Program Reviews

After a few months of research, my boyfriend and I decided to enroll in the Samui TEFL 4-week 120-hour intensive course. The decision quickly became a no brainer - prime location, comparatively low cost, quick and detailed responses to any emails we sent in the months preceding our arrival (and there were a lot - thanks Rosanne!), and assistance with anything from transport to housing on arrival.

The course is not difficult, but it's definitely not easy. You can get as much or as little out of it as you wish, but know that the amount of time, effort, and energy put in (both in and out of the classroom) is reflected not only in your grades/feedback, but in your job placement as you complete the course.

The teacher practices are probably the most useful part of the course, as they are the most hands on and an excellent opportunity to gain the confidence and experience needed to step into the world of teaching English as a second language.

Kathryn is lovely - absolutely wonderful. She teaches you what you need to know and provides you with the techniques and experiences that let you sore from TEFL student to confident ESL teacher, ready to take on any teaching position, if you so choose. Thanks to Kathryn's encouragement and eagerness to help her students, my boyfriend and I were set up with (amazing) teaching positions before the course was even over.

Moral of the story, Samui TEFL is the way to go!

Had a great time on this course and learned a lot! Kathryn and Rosanne are fantastic- they help you get on your feet in Thailand. They both provide great support, and Kathryn taught us way more than we thought we could learn in a 4 week period.

The hands on experience with the schools really prepare you for the real thing, and the support doesn't end once you graduate. Kathryn keeps In touch, checks how we're doing and always offers guidance and any additional support we may need.
I'd highly recommend the course. It's more than just a classroom!

There was so much to learn during my four weeks at Samui TEFL but I believe that the intense training prepares you well for teaching in a Thai school. Sometimes I was planning for two or three lessons as well as revising for tests and job hunting near the end. Organisational skills are very important and the sooner a task is finished the sooner you can move on to the next one.

I taught 8 hour lessons with a partner in a nursery, primary, and adults in an international school. The way a nursery or primary lesson is taught is very different to how adults are taught and this knowledge is very useful in helping you decide which age you would like to teach.

The time during the course went very quickly and before I knew it it was the end of the course. Kathryn is an excellent and very helpful teacher, she will explain things in different ways and many times if needed to ensure that the students understand the concept or topic.

It would have been great to have more teaching experience at a secondary school and at a resort too, however understandably 4 weeks is not a very long time to cover all age groups.

There are laptops and printers on site, however it would be very useful to bring your own, as if you need to do lesson plans in the evening the centre will not be open.

Kathryn and Rosanne also have very good relationships with schools all over Thailand so the chances of you finding a job is very high if you are willing to put in the effort and do well in the practicals and theory side of the course.

Koh Samui is an excellent place to do your course as you are just minutes away from the amazing beaches and there are lots to see and do! It also gives you the opportunity to meet amazing people from all over the world!

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is looking to become an English teacher in Southeast Asia. From the moment I got in touch with Rosanne, her response was almost immediate. She answered all my questions and provided me with all the information I needed. The school will put everything in place for you before you even arrive on the island to make your transition as smooth as possible.

The course itself is brilliantly run and it will give you all the skills you need to be a successful teacher. Katherine’s experience really shows and her methods of teaching are excellent. You will be provided with all the tools you need to create fun and exciting lessons for all age groups. The practical experience you will gain from doing this course will benefit you hugely in the long run.

I would recommend to anyone doing the course to bring a laptop as it will make life so much easier when it comes to lesson planning, and you will more than likely need one when you start working.

I met some fantastic people on the course who I am now working with in Bangkok and this is all thanks to Samui TEFL! I would like to say a big thank you to Katherine and Rosanne for making the whole experience so enjoyable and worthwhile

Choosing to do your TEFL course with Samui TEFL will be one of the best decisions of your life. From the time you send your first email, to graduation and even after that, Rosanne and Kathryn are there to help you.

Rosanne does a great job of providing you with all the necessary information before arriving on Koh Samui and even helps with booking accommodation, as well as transport once you arrive. If you have any questions regarding the course or the island, don't hesitate to ask her. She also helps you with your job search and is a good resource for any travel related Thailand questions you may have.

The course itself can be a bit intense at times, especially during the first week. However, it is very well organized and you are known what's expected of you from the start. The first lesson plan may seem stressful, but I promise it gets better. You'll have help from your classmates too, as the teaching practices are done in pairs. The more creative you get, the funner your lessons will be. The Thai children absolutely love it when you bring new activities to the classroom, so don't be afraid to create something new.

Kathryn, the trainer, is extremely knowledgeable and fun! She wants you to understand the material and she will do whatever it takes to make sure you do. Grammar is definitely not my strong suit and we reviewed it many times before it started to sink in. She's also super helpful when it comes to lesson planning, and a great motivator before all of your teacher practices.

Choeng Mon is a perfect location for the course. Many restaurants and shops are only a short walk away from the school. It's quiet and relaxing during the day with just the right amount of night life at night. If it's not crazy enough for you, Chaweng is only a cheap songthaew away.

I would highly recommend this course to any individual that is looking to teach English as a foreign language. I promise you won't be disappointed!

From the moment you show an interest in the course Rosanne is there to help you through every step, including finding accommodation and answering those random questions.
The island is just beautiful and a fantastic location for the course (far better than an online course).
The course itself is fantastically run, Kathryn, the teacher is extremely knowledgeable and will not continue onto the next area of study unless the whole class has understood fully. It covers everything you could need to know to get started as a successful TEFL teacher, all you have to do is take the advice on board. The practicals were held at a local primary school where the children just loved having their English lessons taught by the TEFLers. You also have a chance to teach some adults incase that's the area you wish to go in to. You don't just get thrown into teaching alone either which I found very reassuring. After each practical you get written feedback which is in-depth and extremely helpful.

The course really is wonderful! If you're even considering it, just go for it!

I highly recommend this course to anyone looking to do a TEFL course in South East Asia. Koh Samui is a very nice island and the school is located in the rather quiet area Choeng Mon. This definintely benefits to not partying too much and hence neglecting the course ;) Kathryn is an excellent teacher and the years and years of experience definitely contribute to the high level of teaching in the course. Rosanne is extremely dedicated and helps with the job hunt, paper work, lesson planning and much more. Both of them work great as a team. The school facilities are perfect, including a students lounge, classroom and a pool. The course is a lot of work, but it definitely pays off, as it prepares sou for the world of teaching.
A big thank you to Rosanne and Kathryn for making the stay on Koh Samui so pleasant and enjoyable!

I had just moved to Thailand from the U.S and was looking to obtain a teaching position on the island. Since Samui TEFL was recommended by a reliable source who teaches here on Koh Samui, I felt more than comfortable trusting the recommendation. My confidence was further solidified once I met Kathryn, the course instructor, and Rosanne, her business partner. I was impressed by both their presence and their professionalism.

The course is four weeks long with classes held Monday through Friday from 9 am to around 3 pm. It's run out of a home in Choeng Mon from a small intimate (air-conditioned!) classroom downstairs. There's a comfortable sala to relax in during break times, a pool right out back and a kitchen for student use. It's best to bring your own computer but the course does provide computers and printers in the sala area. Accommodations with reasonable prices are available right next door.

The days were filled with lessons on grammar, teaching tips, Thai culture, demo lessons, and lesson planning for teaching practicums (done outside the course at local schools). Although you may find yourself quite busy with coursework, you can still find time to enjoy the beach and local attractions. Make sure you make an effort to do so, as there's so much to see and experience on this beautiful island.

If you're expecting this experience to be a cakewalk, you've signed up for the wrong course. You definitely earn the certification and you paid for it, so be thankful. Overall, the course exceeded my expectations. I found the instructor Kathryn had a wealth of knowledge that she was eager to share with her students, which made for a productive learning environment. It was professionally run and ultimately beneficial to my new careers as an ESL teacher. Highly recommend it!

I would highly recommend this course as a top choice for anyone looking to teach English as a foreign language. Coming from the USA, straight out of college, with a degree in political science, I had no experience teaching in an official capacity and was quite nervous about my ability to teach English to non-native speakers. Turns out there was no need to worry- Kathryn is a highly skilled and capable instructor, and through her teaching and guidance my classmates and I acquired the many skills one needs to teach ESL.

Samui TEFL is located on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, where you are never short of idyllic surroundings. There is always something to do- whether it be hiking to a waterfall, perusing the street markets, or sunbathing on the beach- and no shortage of people to meet and have fun with.

Although a month sounds like a long time, the course flies by. Before you know it you have your first teaching practicum and are in front of a class, teaching excited students who are eager to learn. In my opinion, the TP's are the most valuable aspect of the course, as they are an opportunity to apply what you have learned in a real classroom setting. After the first one, you feel much more confident about your abilities and they help in soothing some of the anxiety/nerves you may have.

Picking the right TEFL course is extremely important, and Samui TEFL is undoubtedly the only way to go.

I can highly recommend this course. Both Kathryn and Rosanne help and support you the whole way. The facilities provided are excellent and the course gives you the skills you need to be able to Teach. I had so much fun during my time at Samui TEFL. The teaching practices are great as they give you experience of what it is like in the real world. Don't be put off or concerned if you are worried about grammar. I hated grammar and by the end of my course I understood it and know how to teach it. Plus you get to study on a tropical island in Thailand! It truly is an amazing course and one that change your life and open the world up to you.