Program Reviews

I am so grateful to Kathryn and Rosanne for the opportunity I had with them at Samui TEFL. It was the most amazing experience and not only helped me to become more confident but also taught me essential classroom skills.
The course was well structured and had lots of different elements to it, I really enjoyed the diary entry element as it now gives me something to look back on. I'm sure I learnt more studying for the tests over the course of the 4 weeks than I ever did at school!
I loved working in groups to plan lessons and it was great teaching with a partner as it took away some of the pressure, everyone was so supportive of one another and we had a lovely small family! The location is fantastic, I never thought I'd be attending school on an island! Who doesn't to chill out at the beach after school or on the weekends.
The support you receive looking for jobs and after the course has finished is also what makes Kathryn and Rosanne so excellent and I'd 11/10 recommend Samui TEFL to anyone who wants to complete a TEFL course.

I had the chance to do a TEFL course a few years ago, didn't do it, and regretted my decision ever since. So when I finally decided to go for it, I'm so glad I found Samui TEFL! As soon as I got in touch with Rosanne, I had all my questions answered and so much support all the way through the whole course. I did my class in January 2017 and I am now living and working in Chachoengsao about and hour outside of Bangkok and still know that I can always count on my teacher Kathryn if I would need any help. Kathryn is an absolute fabulous teacher and knows what she is talking about. The course is jam packed with so much to learn and a quite a bit of work but so worth it in the end. I feel way more prepared from taking this course, so when I got a teaching job teaching Kindergarten with 30 kids I felt nervous but prepared. I had tons of ideas to use from class and learned classroom management techniques that were SO SO helpful! Kathryn and Ashleigh were helpful outside of class as well, helping us learn about Thai culture, telling us where the good beaches are, and helping us organize an island hopping day. Also Ashleigh helped us with our resumes and finding jobs starting the 2nd week of the course. I have made some lifelong friends from this course and I know will enjoy a lifetime of adventure! Best decision ever! If you are thinking about it- just go for it! You won't be disappointed!

Upon graduating university in 2015, I applied to the Samui TEFL program on a whim as a young 22 year old. I booked a one-way plane ticket and headed to Thailand for what I thought would be just 6 short months. I honestly had no idea what to expect and I had no real expectations.

On the first day of class I remember the atmosphere feeling so relaxed and it made me feel so confident in my decision to go to Thailand and to go through Samui TEFL. Kathryn was so welcoming and professional, everything was organized and communicaton was great. I met some of the greatest friends who, two years later I still talk to on a weekly basis!

After teaching in Thailand for a full year, I can still say today that choosing Samui TEFL was the best decision I made to begin my journey in Thailand. I could never have walked into a classroom of 37 Thai 5 year olds without the experience Samui TEFL gave me.

Kathryn and I are still in touch today and I know she would help me with anything!

I was 35 years old living in Philadelphia when I decided to turn my life completely upside down. I had great friends, a nice apartment, a good job with a promotion on the horizon but something was missing. I wanted to travel, really travel. My 9-5, Mon-Fri job would not allow that and I needed to make a change. When I researched living and working abroad I came across TEFL and knew that was the answer. I spoke with friends then friends of friends, and found someone who took Samui TEFL and highly recommended it. It is overwhelming finding a credible TELF course. There are so many out there that are not going to prepare you the way Samui TELF does. The instructor Kathryn is very knowledgeable, engaging and fun. It is hard to imagine sitting in a classroom for 6 hours learning about grammar when the beach is a 2 minute walk away. Kathryn somehow manages to keep your attention. The teacher practicums are terrifying and the most fun! I was so scared for my first one and when it was finished I could not wait until the next one. Practicing with real students is extremely important and beneficial to course. Do NOT do an online course, you will miss out on working with real students. Samui TEFL gives you a solid base to start off of as a new teacher however, you will be putting in a lot of work along the way. My biggest piece of advice is to ask a lot of questions in class, then ask more. You will not be alone, everybody in class will be thinking the same thing "what did I get myself into?" the answer is "the most exciting adventure of your life"! Kathryn will be there for you every step of the way. She will give you additional resources and put in contact with others. Samui TEFL brings in a recruiter one day that you can openly ask any question you want about job searching. My Samui TEFL class had 22 students in and on 2 day, I had 22 amazing friends. The course is intense with a lot of work and studying however, you are not alone. Samui TEFL does more than teach you how to lesson plan and grammar structure. It provides you an environment that prepares you for the adventure of your life. I have a great job at a school that I love but, more importantly because of Samui TEFL, I have a family in Thailand that is there to support me and travel the world with me!

I highly recommend Samui TEFL!! It was a fantastic month of learning, creativity, pushing comfort zones, and soaking up all of Kathryn's (TEFL instructor) wisdom and advice, with a great bunch of people! It gave me a solid foundation for my TEFL teaching career, and it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy and explore all the delights of the beautiful island of Koh Samui. The instructor Kathryn is brilliant. She has a wealth of information and creative ideas, which really makes you feel equipped and prepared to enter the world of ESL teaching. The teacher practices in local schools are great fun, and a brilliant chance to try out new ideas out and grow in confidence. Kathryn is very encouraging, and gives detailed feedback which is so valuable in learning how to improve or adjust your teaching method/activities. Days are sometimes long; some evenings you'll spend a couple hours preparing for your teacher practices, but this is really worth it in terms of feeling equipped and understanding how to lesson plan. If you put in the effort, you’ll learn lots and find yourself quickly growing in confidence and teaching ability! After my TEFL course I was employed, with Kathryn's assistance, by a nearby International school on the island. It was a brilliant and unique experience that I look back on with many fond memories. Kathryn was always willing to give support when needed which was appreciated. The knowledge and experience I took away from my time with Samui TEFL was so useful, and quickly implemented in my teaching employment. It was always helpful to look over my course notes to get fresh ideas and inspiration for my classes.

I am now teaching in Italy. It has been great to be able to refer back to my Samui TEFL experience and ideas. The TEFL teaching adventure continues for me in a new part of the world and I am absolutely loving it! All thanks to Kathryn and Rosanne for all they invested in their program, and for giving me the tools and confidence to make TEFL teaching a longer term career than I originally planned on! TEFL teaching is truly a fantastic opportunity that opens doors worldwide; and with Kathryn's continued assistance and my Samui TEFL resources it has been an easy and wonderful journey!

If you are considering doing a TEFL and not sure where.... go to Samui TEFL! It really exceeded all my expectations and opened doors I couldn't have imagined. Living on Koh Samui itself is a unique and fantastic experience. You’ll meet some amazing people and create some unforgettable memories in a beautiful part of the world :) I also recommend staying at T-Phat Phink hotel which Samui TEFL offers at a discounted rate. It’s clean, comfortable, and the owner Joy does her absolute best to make you feel at home and always at hand for any issue you might have!

Doing the Samui TEFL course broadened not only my intellectual horizons but also my sense of adventure and my love for teaching! Kathryn really helped boost my confidence whilst teaching and gave an excellent recommendation for me, which ultimately got me into the school I wanted to get into, and is working at currently. Samui TEFL has allowed me to live and work on a paradise island and aided me with all the tools necessary to do so. It’s a dream come true! Our 4-week, 120-hour intensive TEFL course covers every aspect of EFL teaching, with a strong emphasis on practical training. All theory is learnt face-to-face, which means that you have a tutor on hand to answer any questions and assist with lesson planning. Ashleigh, as well as Kathryn was extremely helpful and made the entire process as comfortable as it could be. By the end of the course, you'll be confident to teach in the real world, from lesson planning to how to handle a class of 30 odd kids and taught excellent classroom management skills. This course has predominantly taught me how to deliver fun, interactive and inspirational classes, appropriate to the students' ages and abilities.
The course covers English for special purposes and the practical training will be done in a real school environment. As well as what I’ve mentioned, you get to go on an island tour with your course mates the first weekend! You also get tones of help with finding work and updating your cv. So Samui TEFL, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

I did my Samui Tefl course in 2013 and I have not looked back since..... I used to read a lot of reviews that started just like mine and I thought to myself "yeah right".... but I stand totally 100% corrected all of my doubts gone... yes you have to work hard but with the help and support I received whilst undertaking and even 4 years later from Samui Tefl speaks volumes. I was the oldest candidate on my course but I was always made to feel relaxed and the course facilitator was always on hand to answer the smallest question or calm your nerves before a teacher practice... after completing my course all candidates on my course found work within Asia and all went on to complete successful Tefl teacher jobs before either going home or continuing their journey..... as for me well I left Thailand 1 year ago and now I am a successful Tefl teacher in Cambodia ....

When I decided to leave the corporate world to teach English in Asia, I knew it would be a challenge. What I didn't realize was how exciting and rewarding it would be as well.

I don't even know where to begin when talking about Samui TEFL. From the word "go", they were right on top of everything. When I sent my initial inquiry, I expected to wait a day or two. I had sent my inquiry on a Friday night, Saturday morning for Koh Samui. Within an hour, Rosanne had sent me an email with an introduction to the course. Attached was the answer to everything I could possibly think of that needed answered. Of course, being the person I am, I thought of other questions. Every question was answered quickly and professionally.

When I was trying to select a TEFL company to train with, I had set up a criteria list. Included in that list was: a challenging curriculum, a professional staff, experienced instructors, good support staff, and job placement. I also wanted to see reviews. I believe the best judge of a program is someone who has "been there, done that".

Challenging is not the word for this program. I could tell from day one that Kathryn (instructor) had a firm grasp on not just the English (especially grammar) language, but on what we needed to learn to be successful in the classroom. I am not just talking about Thailand. I am talking about ANY classroom where we may teach English as a foreign language. From Kathryn's teaching a segment in Italian, to spending extra time on a particular subject...Kathryn was there!

No good course can be successful without good back of the house support. Once again, Samui TEFL came through like a champ. The first day, we were introduced to Ashleigh. She is another great player on the Samui TEFL team. She pulled our CV (resume) and started working on each one individually. Ashleigh took the time to restructure and set them in a way that prospective employers could see the information they needed. She also coordinated with a local agent to talk to us about teaching in Thailand. It was a good conversation, as he wasn't selling his services. He answered questions about teaching in Thailand and what to expect. Ashleigh (like Kathryn) worked odd hours to support the class as was needed.

All three constantly checked with members of my class to make sure that we were getting the training we needed. They also supported those of us that were seeking employment. By the time week three rolled around, I had 6 solid job offers. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, as all had merit. Ashleigh was a great behind the scenes advisor. She took me aside and said, "quit looking for more jobs and choose one". I took her advice and quit looking at ajarn.com. I chose a direction to go and that is where I am.

I could keep writing stories about how the training was "dead-on" at Samui TEFL. From how Thai students would respond to us, to how fellow Thai teachers may be, they were right. The classroom control points were invaluable. The staff spoke to us extensively about what it was like to teach in Thailand.

Before I arrived at Samui TEFL, I knew where I was staying. A driver was sent to pick me up at the airport and take me to the hotel. The Samui TEFL know the local area VERY well. They know the places to see, the restaurants to eat at, the beaches, and the other islands. If they don't know the answer, they find out.

I completed my course in November, 2016. I waited to write my review, as I wanted to see how my skills match those who are teaching now. Before this course, I had never taught in a elementary school. I now teach 4-5 grade math/science. I also do private tutoring. I tutor 3 first graders. The owner of the school has asked me if I have time to do a class for some second graders. It would seem that the parents' of two of the first graders want me to take on their older children and had said something to their friends. The rate I am paid is higher then the standard rate paid for tutoring in this area. I attribute that to the style of teaching I use. Presentation-Practice-Production, A/B sticks, Drilling procedure, activities, hands on activities, and even lexis substitution. If you know these terms...you have been to Samui TEFL!

Oh and BTW....you stay in a tropical paradise for class!!

When looking for a top notch TEFL course in Thailand there's no other program in the country that competes with Samui TEFL. Kathryn is the consummate professional; she doesn't pull punches, preferring instead to prepare students for the workloads that they will encounter; she expects effort and adherence to her methods, which focus on a high energy, totally engaging teaching style that keeps students too busy to be distracted and disruptive at the same time that they learn a well organized lesson. This is not a course for the casual-minded individual who says he/she wants to teach when he/she means travel. It's real work. That said, if you're willing to work then it's the best practice and prep you can hope for. Kathryn and Roseanne introduced our class to an agent (of which they have access to a whole network) who set me and three friends I met at Samui TEFL up with jobs in a great school just outside of Bangkok. After more than a month working as a new teacher I'm amazed at how much I continue to refer to my Samui TEFL material for inspiration, ideas, and teaching tips. Kathryn's style definitely influenced my approach to teaching - fast paced, high energy, and fun - and she remains a valuable resource months after the program.

Add to that the fact that you get to spend a month on one of the nicest islands in Thailand, set up in a comfortable hotel right on the beach just a few blocks from the TEFL center. There's plenty to do and explore in Choeng Mon and the greater island depending on how adventurous you are. The program's size means you won't lack for attention or feedback and more than likely you will make friends that you enjoy traveling with.

Overall, the program was a wonderful experience that set me up well for every subsequent venture I've undertaken in Thailand. I think that Samui TEFL will continue to serve me well in the future and nearly everyone who I graduated the course with agrees. If you want more information on traveling in Thailand, various hurdles that foreign teachers need to jump through and what to expect in a place that promises no standardized method for doing things, check out collierconnell.weebly.com for more info and feel free to contact me with questions.

I loved my experience with Kathryn and Ashleigh at Samui TEFL! After graduating from University and then working for a year in an office, I realized that wasn't what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. I had a strong urge to travel, but wanted to be doing something meaningful while traveling as well. A friend had told me about a few online TEFL courses, but after doing a bit of research, I found that the in-person courses tend to be much more effective. Samui TEFL confirmed this 100%!

Not only was I able to live on a beautiful (and super fun) island for four weeks with some AMAZING classmates and friends, but I was also able to learn more about teaching English than I ever thought I would in just 4 weeks. The course is incredibly intense but I listened to Kathryn and stayed on top of all my tasks, so it went just fine! Kathryn refreshed us on grammar while showing us helpful teaching techniques at the same time. She ensured that I was fully prepared before I went into all of my different teaching pracs. I felt a bit nervous going into them, but once I was in front of the class and applying the advice that Kathryn gave me, I felt so comfortable.

Throughout the course, Ashleigh and Kathryn were so helpful when it came to assisting me in finding a job. I ended up traveling for a few weeks rather than working right away, but now that I am planning on working in the next few weeks, they have reached out and given me all the resources I need for finding a job!

Overall, I HIGHLY suggest this course for individuals of any age and any background - you will not regret it! Thank you Kathryn and Ashleigh for a great experience.