CIEE Teach Abroad & TEFL Reviews

I found CIEE's TEFL course to be extremely helpful in preparing me for my time teaching overseas. The course was well-designed and easy to follow. My instructor was easily available to help answer questions, and gave excellent advice every time we spoke. The online platform made it easy to keep in touch with my classmates throughout the course, and the exercises that we completed together really helped to make these "online identities" feel like friends (starting with the very first assignment, Two Truths and a Lie, where we broke the ice). I particularly appreciated the course's instruction on the science of learning and the benefits of teaching and exploring new languages (everything from "It's useful in the job market" to "Understanding a language helps one understand a different culture"). Reminders like these made the less-exciting lessons feel worth it.

The course that I took was designed to be 120 hours online (or maybe 130?). This equates to about one hour a lesson. In most cases, I spent a bit more time than that to complete each segment; I was really aiming for a "Pass with Distinction," however, which could explain my slower pace. Make no mistake, the course is a significant time commitment--I would not have been able to take it while I was still studying at my university.

CIEE has successfully placed me with a school in Shanghai; however I am not yet there and this is my first foreign placement, so I cannot speak on the exact usefulness of my TEFL certification just yet! I will say that, after receiving my certificate and exploring the employment options that it affords me, the course seems to more than pay for itself. With this certificate from CIEE, I am able to teach in a myriad different countries. The opportunities seem endless! China is on the horizon, but receiving this certificate has inspired me to think beyond the next year and consider exploring different corners of the world... something that I would not have considered prior to learning about all that this certification course allows me to do. These opportunities, paired with the easy user experience and helpful guidance that I received from CIEE's TEFL instructors, make the course one of the best investments I have placed in myself. I would highly recommend it to those who are looking to become TEFL certified.

The beauty of CIEE is that when you are trying to make preparations to go to a new land where you can't read or speak the language they really try their hardest to make you feel comfortable. While everything may not go as perfectly as you think they should. CIEE does its best to come close. They give you foreign language classes, they bring in cultural guides and as part of the contract with CIEE you are GUARANTEED living arrangements. It is a good deal in all.

CIEE's Teach Abroad in China made it so easy for me to find a great teaching position abroad! They helped me connect with a school in Shanghai, my dream city! Both the US and China CIEE staff were there for me whenever I had a question about anything, from pre-departure documents and preparation to living abroad and my school. The in-country orientation was such a fun and great way to get acquainted with the country and the culture. We explored the hot spots of Shanghai, including the famous Yuyuan Gardens and Shanghai Tower.
Meeting my Chinese colleagues at the school exceeded my expectations. They were so kind, helpful, and generous upon my arrival. They made sure I had everything I needed to get settled in, and I could ask them for help with absolutely anything. While I had never taught before this program, my colleagues helped me quickly learn the curriculum and had me shadow some classes to get started. In all my classes, I also had a Chinese teacher with me to assist, which really helped me to adjust to any language barrier issues. My coworkers helped me quickly gain confidence as a teacher.
My experience was unique in that I taught during a calendar year, rather than an academic year. So my spring to fall semesters were very different! In the spring, I taught several age groups, from kindergarten to middle school. In the summer and fall I switched to teaching only kindergarten. My teaching experiences both semesters were very different but both exciting.
I had amazing experiences both in and out of the classroom. There is no greater feeling as a teacher than watching a student make progress in their language learning. I enjoyed playing learning games with my kindergarteners and having discussions in my middle school classrooms. I worked with a wide variety of age groups, which only kept me on my feet as a teacher and gained more skills.
Outside the classroom, I had the opportunity to travel and immerse myself in Chinese culture. I hiked to the peaks of both Huangshan and Huashan, walked the busy alleyways of the Muslim Market in Xi'an, marveled at the glorious karst mountains in Guilin, and saw the unique landscape of the "Avatar Mountains" in Zhangjiajie. Shanghai was an amazing city to live in: it has a mix of traditional Chinese culture, food, and architecture right next to modern skyscrapers with Western shopping and cuisines. It was crazy, busy, loud, crowded, and I couldn't have enjoyed it more. The hustle and bustle of this city was the highlight of my time abroad.
If you are looking for adventure, to be outside of your comfort zone, to try new foods and a new language, and to work with lovable children on a daily basis, this program is for you. CIEE placed me with a school that was very accommodating and helped me through the difficulties of adjusting to a new culture.
Deciding to teach abroad was one of the best decisions I ever made. It made me more confident in all aspects of my life. Living in another country and experiencing another culture has increased my global perspective and made me even more open-minded. It's an experience I wouldn't trade for anything. What are you waiting for? Go abroad!

I did a lot of research into different TEFL programs and found that CIEE was the most well reviewed and reputable program. The $1900 fee is well worth it for both the course and the assistance with the visa process and connections with jobs. I don't have a background in teaching and so the course was a great intro into the world of teaching, specifically teaching in a foreign country. The help with finding a job and the visa process was also worthwhile, as both those processes can be pretty overwhelming. I'm still wrapping up the course and so far have had quick responses and help from the CIEE staff. Would definitely recommend!

I have been teaching in china the past year, thanks to my tefl certification and CIEE. I absolutely love it! The skills you learn make you more confident in being able to work with the kids abroad. It is also a requirement for China now, so I am glad I decided to do it, even before it was deemed necessary. Despite being super expensive, it is a certification I will have for life, and that is worth the price.

So far I have had the best experience going through CIEE/OEG. They have been supportive from the beginning and through my time in Thailand. The orientation they provided was meaningful and gave us the opportunity to meet some amazing people! I love where I was placed in the East and I still receive emails even after I have already been placed and teaching. Although the program was expensive, it was worth every dollar because they really do help you throughout every step of the way. I LOVE Thailand and I am so glad I did this!

I applied to the Teach in Thailand program in February 2018 and started in May 2018. I will be in Thailand for a whole year and would definitely recommend doing this via CIEE. While it might appear quite costly to begin with, you soon discover it is worth it in comparison with other companies.

CIEE will ensure that your accommodation is provided, placement is arranged and communicate all steps of the process, both pre-arrival and when you get there. Airport transfers were also arranged when I arrived. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to participate in a week long orientation program where you get to learn more about Thai culture, experience some TEFL training, take a cultural trip and meet fellow people on the program. It's all extremely valuable and a great way for connecting with people so that you can travel on weekends or holidays. CIEE are in close partnership with OEG (Overseas Ed Group) whose contact details we have and can reach out to for support at any point during our stay.

I was very fortunate to be placed in a great school in Bangkok and I really do love the secondary level children that I teach. There are some really beautiful things to see here along with great food and culture. The people are very friendly and will go out of their way to help you, and ensure you are looked after! I haven't had much opportunity to travel at the moment but I have plans to visit Chiang Mai, Koh Samet, Ayutthaya, Erawan Falls and more!

Things to note before you consider applying:

- This is a real job. I cannot stress this enough. You will be expected to be in school teaching every day and you should take it seriously. For the majority of people, there will be plenty of time for travel as there are longer breaks in October and April, as well as national holidays/weekends throughout the year. It is worth noting however that holidays will vary from school to school and you will find out your own specific arrangements once you arrive at your placement. For example, some schools get Christian holidays whereas others do not. Some have shorter breaks etc.
- Come with an open mind and do not expect things to always go to plan. You will often find arrangements change but that's just part of the culture here - everything is done with minimum stress levels and no matter what happens, it will always work out.
- Finally, while Thailand is quite cheap in comparison with the likes of the US or UK - you should quickly learn not to compare prices with back home. The salary you receive will be in line with Thai salaries and therefore you will just need to be considerate of that in your spending. Having said that, it's relatively easy to eat what you want and do some travelling with the money we earn.

I would definitely recommend this experience to anyone considering it. Thailand has such a rich culture and is so different to anything you will ever do anywhere else. It offers great teaching experience, especially if you are a beginner, and helps you to find yourself as a person a lot more! There's plenty of opportunity to make friends as there is a huge expat community here but it also requires some effort from you to maintain those relationships! You will never feel lonely, just hot (all the time) and be full of smiles.

I can honestly say that teaching in Thailand has been one of the best experiences of my life and I don't believe I would have ever done it without CIEE. I had always wanted to work and live aboard, but I had no idea where to even begin. However, after discovering CIEE through a recommendation from a friend, the idea of living abroad was suddenly much less daunting! It may seem a bit costly, but it is definitely worth it. The staff (Kerry in particular) is amazing and always ready and willing to help you with anything. The orientation was very helpful and fun. Plus, the program in Thailand has the added benefit of partnering with a Thai company, OEG, so you will have in-country support while you are here as well. It has been a great experience thus far.

I absolutely love teaching in Thailand. My students have been my favorite part about this whole experience. They have such a positive energy that even on "bad days" I can't help but smile in class. Their joy and eagerness to learn is quite contagious! I would highly recommend taking the leap and applying.

Some advice before applying:
DO RESEARCH! Thailand is much different than the US. Read up on things like the culture, the weather, and the food before coming. It will greatly help you in the long run.
Be flexible. Thailand will probably not be anything like what you are used to, but if you approach the journey with an open mind and embrace the differences, you will definitely love it here.
Take your job teaching seriously. You were hired to be a teacher, so teach! It is incredibly rewarding to teach here in Thailand, the students are often so eager to learn. So please don't view this as a "paid vacation."

I have been in Thailand now for almost a year and it is going to be very, VERY hard to leave. I am actually considering extending my stay! The experiences you will get to have by becoming part of your school and town's community are unprecedented. I have made so many great friends here, traveled to so many great places, and seen so many things I thought I would never see. Overall, Thailand is a wonderful and breathtaking country and I am so grateful for the time I have been able to spend here.

I am so grateful to have taken this course through CIEE! I already knew that I was getting a job through CIEE, which is why I rated the job assistance one lower. My tutor was very helpful, she answered any and all questions I had and she was a great instructor. It made me very excited to go teach in Korea this fall, and helped me realize the true challenges I would face. It's clear that this CIEE TEFL course was created from people who have seen participants teach abroad many, many times, and brought very valuable information. It taught me things I would have never thought of, and I appreciate the collaboration with my tutor and other students. Even though it was online, I feel like I got to know my classmates and the material very well. I am anxiously waiting my departure date to use what I learned through this course. I cannot recommend it enough!

I have never taught before and was afraid that this TEFL course would be difficult, but it was easy to follow and emphasized points in a way that is easy to understand. There are some parts of a few presentations that could be worded better, in my opinion, but there is nothing so egregious as to distract from the learning. I love that it uses a variety of methods for teaching, including live tutorials with a tutor and the rest of your class, written exercises, video examples, and more!