SEE TEFL Reviews

John, Dr. Quinn, and Shouvik were all wonderful instructors. The post - certification support far exceeded my expectations. I took this course back in 2021 during the pandemic and still to this day, Mr. John Quinn responds to my emails offering his contact information as lend to a positive reference. The course itself was intuitive, focusing on comfortability as an instructor first and foremost. The staff want nothing more than to see you succeed and it shows. I would highly recommend SEE TEFL for anyone that wants an in-person TEFL course (which is far more valuable, I found).

Thirteen years ago, I took a leap of faith and enrolled in the SEE TEFL course in Chiang Mai, not knowing just how much that experience would change my life.

Looking back now, I can honestly say that taking the SEE TEFL course was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The course was not only about learning how to teach English as a second language — it taught me how to connect with students, understand different learning styles, think creatively, and most importantly, how to enjoy teaching. The methodology was practical, engaging, and fun. We were encouraged to teach with energy, creativity, and heart, and to create meaningful memories with our students rather than simply standing in front of a classroom and teaching from a textbook.

Through SEE TEFL, I was also fortunate enough to get my first teaching job, which opened the door to what has now become a 13-year teaching journey here in Chiang Mai. What started as a course and a job opportunity became a life I never imagined I would have. Teaching in Thailand has shaped me in so many ways — not only as a teacher, but also as a person and, eventually, as a mother. The patience, understanding, adaptability, and love that teaching has taught me have become a part of who I am today.

One of the most special parts of the course was the people I met along the way. I made wonderful friendships with fellow trainees, and it makes me so happy that many of those friendships have lasted all these years. Even after 13 years, we are still in contact, sharing updates about our lives and remembering the experiences we had together.

And of course, I cannot talk about SEE TEFL without mentioning John and Ying. They have always been such lovely, warm, and sincere people. Their genuine care for their teachers and students has always stood out to me. Even after all these years, I still feel grateful for the kindness and support they showed me when I was just starting out.

SEE TEFL gave me much more than a teaching certificate. It gave me the beginning of a career, lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and a life in Chiang Mai that I have grown to love. Most importantly, it reminded me that teaching should be about having fun, connecting with people, and creating memories that stay with you.

Thirteen years later, I am still teaching, still learning, and still grateful that I took that first step with SEE TEFL.

Thank you, John and Ying, for being part of the beginning of a journey that has shaped so much of who I am today. ❤️

I took the SEE TEFL training in Chiang Mai and truly enjoyed it. It was challenging and I grew substantially so I will say that I got out of it what I put into it. But there was definitely fair judgement of skills and a lengthy period dedicated to skills improvement... Ergo, they helped us overcome personal challenges if we struggled with public speaking (like I did initially). The training was excellent and diverse in the skills it gave me. I can now teach without fear in front of a group, yet when I first began I had shaking knees. I owe my metamorphosis to a confident "front man" to the training I received at this school. And I also recieved job placement at a wonderful, small, local school where I made lifelong friends with both staff and older students, and their families. You will need to be humble, and control your previous expectations... Have no illusions; There is work and study required for success... This is not a place for the arrogant, or the braggert. But if you approach this work with a humble mind, and a kind, calm eagerness to put aside your ego and take in the knowledge offered by this program, you will be tremendously rewarded by your investment.

I enrolled in SEE TEFL course with a mix of excitement and nerves, and by the end, it surpassed all my expectations. The trainers were not only knowledgeable but also incredibly supportive—always ready to clarify concepts or offer guidance well beyond classroom hours

The teaching methodology they introduced was clear, practical, and empowering, making lesson planning and confidence in front of students truly achievable

The highlight, hands-down, was the observed teaching practice in local Thai schools. Having real classrooms and receiving feedback in the moment was invaluable—it grounded the theory in real-world practice and made so much sense
Chiang Mai was such a special backdrop for my learning journey. The city’s relaxed pace, beautiful temples, and friendly vibe offered the perfect balance to the intense course schedule.

Best of all, the support didn’t stop at graduation. I’ve stayed in contact with the team ever since—and they’ve continued helping me with job connections and teaching advice long after the course ended

Pros:
Knowledgeable, patient, and dedicated trainers offering personalized attention
Effective, hands-on teaching methods that build confidence
Real classroom teaching practice with useful feedback
Continued post-course support and job guidance

Cons:
The course is definitely intense—preparation and lesson planning can be time-consuming and demand a lot of energy

Final Thoughts:
This course was challenging, but that’s exactly what made it so impactful. By the end, I felt empowered, skilled, and ready to step into a classroom anywhere. If you're open-minded, eager to learn, and looking for a TEFL experience that truly delivers, this is absolutely it. Highly recommend!

I originally scheduled my TEFL course through ITA (International TEFL Academy) and I was surprised when I learned I was being sent to another school called "SEE TEFL", since I figured I'd take a course at an ITA school, and not a partner one.

Regardless, my experience at SEE TEFL was awesome. Teaching English can be quite daunting, but they make it the easiest thing in the world. The classes are full of great info that slowly build your confidence in your abilities, and then they give you a very easy to follow teaching methodology that allows you to add your own nuances in. All of the professors/graders were great, and really helped you once you began teaching in Week 3 and 4. There were opportunities for additional work that gave you a higher certification, and overall I felt as if they really did care about us as new teachers. The staff was very helpful, and I even got a job offer upon graduation at the exact grade-level I was open about wanting to teach.

Chiang Mai, Thailand is one of my new favorite cities to explore. The old-town area is a great slowed-down city that would probably take years to truly know, and as a photographer every alleyway provides some new unique beauty to capture.

This review probably sounds too good to be true, but honestly if you just have an open mind and realize you are, in fact, the foreigner who is presenting this alien language to a classroom of 30+ screaming six year-olds who won't stop staring at your beard, then you'll enjoy as much as I did.

Looking forward to moving back to Chiang Mai and staying in contact with SEE TEFL. Overall, wonderful course and I'd highly recommend!

I decided to enroll in this TEFL course after recommendation from a friend and I am SO glad I did! I’ve done an online TEFL course before, but this experience facilitated by SEE TEFL set the bar so high when it comes to TEFL training and support. Our instructors were intelligent and patient while giving us the skills we needed to make a positive impact in the classroom. The second half of the course consisted of in person teaching observations in actual Thai schools, not only getting experience of what the classroom environment is like, but also immediate feedback from our instructors on how to keep improving. The entire course I felt so supported and inspired to keep doing my all to be the best teacher I could be. Now almost a year later after finishing my course, I still keep in contact with SEE TEFL and they are still connecting me with new jobs and other opportunities!!! I’ve recommended this course already to all my friends who have even the slightest interest in teaching and I suggest to everyone to just take the leap!

The course is amazing. Great staff great facilities and overall great program. I’ve learned so much in 4 weeks. I’m confident in my teaching abilities thanks to the foundation that SEETEFL has taught me. The program itself is well balanced. As you progress your skill set begins to take shape and next thing you know you have completed the program and looking for work. SEETEFL also offers support after graduation you are never alone. The overall quality and effectiveness of the program speaks for itself. Thank you SEETEFL.

I did my SEE TEFL 4-week course a few months ago. I checked reviews, read blogs and forums, and compared them to other similar programs before enrolling. There wasn't really anything I found in my research to keep them off the top of my short list.

Pre-enrollment was made easy by the director's prompt responses to all my emails. He reassured me regarding my apprehensions and worries. Finally, I dived in and made the commitment. Around a month before training started I received a 'pre-arrival' training pack with video reviews of the teaching methodology we would be trained to use and an overview of grammar terminology. The first two weeks of onsite training focused on developing individual teaching skills and grammar awareness. There was also a little Thai - great fun - and a very useful day spent looking at Thai culture. The last two weeks were all about the observed teaching practices at local school. I can honestly say that I don't know how anyone can become an effective teacher without face to face training.

The school stayed in touch with me after training regularly asking us how we were going with our job searches and whether we needed any extra support. I didn't need help and found employment quickly but there were a couple of non-native speakers who needed extra help, but I believe they received it as I've seen photos of them teaching on Facebook.

There wasn't anything I would say that was negative. However, I think some trainees were surprised at the intensity of the last two weeks. This isn't an online class where you read about training, this course is serious about making you an effective teacher and this requires hard work.

Overall, a great experience that set me up for a fulfilling teaching experience.

I went to SEE TEFL in Chiang Mai back in 2011 with the intention of getting an English teaching certificate to be used to augment my retirement income, if needed, as I travelled around the world. As fate would have it, I returned to Thailand a year later, met a wonderful Thai woman, later we were married, and so I ended up never actually teaching English.

But having said that, the decision to take the certificate course with SEE TEFL was one of the best decisions I ever made. Director/teacher John Quinn and his lovely wife Dr. Ying, were terrific people who made the experience both educationally and personally very rewarding. The structure of their language teaching method is proven to be highly effective. The gradual daily increase in knowledge and experience is rigorous - yet a lot of fun. We also learned some basic Thai language along with a helpful bit of Thai culture.

An important and rewarding aspect of the SEE TEFL course was that many of the people I met in my class, and shared our "language boot camp" experiences with, became and remain good friends, some of whom I continue to be in close contact with all these years later.

I have many fond memories of SEE TEFL to this day. To be sure, everything starts at the top, and John Quinn and Dr. Ying are great people!

I am thrilled to write this glowing review of my experience at SEETEFL Chiang Mai! I had such a fantastic time there, as SEETEFL is renowned for providing top-notch TEFL courses that are both comprehensive and engaging.
From the moment I arrived at SEETEFL Chiang Mai, I was greeted with warmth and professionalism. The staff was incredibly helpful and supportive, ensuring that I had everything I needed to succeed in my TEFL course. The instructors were some of the best in the industry, and their passion for teaching English was contagious. They made sure to provide a learning environment that was both challenging and fun, making every class something to look forward to.
One thing that really stood out to me was the variety of teaching methods and techniques that were utilized at SEETEFL Chiang Mai. The course was designed to be hands-on, which meant that I was given plenty of opportunities to practice my teaching skills in real-world scenarios. This approach was incredibly effective, and it gave me the confidence I needed to start teaching English right away.
Overall, I have nothing but positive things to say about my experience at SEETEFL Chiang Mai. I received a top-quality education that has prepared me well for my future as an English teacher. I have no doubt that I will excel in my new role, thanks in part to the exceptional training I received at SEETEFL Chiang Mai. I am grateful for this experience and I highly recommend SEETEFL to anyone looking to pursue a career in teaching English.