Supported from the very beginning

My experience on the Thailand TEFL programme with The TEFL Institute of Ireland has genuinely been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. From the very beginning, the support, structure, and guidance made the whole process feel manageable and not overwhelming, especially as someone moving abroad alone.

The 120 hour TEFL course itself was a huge part of that. The course was very practical and realistic. It covered everything from lesson planning, classroom management, student engagement, teaching methodology, grammar, pronunciation, and classroom structure. It also focused a lot on how to manage different learning levels in one classroom, how to keep students engaged, and how to structure lessons in a way that actually works in real life, not just on paper. As someone with no teaching background, this made a massive difference for me.

It didn’t just tell me how to teach English, it taught me how to manage a classroom, how to communicate clearly, how to build confidence as a teacher, and how to handle real classroom situations. When I arrived in Thailand and stepped into my first classroom, I wasn’t confident because I “knew everything”, but I was confident because I had a foundation to work from. I understood lesson structure, behaviour management, pacing, and how to adapt when things didn’t go exactly to plan. That preparation made the transition into teaching abroad feel far less intimidating and far more manageable.

The Thailand internship itself was incredibly well organised, from the orientation week in Bangkok to school placement and ongoing support. I’ve been teaching M1 and M2 students (ages 12 to 14), living in a local area outside of tourist zones, and experiencing real Thai daily life rather than just a tourist version of the country. The cost of living has been very affordable, the salary is more than enough to live comfortably, and saving money is completely possible if that’s a goal.

The friendships I’ve made with other teachers and the kindness of the local Thai community have been a huge part of my experience. I’ve built a real life here, not just a temporary stay. Teaching in Thailand has helped me grow in confidence, independence, and self belief in ways I never expected.

I received a full support system from the TEFL team, especially Lisa who helped me with getting prepared for my Thailand adventure. The team have made teaching abroad feel accessible, achievable, and exciting rather than intimidating. I couldn’t recommend The TEFL Institute of Ireland enough to anyone even remotely considering teaching abroad.