Paid Teach English in Thailand Program

My boyfriend and I went through greenheart to go to Thailand. Sara, with greenheart, was so supportive and prompt at answering all of our questions. She gave us quick feedback and helped along! Go Greenheart!

Prior to coming to Thailand, I had never traveled on my own, so I really had no idea how to approach the whole process of going abroad and searching for a job. I chose Greenheart largely because they seemed to offer a great deal of guidance in this regard, and they did not disappoint!

Their application and preparation process is simple, highly structured, and ensures that you'll have everything you need before getting on a plane (proper visas, required documents for obtaining a teaching license, newly formatted resume, arranged airport pickup, etc).

It's tough to comment on Greenheart's support once you're in-country, however, as they hand you off to their partner organization who are based in Thailand. The partner organization is the company that will be instructing you during your TESOL course, finding you a teaching placement, and providing you with in-country support. Greenheart is still available and willing to offer assistance via email, but my dealings with them were very limited after arriving in Thailand.

Despite being led by a separate company, I'll briefly comment on the TESOL course, as Greenheart assures their clients of its quality, and it is the key part of the package they are selling. The partner organization is a great company, and I had an awesome time during the TESOL course. The staff were friendly and helpful, I met some great friends, and I learned as much as I could have hoped to in only 4 weeks.

Even after the course and the English camp it was still pretty intimidating to go right into teaching my own classes only a few days later. But as I said, the course is only a month long, so don't expect to walk out as an expert teacher. The course will definitely introduce you to the fundamentals of teaching English and classroom management; but be prepared for what can be a pretty intense sort of "trial by fire" once you move onto your placement. Teaching in Thailand is truly a job that you can only learn through actual experience.

Overall, I would definitely recommend Greenheart, especially to 1st time travelers.

From the very beginning of my experience with Greenheart Travel, when I was simply reaching out for more information about their programs, to now when I am nearing the completion of my first semester teaching in Thailand -- they have gone above and beyond in terms of support and service. The team does an incredible job staying in touch and trying to make sure your time is going as smoothly as possible for the most part. They, also, do a fantastic job at making sure you're prepared and for the most part are fairly upfront with you about what to expect and not expect. I feel like the staff really does care about their program participants and it is comforting knowing that I do have a support and a connection if any issue should arise while living and working alone in Thailand.

I feel like the difficulties and challenges I have faced have been a result of the particular culture I am trying to adapt to, not necessarily connected to Greenheart Travel.

I would recommend Greenheart Travel and have.

The amount of support and continuous contact with the staff at Greenheart Travel is a refreshing breath of much needed air. My contact, Sara, is not only very knowledgable and able to answer all my questions, but she also makes sure that everyone get the individual attention that they require to make sure that their transitions overseas are as smooth as possible.

A specific example that stands out would be our ventures into the visa process and not having papers that we did not know were required. A single call to Greenheart and their associates in Thailand had the papers in our hand within 24 hours. It is not every recruiter that takes the time after hours to make sure their teachers are well cared for.

I can only speak good things about this company and I most definitely recommend them to any teacher looking to travel and expand their horizons.

Sarah Dorsey at Greenheart Travel has been a tremendous help and very encouraging to my fellow teachers. It can be somewhat stressful gathering all necessary documents and logistics and Sarah pulled everything together to make my initial jet setting smooth and painless. Through Sarah's communication via email, skype or facebook, it was clear to me that she made a fantastic effort to create a positive community of teachers abroad to ensure culture shock and change was a more enjoyable experience.

My experience so far has been incredible. I live in a small town in the most Northern part of Thailand. I eat delicious food everyday (for less than $1), I have seen a baby elephant walking through my town, and random Thai people will pick me up on their scooters and give me free rides. My students are also the sweetest and happiest kindergarteners! The worst part of my trip so far is that my apartment has no heat or hot water so my showers are freezing cold. However, I only pay 60 US dollars a month so I feel a little guilty complaining.

Some highlights of my travels so far:
- Getting to go to an elephant sanctuary
- Taking a muay thai lesson
- Exploring the night markets and eating nutella & banana rotee!
- Getting a foot fish spa and thai massage.

Some difficulties:
- Teaching in a rural village can be lonely
- Frustration with the language barrier

Greenheart as a company is excellent, they are very pleasant and helpful. The Tesol course in Hua Hin with Xplore Asia was a lot of fun and very informative, but we have had difficulties with our placement agent. They were nice, but gave us a lot of conflicting/untrue information and we had to jump through several hoops and find our own accommodation.