Samui TEFL 4-week 140-hour intensive TEFL / TESOL course

Samui Tefl. What an experience. I honestly couldn't recommend it enough. If you interested in teaching English as a foreign language, Samui Tefl is the best decision that you could make. The course is intense, and by no means four weeks of fun - you work hard, but it's totally worth it as it prepares you so well for when you get a job. Kathryn is a wonderful teacher and has a lot of experience behind her, so she has lots of tips and advice which she will happily pass on to you. As amazing as the course itself was, the best part was making lifelong friends and memories that will be treasured for a lifetime. Having a support system around you really adds to the experience of living in Thailand - and it gave us all the opportunity to travel to different locations to visit friends, that we perhaps wouldn't have been aware of otherwise. All of us found jobs no problem, and seemed to all find different types of jobs/locations which suited us as individuals. If you are considering the course, take the risk - you won't regret it!

Samui TEFL is an incredible experience for anyone involved! The course is a very good introduction to teaching and is definitely worth the price. Kathryn is a excellent resource and has loads of experience to guide you into a new career. At times the course is intense and requires hard work, but it pays off! After completing Samui TEFL I find my current teaching job to be a breeze. The lesson planning, resourcing, and teaching pracs will seem intimidating to start, however, they do more than prepare you for your first week at a real job. In addition to feeling extremely prepared to go into the world of teaching I gained an incredible group of friends. Get to know your peers during the course! I feel truly fortunate for the people I met and the relationships I created whilst on Samui for a month. After the course was over, I had friends all around Thailand and was able to travel from Bangkok to Pattaya, Hua Hin, Ayutthaya, etc and stay for free :) Samui TEFL is an experience that you will reminisce about for a life time.

Moving to another country can be exciting and daunting at the same time. I did a lot of research on the many TEFL courses in Thailand and while there are many great ones all throughout the country I am very happy I chose Samui TEFL. The support Roseanne and Kathryn gave before the course put my mind at ease prior to embarking on this new adventure and the support given during and even after the course was so helpful I cannot thank them enough. I met so many incredible people from all around the world that have become some of my closest friends. With Roseanne and Kathyrn's help I received an interview at a really lovely school on the island and was offered a position. I continually look back on the time of the TEFL course as the best month I have had in the year I have been living in this beautiful country. Thank you for the very fond memories and for helping me reach my goal of doing the TEFL- to feel comfortable in and in front of a classroom!

Each of us embark on a personal journey for purposes that either help us to remedy our current situations, or to give us a purpose for our future aspirations. When deciding where to begin my TEFL journey, I was drawn to Samui purely by the lure of the relaxed Island lifestyle, which is also complemented by beautiful beaches, climate, and a relatively low population density. I am so thankful that I made the right decision choosing Samui TEFL, and am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this course. My only regret is that I didn’t make the choice to come sooner!
Samui TEFL has given me an extremely strong foundation to begin my journey as an English Language Teacher. I have no doubt that in years to come, I will still be making references to the broad range of knowledge that I have learnt on the course. Kathryn is an extremely competent trainer, who shares her invaluable knowledge and experiences with all. This ensures trainees are made fully aware of what to expect in real Thai classrooms and language schools. Each lesson, activity, and task is meticulously planned to equip us as ‘teacher trainees’, with a ‘toolbox’ of skills and techniques that are easily transferrable to classroom situations. Nothing is without a purpose!
For myself personally, the most beneficial part of the course was going into classrooms and teaching. Essentially putting all the knowledge and skills we had acquired to use. This gives a great insight to what it will be like teaching in a Thai school. Although at first, I found even the thought of this extremely daunting, my confidence grew as I became more familiar with the course content and applications of teaching techniques. I had faith in, and knew that all the information and advice that had been given to us by Kathryn and Ashleigh, was set up in a way to ensure we would all succeed. I am still amazed that in just 4 (intense) weeks, I was able to learn so much information, and was able to develop different personal attributes.
I could go on… but in summary I am so happy with how the course panned out. Kathryn and Ashleigh are both so supportive, helpful, and knowledgeable and I couldn’t be more grateful to them both for getting me to a level where I now have belief that I can be a competent, and effective teacher. Before coming to Thailand, in one of my previous office roles, my favourite part of the job was going home, or that the chair would swing around 😂. Now I am living in Phuket, listening to Thai children who are adopting a Kiwi accent, 10 minutes from the most beautiful beaches and living my Island dream 😃
Thank you Samui TEFL

I did my TEFL last year in the end of January, honestly it was one of the best experiences. Not only was Kathryn extremely professional, but she was also an excellent teacher!!! She taught me new techniques which I still use in my classes today! Don't expect to chill during this course, no you work hard, BUT its all worth it. So when you walk into a Thai school you are ready and fully prepared! The program is situated in Choen Mong in Koh Samui, paradise is one word to describe it! We worked hard during the week and weekends got to have the island holiday! With regards to jobs, Kathryn and Rosanne helped a lot and after job hunting for a week or so my friend and I had jobs and were sorted out!

Overall everyone PLEASE do your TEFL with Samui TEFL it s worth every penny !!!

I am so grateful to have been apart of the Samui TEFL program. This class allowed me to gain essential teaching skills in order to teach English to non native English speakers while creating strong friendships I would hold with me throughout my time teaching abroad in Thailand.

When I first arrived I had no idea what to expect and was honestly quite nervous, however, from the first day of class all my nerves were settled. Through daily classes and multiple teaching demos I was able to gain real life experience and the confidence I would need to teach a class of my own.

Kathryn gave me important tools and techniques to use to be the most effective teacher I can be. She is extremely helpful, kind, knowledgeable and was a great resource while creating lesson plans of my own.

Samui TEFL laid down the foundation I would need to teach Kindergarten in Bangkok and I can't imagine trying to do it without them!

I arrived in Koh Samui not knowing what to expect from the upcoming course. 30 minutes into day 1 and I was already happy with my choice in Samui TEFL! Before my arrival I corresponded with Rosanne who was incredibly prompt with her replies and super helpful with all kinds of questions I had - TEFL related and otherwise. Kathryn is the course leader and has years and years of experience in the field; you couldn't ask for a better teacher! Ashleigh is possibly the most organised person I have ever met, she helps with organising the practicals and always has an answer to any questions.
Do not take this course if your intention is to slack off... it is very intense. You get given homework almost every day, have class tests, have to make (what seems like endless) resources and have a diary to write once a week. It sounds a lot, and it is, but you get to work as a team and have fun with it! By the end of the four weeks my group and I were very close to each other; exploring the island, going to the beach and eating out together were things we did a lot. Samui TEFL even organise an island tour on your first weekend - a great way to get to know your surroundings and your new classmates.
Teacher practicals (TPs) happen in week 2, 3 and 4. Everyone preps for the lessons together and spends time after class to make the resources. The day of your first TP is filled with nerves, but once you get into the class room the feeling is amazing and it all seems to come together. The good thing about Samui TEFL is that you have a certain amount of TPs to complete, but almost every one is with a different age group. Adults - Thai and other nationalities - and a range of children. This gives you an idea of which age group you'd prefer to teach in the future.
Samui TEFL gives you a stationary pack, folder with lots of useful paperwork inside, access to printing and resources (paint etc) and a USB that has all the documents you can ever need. Ashleigh helps you with your CV and tailors it to how a Thai employer would like it. An agent even came in to speak to us and by the end of his visit, most of us had been offered jobs. The USB has a list of agents (and ones to avoid) who work with you to get work.
If you're thinking about doing your TEFL in Thailand, Samui TEFL is the one to choose. You live in a beautiful location for 4 weeks with people who will become your close friends, and have access to amazing mentors who are happy to help with anything. The course is intense, but so worth it. Many things are included that may not be in other courses (teaching and classroom management techniques, CV help, agent access etc).

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!!