Program Reviews

I needed to experience something new and teaching english in Vietnam def ticked that box. Doing the training with XploreAsia also helped me ease in to living in Vietnam. They provided world class training but more importantly showed me how to navigate life here in Vietnam. I couldnt ask for better people to deal with. They supported me during my course and still provides ongoing support. I am have continued to live here in Vietnam and now a teacher teaching in district 2. Thank you XploreAsia for the fun experience!

My name is Luyanda and I am a South African ESL teacher living in Yangon, Myanmar. I moved to Myanmar in October 2022 and since then, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions. The excitement of leaving South Africa was mixed with fear and nervousness when I finally arrived in Myanmar. This was one of the biggest life-changing experiences I've gone through. When I first arrived, I was escorted to the apartment I still live in now. I'm fortunate enough to not pay rent or utilities. (The utilities gets taken off your salary if you choose to stay in accommodation provided by XploreAsia). People are very friendly and are always willing to help. I experienced huge culture shocks when I first arrived in Myanmar. It's way hotter and more humid than a December in Pietermaritzburg. I find myself sleeping with the airconditioning on and waking to terrible sinuses. If you're planning on moving to Myanmar, pack a lot of sunscreen. Another culture shock was not seeing Black people as regularly as I saw them in South Africa. It does get a bit lonely but I've made friends in Myanmar. Working in Myanmar has been great. Teaching is a new career for me. Before I left South Africa, I studied television screenwriting and directing. After years of trying to break into the entertainment industry, I decided that I needed a career change for a couple of years and I chose teaching. I've only taught for a year but it's one of the most fulfilling decisions I've made. It's lovely seeing students improve and get excited about the marks they got after each semester. I teach English to all ages. The best thing about teaching is being able to have friendly relationships with the students. Teaching does get challenging. Sometimes, a lesson doesn't go as planned and you'll have to think of activities on the spot. It happens to many teachers. My advice for moving to a new country is to accept as much help as possible. Ask questions about anything that you need to know. I think Myanmar is a lovely country and I hope more people are able to come.

I've been teaching in Yangon, Myanmar for just under five months now and I have found the experience to be a very interesting and unique one. I enjoy living in Yangon and I enjoy working at NELC-Xplore. The staff and management are very friendly and helpful. Myanmar is a beautiful country with very friendly people who are keen to help you get settled in and familiar with your new surroundings. I would definitely recommend coming to work and live here. The students are really dedicated to studying English.

I started my life here in Myanmar back in 2020. I joined the Tesol course at NELC-Xplore and met some wonderful people. The course was extremely beneficial and I was placed in a great school. Life changed a bit after Covid-19 and the political situation but staying here through all of it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I have a secure job, a great apartment and I have met some amazing people that I consider as my family. I highly recommend choosing Myanmar. It's a very special country!

My experience in Myanmar through this program has been life-changing. What I like the most is how I became fully immersed in the local culture. I've been in Yangon for nearly 7 years now, even though I originally planned to stay for only 9 months. I fell in love with the place. The warm welcome from Cplore and the local community, delicious food, and lively traditional festivals made me feel like a part of this beautiful culture.

The Xplore program staff and the welcoming locals played a huge role in making me feel at home and helping me get on my feet. Their support and friendliness were instrumental in my journey. I wholeheartedly recommend this program to anyone seeking a special ESL teaching experience combined with an incredible cultural adventure.

After getting my TEFL certificate, I didn't feel prepared to actually teach anywhere. My bad for choosing an online course, I guess, but still- at best, I could recite some theory. I certainly wasn't ready to upend my entire life by moving to Vietnam. Thankfully, with its mixture of practical learning and enjoyable activities with a group of similar expats, along with excellent support from program staff, XploreAsia's placement program made me truly feel ready to begin my new life.
Prior to leaving, we had ample explanation and resources on what we would need for moving to and working in Vietnam, helping us navigate through all the legal requirements. Once there, we spent a week learning about Vietnam in classes, getting basic language instructions, and going on actual trips- the War Remnants Museum and Buddhist temple were particular favorites of mine. Most significant, however, was the teaching practicum- an event where we got to plan a lesson and work in an English center, getting a feel for what to expect that the online course itself only brushed upon. Furthermore, the staff always responded to us on the questions we had, no matter how trivial- why yes, it IS safe to brush your teeth using the tap water here. Thanks!
Admittedly, there were some issues- I would have liked a more detailed explanation on finding long-term accommodation once here (it was glossed over in the brochures), although we did receive helpful information once we arrived. Thankfully, it's not hard to find a good apartment quickly here. Additionally, the guest house at which we were placed wasn't perfect; the owners of that place spoke no English. These are VERY minor issues given what the program offered, however.
XploreAsia helped me begin my TEFL journey far more successfully than I ever could have done alone. I'm happy to recommend them to anyone looking to start.

Overall the experience with explore Asia has been positive. I felt well supported during the build up to leaving. The team were quick to answer any concerns and I felt reassured they knew how to deliver a good experience for teachers. Upon arrival they have been nothing short of excellent. The in country team consisting of Lan and Jordan were great, answered every kind of question I could think of and gave a great week full of exciting tours and top tips. Cassidy was great, she has helped me every step of the way and helps make the scary complicated stuff sound normal and easy to understand so every credit to them. I feel happy to have picked explore Asia to partner with. Particular from a UK perspective it can be very daunting and the visa etc are often confusing. Explore Asia did all the hard stuff so my life was easier and has made such a difference. I had a bit of nervous anxiety before arrival but from day 1 it went away and I have had nothing but good experience since then.

My Experience in Vietnam started off great when I got an offer to teach. Along the way, there were unexpected shortcomings. However, Xploreasia handled my situation very well, Supported me through placement with another school, they helped me with Interview preparations, they kept checking on me with updates, they allowed me to express my fears ,frustrations, and during that time; they ALWAYS came up with SOLUTIONS. I would recommend them because they take care of you. I never felt alone during the process. Cassidy, Riyaad, and Lan Anh really are Awesome.

I have had so much fun completing my in person Tesol certificate. I don't think I would have felt prepared enough for teaching if I had done it online however through doing it in person with in person experience teaching in Vietnamese schools and trailing our lesson plans on each other in class I believe that I entered the crazy world of teaching in Vietnam with a lot of confidence, skills and importantly friends! I am currently teaching in Hanoi in language centres and 6 people from the Tesol course in Ho Chi Minh have got jobs up here. This is hugely helpful as it makes the move to a new city far easier with an already formed social group. Saying that the Vietnamese people in the workplace and beyond have been amazing and it has not been difficult to settle in and find a sense of community. I would absolutely recommend XploreAsia for a fun, quality, professional course with plenty of support during the course and onwards into employment!

ExploreAsia have been very helpful in supporting me while working in Vietnam. Not only did they provide amazing support during the orientation week, while organising amazing trips and chances to meet other teacher, they are also still supporting me while working in Vietnam. I know that I can pick up the phone to contact them about any concern or query and they are always ready and willing to help. They have been a vital part of my transition to teaching in Asia. I would highly recommend XploreAsia