Program Reviews

I just wanted to write this because I’m truly impressed with the return on investment from the Teach in Spain program. Spanish bureaucracy in general is a nightmare from what I’ve gathered, but the whole Covid situation makes it so much more ridiculous. But CIEE has been on point every step of the way.

From guiding us through the complex process of getting our visas back home, to welcoming us into Spain and laying out every single step from that point forward. They really do make the insanity that is Spanish bureaucracy as simplified and painless as possible. Their customer service is always amazing, and they're always happy to help resolve whatever issue you’re having. Definitely worth signing up for.

The class is definitely worth the price. The online platform is easy to navigate and very straightforward. The class is very engaging, so be prepared! This class will require a lot of work, but you will learn a lot. There are plenty of additional sources given to you that you may save for future use, and the class really pushes you to interact with your classmates. The weekly live tutorials are optional but VERY helpful. You can get out of this course what you put into it, so make sure to put in the extra effort.

This course offers a ton of great information that is challenging and growing. Make sure you have a few hours a day to spend on this because that is how you will get the most out of the program. If you have the time, I would recommend it in a heartbeat. I had no previous teaching experience so I have been consistently learning and believe that it can benefit me in any type of classroom teaching experience. I love how it goes beyond teaching and includes culture, history, and grammar (which we never learn in school anyway). It is truly an amazing experience!

Different programs offer different levels of support during your time abroad. One of CIEE's biggest selling points is that they offer you continued support during your time abroad in case anything comes up. For a little while during the Coronavirus outbreak CIEE was offering us support and updated information, but then they decided that they were going to shut down their operation suddenly in many countries. Almost all of the 'continued support' that they had to offer us came from email updates. The rest of Spain is working from home, so I do not understand why they couldn't do the same in order to keep us informed. I was already a bit dissapointed with what I got out of the program given the price, and now I want to warn other people of what might happen to them. This is the nightmare scenario of moving abroad, and one of the main reasons to use a program, and CIEE abandoned us. STAY AWAY FROM THEM.

When I first received my placement I was a bit disappointed. Like the dozens of other applicants I had list my preferences for the south or by Bangkok. Instead, I was placed in a Nakhon Phanom, a small town in Northeast Thailand right on the border with Laos. I could not be happier with my placement. Here I was able to immerse myself fully into my role as an educator and apart of my Isan community. The unique placement allowed for a very special experience. My students, the residents and my co teachers quickly welcomed me into their tight knit family that only a small town could boast. Students quickly learned that I loved Thai food and would give me various snacks to try. Residents would see me in town and give me lifts when it was too hot for me to be walking. Or give free Hong Thong and take me to bars just after one meeting. Co teachers would literally come to my house to check in on me when sick. While I didn’t get to experience the hustle and bustle of Bangkok or the beautiful beaches, I got something much more meaningful and precious. I had a new family. I am so grateful for my placement in the Amazing Isan region.

I taught with OEG for the second semester of the 2018 school year, and OEG was, and still continues to be even a year after my employment with them, a fantastic resource for interfacing with the infamously bureaucratic Thai immigration system. Most recently, I've received help with employment documents relating to Thai immigration, and what is usually a never ending ordeal of paperwork has been made pretty simple on my end with their great approachability and responsiveness. Not to mention that this help is only necessary because I am teaching in Thailand again this year due to my first experience being so great.

For your first experience in Thailand, OEG is the perfect choice because they provide you with an orientation that gets you acquainted with other new teachers and support staff as well as the basics of Thai language and culture. Once you get to your school, OEG provides support which makes it easier to get the necessary documentation to stay and work in Thailand and their support staff, many of whom are teachers here as well, are extremely friendly and helpful with any questions you might have.

Managing your expectations for the school facilities in Thailand is important, but most schools, from what I've heard and in my personal experience, have the means to accommodate any teaching style with enough effort on the teacher's part. If you use PowerPoint in the classroom, computers and classroom projectors are quite common. You will always at least have a blackboard and chalk, but if you're placed in a city you'll almost certainly have more. The school I was placed at had TVs in the classroom as well as a whiteboard and projector, and even air conditioning in most of the classrooms.

Overall I completely recommend this program and had nothing but good experiences in regards to everything OEG provided. If you want to teach abroad and haven't dealt with the Thai employment system before, doing this program is undeniably the best way to go. The initial cost is nothing compared to the information and experience it provides you with, and it makes your future trips abroad much easier to manage.

After I desired a shift in my career path, I applied to the program because it seemed like a great, immersive, but short-term opportunity. It turned out to be an excellent decision, and I have no doubt it will be for you too. CIEE is there with you every step of the way and streamlines the process - so whether you are a first-time traveler or a seasoned traveler, you'll be confident getting on that plane.

You can choose your preference for what age group you want to teach, so the sooner you apply, the better! You will likely teach a mix of different grades, which makes for a lot of fun. As far as how much "lesson planning" - that's up to you and the teachers. For some classes, I would propose things via email to teachers (like cultural presentations and games about Thanksgiving, etc), and they were thrilled. Other teachers preferred me to assist, rather than to lead. Both sides of this were really valuable, however!

I took this TEFL certification through CIEE to go with my teach abroad program in South Korea, Spring 2020. At first, I really thought the course was a little overwhelming, it did seem like there was always so much to do and working full-time did leave me a little nervous. Fortunately, you develop a routine with this course incredibly quick and the tutors are always understanding and supportive. Before you realise it, you've already completed the course and you're closer to your next destination!

The beginning of the course was easy and light to get you settled in the first week. They help you will the function of the website and process you will go through. I had an excellent class who were involved in the chats. I would say the hardest part was to remember to go back into the discussion board and do a follow up on the you classmates comments. If you truly want to get help with teaching ESL this course will help you with all of the basics and has a great community to assist you. I wish you all the best and Join CIEE.

My transition to Madrid was nothing but easy and carefree due to the helpful and constant support I felt from the CIEE staff. Their pre-departure guides were available for step by step instruction which made the process stress free. Once arriving to Madrid, the orientation taught me what I needed to know about living in this new city, my job, and allowed me to meet new friends! I always felt I could ask for help if needed! Overall, teaching English to students has been such a fun and rewarding experience that I would recommend for anyone wanting to grow and discover new places!