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

Samui TEFL review

Deciding to do the Samui TEFL course was one of the best decisions I have ever made. Around two months before the course was due to start I was unsure of my plans for the year, knowing only that I wanted to travel and teach. As I was going through all of my options I decided to email Rosanne and ask her about some of the concerns that I had over living in Thailand, the teaching atmosphere there, the possibility of getting a job, and how easy or difficult it would be to get a visa and then later, a work permit. She responded immediately and with an overwhelming wealth of information. She answered all of my questions and on top of that sent me pictures and links all about Koh Samui in particular and Thailand in general. I was sold. From then on out she remained a constant source of comfort, reassuring me at every turn and helping me with any small question or concern.

When I arrived in Bangkok there was somebody waiting for me at my gate (arranged by Rosanne). He took me to my connecting flight to Koh Samui, and when I arrived on the island I was met by a taxi driver who took me straight to my hotel, T Phak Phink (my accommodation had also been arranged by Rosanne in advance of my arrival). And so my wonderful adventure began. From before I even arrived in Thailand I felt that I would be well looked after, and Rosanne went above and beyond expectations. After my first day of class I was blown away by Katherine’s unrelenting energy and enthusiasm, and the genuine care that she showed each and every one of us. She continued to amaze throughout the course- she literally thinks of everything and gives of her time so willingly. She cares about every one of her students and will go out of her way to help you out or to reassure you.

I have been teaching in a school in Thailand now for a month (a job that Rosanne helped me to find and secure) and I am thankful every day for the Samui TEFL course. I feel more than prepared for every single classroom situation and I do not find it in the least bit daunting walking into a classroom and finding myself faced by 50 expectant and eager faces every day. I know that this entirely due to Katherine and Rosanne’s expert guidance and assistance.

My advice to anyone thinking about doing their TEFL course on Koh Samui- do it. If you are willing to put in some hard work, collaborate with partners, and enter a classroom with energy and joy then you will be well served doing Katherine and Rosanne’s course. This is by no means a relaxed holiday on the beach, you will put in many many hours, but what you get out of the experience will be priceless. In my month on Koh Samui I met friends who I will treasure and love for life, I learned about myself, I learned about Thailand, I learned about respect, and I learned a value for education that I am passionate about passing on to my students. So, work hard, study for your tests, stay in T Phak Phink and chat to Joy every day, grab a cocktail at Rakk and Meena’s, eat fruit on the beach, make wonderful friends, rent a scooter for the day and get lost- trust me, you’ll find that you’re exactly where you need to be.

I signed up for this TEFL course hoping it would inspire me to start a career in teaching, and it has certainly done that!

I hadn't done any research into other TEFL courses, I trusted a friend who picked this one, and I'm so glad I did. Kathryn is an engaging and enthusiastic teacher, you can really tell she wants you to do your best. Rosanne is a great support and full of really useful information, whether it be about where to eat on the island, or helping to create the perfect resume to get you hired straight away.

I'm now working in a beautiful school in Chachoengsao teaching K2 kids (5 year olds). In true Thai style I was thrown straight into teaching my 30 kids with no induction, and I really would have struggled without everything I learnt at Samui TEFL. But with all the knowledge and confidence I had gained from the course and my course mates, I felt happy to go ahead and teach straight away.

There's no denying that it gets stressful at times, but help each other and what you put in is what you'll get out!! I had the best month with Samui TEFL and I would do it 100 times over if I could!

Thank you so much Kathryn and Rosanne!!!

Samui TEFL was such a great experience! I learned so much, and made so many new lifelong friends. The course was a lot of work, and weekdays were usually spent studying and/or preparing for a TP (teaching practice). However, the time spent working and studying wasn't bad because most people worked together. Our group would put on a youtube playlist, get snacks & socialize....I mean study! :P But really, to survive this course you just have to be a good team member & get work done, study what you don't know, help others, and ask others for help.

The most important thing though! Get to know the people on your course! It's pretty easy when you're working 8+ hours together 5 days a week! Soon, your group of classmates become your Samui family. This is such a great opportunity to meet people from all over the world. I'm so fortunate now to have so many friends teaching around Thailand! :)

Rosanne and Kathryn are such great instructors and mentors. The classes were well organised and interesting. The grammar section was tough, but Kathryn explained it very well. She also did a lesson in Italian which was awesome. You got to see a foreign language lesson from the student's perspective. Rosanne helped find legit agencies and jobs in Thailand. Both, Rosanne and Kathryn, gave useful feedback after the TPs so we could improve next time. They are also great people in general. I know that I can always ask for advice from them.

Next week I start teaching lessons at my new school. I feel prepared because of Samui TEFL.

I'm so glad that I took the Samui TEFL course!

PHOTO: The view from the computer room!

TIPS:
- If you have a laptop bring it. There are only 2 computers in the computer room & are only available to 6pm M-F.

FOOD TIPS:
- Get fresh coconuts everyday! They are so yummy! :P
- Get Massaman Curry from the Post Office. It's the best! Rosanne and Kathryn can tell you where it is.
- Look for the coffee stand on the way to the classroom (it's green) & get some iced milk tea! So sweet and good!

My boyfriend and I began searching for TEFL courses a few months back. The one that kept springing to mind was Samui TEFL! With its glittering reviews, this was the course for us...and it did not disappoint. In fact, it exceeded our expectations.
I had already done my PGCE in England, but I found that this was extremely useful when doing my TEFL. It really helped me to refresh and use my previous knowledge and experience in a different way. Everything seemed to make sense now! In some ways, the course taught me more in a month than I learnt during my teacher training!
Don't get me wrong, the course is intense and hard work, but the rewards are great. After the first day, my boyfriend especially, was feeling very overwhelmed. However, the amazing support and encouragement that we received from Kathryn, our course instructor, was incredible. She is an amazing teacher, one of those that you'll always remember! By the end of day 2, my boyfriend was fully reassured and back on track.
As well as that, Kathryn and Roseanne are the ultimate TEFL Masters - if you have any questions, they have all the answers. They are also very helpful and friendly, they will assist you in any way that they can, whenever they can.
Another big advantage of this course is that you get to do your teacher pracs in actual Thai schools with actual Thai students. You also teach a wide range of ages, from kindergarten to adults. The practices are extremely useful and have proven to be invaluable when you get a job (as we've found out as we're now working near Krabi)
If you're still unsure about the course because you're nervous, or because you think that with your PGCE, it won't be useful...don't be. You get to live on a beautiful island, make friends for life (missing everyone already), and are taught by the world's best TEFL Masters! What more could you wish for?
Thankyou so much Kathryn and Roseanne for giving us an unforgettable, life changing experience, and for being the awesome individuals that you are :-)

I came from way overseas (Trinidad & Tobago) to do this course, and I could not be more satisfied. Of course, it was a huge decision, but all questions and concerns were responded to honestly and promptly by Rosanne, making the decision to attend an easy one.

The classroom and suggested accommodations were clean and well-kept, and certainly encouraged a learning environment. There was a nice mix of theory and practice, with hours of teaching real Thai students from Kindergarten to Adult levels.

Kathryn is just amazing in the amount that she knows and is perhaps the best teacher to whom I have ever been exposed. Not only is she knowledgeable and adept at sharing that knowledge, she and Rosanne are also kind and helpful both in and out of the classroom. They were eager to ensure that we maximised the course; as well as all that the popular touristy island of Koh Samui had to offer.

In the second week, we began getting prepared and advised on applying for jobs, and all persons interested in getting hired had several positions available to choose from before the course was even completed.

We all became such a close-knit class, worked and played hard together, and made some friendships that I am sure will last forever.

It was an amazing journey, great teaching, wonderful fun, hard work, but definitely worth it as I am sure that we are as prepared as we can be for the world of TEFL teaching.

If you're interested in TEFL, DEFINITELY do this course!!

Deciding to teach in Thailand was a big life choice I never thought I would have the courage to make.
Sleepless nights and endless anxiety before I left my home country of South Africa to come to Thailand and do my TEFL course through Samui TEFL.
The best thing I could have done for my life.
Rosanne and Kathryn run an extremely professional course that instilled so much confidence in me to become and English teacher.
It was an absolute blast and they even give you the opportunity to teach with Thai students in real Thai schools and part of your practical work.
Stressful? Yes and no.
It's all just so worth every cent and Samui TEFL will be my only recommendation as long as it's run by Rosanne and Kathryn.
Finding a good job was a breeze and myself and my partner (we did the course together) are settling comfortably in our new home in the province of Kamphaeng Phet.
Thank you Samui TEFL for being so professional and friendly and for teaching us all your little neat tricks on how to be a fantastic teacher.

Samui TEFL truly exceeded all of my expectations! After completion of the course I could confidently say that I was ready to teach and manage my own classroom full of students. The guidance you receive from both, Rosanne and Kathryn, is second to none. Not only do you leave the course fully equipped to take on a classroom of non English speaking children, but you leave after having one of the best experiences of your life! The friends that I made, and the people I met, will always be remembered.

It truly was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone!

Thank you Kathryn and Rosanne.

If you're looking to enroll in the most legit TEFL course and gain employment shortly after then Samui TEFL is certainly the way to go! Never have I gained so much knowledge in such a short amount of time. The course instructors, Kathryn and Rosanne, are such amazing people and are so helpful both in and out of class. The course is so well organized and prepares you to be in front of a live classroom setting in just a matter of weeks. It's certainly not a course to take lightly though and it requires a lot of time and effort put in with your classmates, but that's what you're there for, to be a sponge and absorb as much knowledge as possible! Even so, you still have plenty of time to explore and enjoy the island with all of your new friends from class. Truthfully, my time spent at Samui TEFL was one of the greatest experiences of my life I kid you not. The friends I made and the knowledge I gained was such a breath of fresh air! Currently, I am happily employed here in Samui thanks to Kathryn and Rosanne and I'm having the time of my life!! Thank you Samui TEFL...10/10!!!!

Before you decide to take any TEFL course, you need to ask yourself a few questions, do a proper research and make sure you are choosing the right course to tailor your needs and to receive a proper guidance and support from your teachers , throughout the course as well as after the course is completed .
Well I did my homework and Samui TEFL kept coming up on top . I talked online to few people who have completed it ,including my cousin in the USA and everyone was singing praises about this particular course,which piqued my interest . So the decision was made and I booked my ticket .
Prior to my arrival to Thailand , I communicated with Rosanne Turner who was most helpful and very prompt answering all my questions and enquires. Every email I sent was answered right away and she left me in no doubt I chose well. She was extremely informative and provided all the details of the course so I felt very comfortable and at ease . She was always willing to guide and offer valuable advice throughout the full 4 weeks of our course.
Our teacher Kathryn Webb was one of the best teachers I have ever come across ,if not THE best . She is very knowledgeable and she turned every class into fun learning experience . It's not an easy task to teach grammar or to teach adults full stop , but she explained everything to us very clearly and her classes were extremely well structured and super organised . We were all looking forward to seeing her in the class every morning because of her jovial personality and great teaching methods . Anything we needed to work on or help with , she would give us a gentle nudge and point us in the right direction which proved to be very useful when it came to our teaching practices . I think the world needs more amazing teachers like Kathryn ! :)
I will be taking all that I learnt on Samui TEFL course with me and implement it into my one-on-one teaching back in the UK before I am back in Thailand next year to teach here. Rosanne and Kathryn continue to be helpful and supportive and I know I can always turn to them for any help i might need in the future regarding my teaching,
All in all, it has been an amazing experience and wonderful month of learning . The best decision I could have made . If you are thinking about doing TEFL course , this is definitely THE one.
Thank you , Kathryn and Rosanne for all that you taught me and for all your help and support .

Taking the TEFL Koh Samui course was one of the best decisions I have made thus far! The course was a great stepping stone into the rewarding career of teaching English. During the course, we were taught all the necessary tools (teaching techniques, classroom management, lesson planning, proper grammar) to be a great teacher. I cannot commend Kathryn and Rosanne enough on their efforts and overall success with this course; they really go above and beyond to ensure your time on Koh Samui and during the course is enjoyable and beneficial! I'm sure I can speak for most when I say, I do not regret taking this specific TEFL and would recommend it to anyone looking to moving into a future of teaching English!

I am currently working outside of Bangkok, and loving every second of it. Being front of classroom full of Thai children is one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had yet! The moment you step in front of them, you are immediately glorified and seen as a role model; they just fall in love with you. And in my case, I fell in love with them too. I may be teaching them, but they are teaching me as well. Through this experience, I am learning about the culture and how differently Thai children are raised and taught, a very liberating experience!

All in all, I would highly recommend taking this course if this is a path you are interested in. There may be times where it becomes exhausting and curve balls are thrown your way, but the TEFL course prepares you for certain situations. As a kindergarten teacher with 35 children, I get curve balls thrown at me regularly, but always refer back to lessons and ideas that I have learned on the course when in a bind.

Thank you Kathryn and Rosanne for all your help!

TEFL Koh Samui teaching school has really met all my expectations and so much more, not just does this course help you find your feet in teaching but being taught and guided by the right people Kathryn Webb and Rosanne Turner is with out a doubt one of the best choices I have ever made. From day one they have the best choices at heart for you and helps you even after the course is done keeping in contact with the students. This course by far is an experience on its own,run by the teachers.
I would recommend this course to any one I know, because I know this course will not just change you in seeing different cultures but this course will change your future.
We take gambles in life with the choices we make, and I would always bet on Koh Samui TEFL Rosanne and Kathryn. Everyday you walk out with more knowledge then the previous day and you become more confident.
Thank you Rosanne and Kathryn.

An impulse decision to sign up for Samui TEFL turned into one of the most incredible experiences!

The course is action packed and offers so much. We were armed with teaching techniques, classroom management skills, lesson planning and English Fundamentals (I definitely needed a refresher). This made stepping into a classroom a lot less daunting, and with the constant support I never felt unprepared.

I can't commend Kathryn and Rosanne highly enough! They are so encouraging and the TEFL lessons are both challenging and engaging. We had many opportunities to practice teaching with students of all ages. One of my favourite aspects of the course is how much it includes about Thai culture and language in order to help us overcome potential barriers with teaching English.

Overall this course is a great opportunity for anyone wanting to become a ESL teacher or looking to learn something new, make new friends, and explore a beautiful island with the friendliest locals.

Studying abroad.

Years come and years go. Time blows your hair back when you sit in quiet reflection and contemplate your dreams and your journeys. Realisation creeps in like the cold North wind creeps into your bones.

About a year and a half ago, I found myself having a few of these reflective moments, not by choice, but by Universal strategy. It was like the Universe (which I understand to be my higher self) conspired against my perception.

I had just moved to a new country, for love. Everything was marvellous, except for the fact that I couldn't find a job. The worst thing was, that I couldn't find a job because I couldn't speak the native language of the country I had moved to.
The plus side was that I finally managed to do everything I never the had time to do. I attacked my hobbies, art, dancing, exploring and everything else I never thought I would do. This was great and all, but somewhere along the line you need that piece of paper we all receive in exchange for our time and effort.
One morning whilst I was having another late pyjama/yoga morning I found myself in pigeon pose feeling rather despondent.
All my life I had been an independent workaholic. Now I was stuck at home in a new country, with nothing to do. How unsettling!
I Yin posed it out until I found the right question. What do you really want to do with your life? What is your career dream?
I pigeon posed the other leg for an answer… Nothing.
It was then in strong bandha downward facing dog where the idea entered my being like a Universal electric shock.
They say, that when you die, your life flashes in front of your eyes. When I rolled over and surrendered into corpse pose, my ignored dreams flashed in front of me like a movie.

I always wanted to teach English. I have always deeply loved the language.

It was a dream I had already put off for 10 years by then.
The funny thing is that I had saved the information about the TEFL course all those years. It's something that always found me somehow, I just never had the time or money to pursue it.

I got up at that point grabbed the inspiration by the hand and ran to my PC.
I researched, pulled up all the information and compared notes and courses.
There was so much room for activity. So many possibilities. I was thrilled.
That evening I laid out all the information on the dinner table. My confused husband sat quietly and listened to me. Once I had pitched my idea, he patiently smiled and with full support worked out the best option for me.
My choice was simple. If I was going to be an English language teacher, I wanted to have as much experience as possible. I wanted to experience another culture. I wanted to explore phonetic challenges and solutions, and a change of scenery was absolutely necessary for focus. ;)

Destination: Koh Samui, Thailand. TEFL course, September.

I contacted TEFL, Koh Samui. Rosanne Turner was absolutely amazing. She was so helpful and incredibly thorough with all the information. Even though I was getting on an aeroplane, all on my own and embarking on a journey to a place I had never been to, for 4 weeks, I felt at ease because of the detailed information and support.

Upon arrival, I felt like an adventurer on a fascinating journey. Especially considering that I arrived empty handed as my luggage got lost in Bankok.
It was warm and messy and the locals were so friendly and full of peace.
I arrived at my bungalow which was also organised by Rosanne. It was comfortably situated across the street from the school. How convenient. It had air-conditioning, wooden floors, bugs, frogs, birds, a wildish garden with beautiful flowers and a very helpful owner. It was perfect.

The next day I arrived for the first day of the course. We met our mentor Kathryn Webb.
From the very beginning, this woman blew my mind. She is a fountain of knowledge and inspiration. Her crystal blue eyes put you in your place, but her kindness and professionalism are in perfect balance with her easy going island vibe. There was honestly not one day where I felt that I couldn't ask her anything. She was very supportive and intensely thorough within this super intensive course. When I say that this course was intensive, I really mean it. It's a lot of information and a lot of hard work. The thing is, however when you love what you're doing and you're working towards a dream, the work becomes a dance, and as you know, dancing can make your feet hurt from time to time. I loved every minute of it.

This journey was truly full of surprises, challenges and so much more. Most people do something like this to travel or to meet new people etc. I showed up with only one thing in mind, and that was to learn, expectation was not on my list. What I experienced in return was connection, not only with amazing people but connection with myself, my dreams and connection with a magical island called Koh Samui.

I would recommend it to anyone.

Point your perception towards your dreams. What are your needs?
Live them and be inspired.

I am so happy that of all the courses I could have chosen I picked this one.

The course isn't easy. You'll spend many of your sunny afternoons making lesson plans instead of on the beach. You'll spend many evenings studying or practicing instead of being at that local dive bar you love. The course isn't really made to be a "blow off" course to just obtain a piece of paper. It's designed to educate you on how to be a great teacher in another country. The course covers way more than I ever could have imagined and really prepared me to be on my own.

You'll have several teaching practices where you and a partner totally plan and execute a lesson at a local school. Thai kids will immediately adore you and it's quite rewarding. These give you real, hands-on experience that is invaluable to learning how to improve your teaching skills.

Kathryn and Rosanne are absolutely wonderful. You'll be blessed to have Kathryn as your instructor! She has so much experience and really knows what she's talking about. She helps you with anything you may need help with during the course. She'll challenge you and you'll be grateful for it! Rosanne is equally as wonderful and helpful. She, too, has many years of experience and gives very helpful feedback. She is a huge help and goes out of her way to help you connect to schools and people to find a job.

I'd suggest spending some free time, even if it's just a lunch break, with your classmates. You'll find you're surrounded by some amazing like-minded people. It really makes the whole experience that much better.

The course is amazing and I would recommend it 100% to anyone thinking of taking a TEFL course. It will well prepare you for a TEFL career as it has me!

This course is life changing. When I first got to Koh Samui I was so nervous and excited about my new journey. After meeting everyone you bond and pretty much become a family.The first week is intense and trust me when I say this is the best. You start teaching pracs the next week and it is so much better knowing everything than just bits. Teaching pracs are so much fun and you fall in love wth the school and the students. Having Kathryn as your lecturer you know your work and she is there whenever you need her. It's not all work and no play , you have some down time and this is spent on the beach and with friends. I would recommend this course to anyone. having previously done a TEFL I feel 100 times more ready to take on teaching and changing lives after this course. The hands on method really does make such a difference. If you aren't sure where to do your Tefl I recommend this course , you won't regret it.