.
I think there should me more lessons on adapting lesson plans to suit higher and lower levels. Also, I think it would have been helpful for the Thai culture xlass to have been in the beginning of the course rather than towards the end.
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Keavy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

its called tefl heaven for a reason!!!

All i can say is, if you have a degree, and you don't do this programme, you're stupid. I seriously don't get why not just everybody would do this, even if it's just for one school semester, its four months out of your life. I came intending to do one year maximum, and it's approaching the two year mark. Cliche's aside about friendships forever and a life-changing trip, this programme couldn't have been better. It immediately launches you into a social scene, where you meet the people who will be your safety blanket for the rest of your experience, which is amazing, as you all experience the homesickness, confusion, and amazing amazing times together. People from other agencies who I have met, just haven't had that same experience at all. This truly will be the best three weeks of your life, its the best launch pad into teaching in Thailand. i have spoken to other people who went through other agencies, and I have not once heard better things about other agencies, TEFL heaven is by far the way to go. It's also a really personal agency, I had SO many problems, like leaving my passport in another hostel, and they sort it out immediantely. Mike, the director, is just hilarious. It's worth doing the course just to meet him, and all the rest of the staff are also amazing, normal, down to earth. Just do it!! If you want to contact me about the programme , ill put my contact details below!!!

What would you improve about this program?
That it would have lasted longer. Purely because it was the best three weeks ever.
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Francesca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best experience ever! Can't stop talking about it.

I really had the most amazing time on the training and during teaching. Since being back I can't stop talking about my experience with everyone and have even convinced some of my friends to sign up!

Teaching was something completely new to me so naturally I was terrified. However, after I completed the 3 weeks training I was so excited to get started. Mike and the rest of the trainers were amazing at preparing us and were always there if I had any concerns or worries. The training was very organised and it covered everything so I felt so confident by the time we finished. Even when we started our jobs Mike or Kerry would always be there immediately on the end of the phone if we had any problems. I met some great people on the course and at the Thai school who I am still in contact with now and so it is an experience I will never forget.

My only regret is that I didn't stay to teach for the second semester!
A big thank you to the TEFL Heaven team!

What would you improve about this program?
Im struggling to think of anything to improve! The accomodation (Koh Chang) was lovely, beautiful bungalows by the beach, but it was quite far out of town so had to spend a lot on the food there and taxis. But I'm not really complaining!
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Eva
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great TEFL Course in Thailand

I had an amazing time at TEFL heaven. The staff were all so helpful and friendly. In my experience TEFL staff went above and beyond for me. The other trainees were incredible and I have probably never had more fun in my life. Koh Chang was beautiful and the perfect setting for a program like this. I felt so much more prepared getting my TEFL certificate hands on and in the country I was going to teach in. I use the techniques TEFL trainers taught me in the classroom every day. I can't recommend the experience enough. The only downsides were that I did feel we overpaid for transport and accommodation and there was some theft problems at the resort but, for TEFLs part, I thought they handled the theft as best they could. I would reccmend the experience to anyone and everyone because even though it is expensive, it's priceless.

What would you improve about this program?
I would charge less for the transport to and from the island because it was more than doubled what it costs to go on your own. I know you need to pay for trainers to get there and that you don't make it mandatory To go with the group, but everyone obviously wants to so if there was a way to even slightly lower it I think that would be cool. Other than that, change nothing. :) TEFL heaven rocks.
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Peter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Greak Kickstart to a TEFL Career / Training Made Simple

2017 Update:

The 3 week course in Krabi was fantastic. We all met before hand in the recommended hostel so i was able to talk to some of the people on my course and get to know them a little. I was nervous about doing the course in such a hot country with complete strangers but we were all in the same boat and the trainers knew how we would feel. They did everything to help and make us feel secure. I was equipped with a lot of cultural information as well as teaching techniques that I simply didn't get from the online TEFL I had done previously. Overall I would recommend this to anyone wanting to make a change and do something worthwhile.

2014 Review:

I did an online TEFL PRIOR to doing this one and felt so confused as most of it was just multiple choice answers and i scraped by with a pass. The material was boring, I had no one to talk to for support or and peers to discuss things with BUT i was officially qualified. Great....but I had no confidence to be able to teach anyone anything to do with English especially in a paid school environment.
I saw TEFL Heaven Internship advertised online and was skeptical about paying money to do a course i had already done, however after researching it (The main guys who run this are on Facebook, its all openly there to see - no hiding or scams) I decided to do it. Wow! It was so much better to be able to have people in the same situation as me doing the course and understanding, not understanding and then discussing it to the point we felt confident. Its been 12 months since then and I am in constant contact with the company, they ask me how i am - I've met all the staff and all i can say is that its a genuine and honest almost family run company. They really do care because they were in my position themselves at some point. Overall I would recommend this to anyone. The school Im located at is VERY remote (which is what i wanted and asked for) so there is no night life which is why i rated it as a 5 - although the locals are always keen to drink, dance and sing Karaoke!!!

What would you improve about this program?
There honestly is nothing i can imagine to make this program any better (except obviously more money but that would be the same in any job hahaha!) The wage paid is MORE than enough to live of in a fairly grand fashion.
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Aaron
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The kickstart to a whole new life

Over two years ago I could never have imagined that I would be where I am today. TEFL heaven started me on my ESL career with a bang and I have never looked back. What I liked most about TEFL heaven and my placement was everything was at the right pace. Learning how to teach English as a foreign langauge was nerve racking, but they made it easy for me to digest and put into practice. My school was amazing and the support with problems was fantastic. I had heard of other companies not paying people or just not keeping promises, my company did. Recommend this company whole heartedly, TEFL heaven and ECHO English.

What would you improve about this program?
I would make the conditions for allowing some people to participate to be stricter. Some colleagues I felt had came to Thailand for disingenuous reasons and I would like to see a tighter interview screening process to help bring better teachers abroad.
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Jess
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

When people tell you it'll be the best 3 weeks of your life, they aren't kidding!

I had been told by friends who had done this course before me that it was going to be the most fun I'd ever have. You never really think your friends mean it when they say those things; but in this case, they really did. I learned so much about teaching in this country and made some incredible, life long friends that are my support system now in Thailand. The trainers are passionate about their jobs, which both inspires and excites you to be the best teacher you can. I considered doing the online certificate program (mostly because of financial reasons) but having done this 3 week course now, I am so happy I did it. It's worth every penny and honestly prepares you so much for your first day, and the rest of your time here in this beautiful country full of smiles!

What would you improve about this program?
I would encourage participants of the program to arrive in Thailand a few days before the actual travelling to the island. I would attempt to get the assistant trainers and head trainers there for those couple days as well, and try to get everyone together as a group in Bangkok before making their way down. I think it might help people settle into the initial shock that Thailand can sometimes be and encourage people to start making friends with one another before even getting there!
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D
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

highly recommended

I came out to Thailand on a bit of a whim, looking for a challenge and a change of pace. I chose the TEFL Heaven course on Koh Chang based on a recommendation from a friend who had also taken the course - and I am so grateful! I had zero teaching experience and very little travelling under my belt. It's safe to say that I was beyond nervous! TEFL Heaven provided a well-structured, informative course that helped reassure me that I had made the right choice. The location was beautiful and the accomodation ideal. The trainers were super helpful and being able to hear their own stories and experiences was a huge help. The guidance and support offered on this course boosted my confidence more than I could have hoped for and I went off to my placement feeling prepared and eager to get stuck in. Thai language and culture aspects of the course really helped set me up for life here and made it easier to settle into my small town. The other trainees quickly became my Thailand family and that sort of support network is priceless. Teaching abroad is always going to be a steep learning curve, and what you get out of it is based so much on your own attitude and willingness to persevere. Saying that, TEFL Heaven provided a great foundation on which I have been able to build on over a subsequent year and a half teaching. I'd highly recommend this company to anyone looking for a high quality TEFL course.

Read my full story
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Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Most amazing thing i've ever done!

Applied for the VTP as a spur of the moment thing (had the holiday blues lol), and it was the best thing i've done to date!
The people I met were lovely and supportive, had some amazing experiences & met some lifelong friends.
I have already been back to Thailand & i'm sure it wot be long before i return again.
The teaching side of it was great, sometimes challanging (as the thai teachers were not always particularly able to help/understand) but the ETA/TEFL team were always on the other end of the phone & helped with any problems.
Stayed friends with several of the staff & fellow volunteers!

If you are considering it - DO IT!!!! You wont regret it! But it might change your life & make your dull old life seem rather boring haha!

What would you improve about this program?
Perhaps training with some actual children, and also maybe more help with the curriculum- just to ensure that the kids got the most from the programme.