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

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!!

When looking for a top notch TEFL course in Thailand there's no other program in the country that competes with Samui TEFL. Kathryn is the consummate professional; she doesn't pull punches, preferring instead to prepare students for the workloads that they will encounter; she expects effort and adherence to her methods, which focus on a high energy, totally engaging teaching style that keeps students too busy to be distracted and disruptive at the same time that they learn a well organized lesson. This is not a course for the casual-minded individual who says he/she wants to teach when he/she means travel. It's real work. That said, if you're willing to work then it's the best practice and prep you can hope for. Kathryn and Roseanne introduced our class to an agent (of which they have access to a whole network) who set me and three friends I met at Samui TEFL up with jobs in a great school just outside of Bangkok. After more than a month working as a new teacher I'm amazed at how much I continue to refer to my Samui TEFL material for inspiration, ideas, and teaching tips. Kathryn's style definitely influenced my approach to teaching - fast paced, high energy, and fun - and she remains a valuable resource months after the program.

Add to that the fact that you get to spend a month on one of the nicest islands in Thailand, set up in a comfortable hotel right on the beach just a few blocks from the TEFL center. There's plenty to do and explore in Choeng Mon and the greater island depending on how adventurous you are. The program's size means you won't lack for attention or feedback and more than likely you will make friends that you enjoy traveling with.

Overall, the program was a wonderful experience that set me up well for every subsequent venture I've undertaken in Thailand. I think that Samui TEFL will continue to serve me well in the future and nearly everyone who I graduated the course with agrees. If you want more information on traveling in Thailand, various hurdles that foreign teachers need to jump through and what to expect in a place that promises no standardized method for doing things, check out collierconnell.weebly.com for more info and feel free to contact me with questions.

I loved my experience with Kathryn and Ashleigh at Samui TEFL! After graduating from University and then working for a year in an office, I realized that wasn't what I wanted to be doing for the rest of my life. I had a strong urge to travel, but wanted to be doing something meaningful while traveling as well. A friend had told me about a few online TEFL courses, but after doing a bit of research, I found that the in-person courses tend to be much more effective. Samui TEFL confirmed this 100%!

Not only was I able to live on a beautiful (and super fun) island for four weeks with some AMAZING classmates and friends, but I was also able to learn more about teaching English than I ever thought I would in just 4 weeks. The course is incredibly intense but I listened to Kathryn and stayed on top of all my tasks, so it went just fine! Kathryn refreshed us on grammar while showing us helpful teaching techniques at the same time. She ensured that I was fully prepared before I went into all of my different teaching pracs. I felt a bit nervous going into them, but once I was in front of the class and applying the advice that Kathryn gave me, I felt so comfortable.

Throughout the course, Ashleigh and Kathryn were so helpful when it came to assisting me in finding a job. I ended up traveling for a few weeks rather than working right away, but now that I am planning on working in the next few weeks, they have reached out and given me all the resources I need for finding a job!

Overall, I HIGHLY suggest this course for individuals of any age and any background - you will not regret it! Thank you Kathryn and Ashleigh for a great experience.

I came to Thailand in order to travel, meet new people, reignite my passion for teaching, and escape the monotony of everyday life. I was absolutely delighted when all of these things happened easily and naturally. As soon as I arrived in Koh Samui, I was greeted at the airport by Joy, a lovely woman who managed one of the hotels in which the program is affiliated. Joy drove me to the hotel and pointed out some key destinations along the way. The hotel was very clean and only cost 10,000 Baht for the month. Most people from the program stayed in the same two hotels, which was wonderful because we became instant friends and travel companions. My friends and I spent many hours working on lessons and resourcing, but during our leisure time we went to the beach, markets, restaurants, and of course, out in Chaweng. I have since travelled with several of the people in my program and intend to remain close friends with all of them. The program itself is super informative. The instructor has a ton of teaching experience and a wealth of knowledge to be shared. I was a teacher back in the states for several years, and I was surprised by how much I learned in the four short weeks. Teaching English to native Thai speakers is an incredibly different experience, and my expectations of the program were completely surpassed. The instructor also helped me secure a teaching position at a local international school. I recommend this program to anyone that has an open mind and sense of adventure. Living amongst the Thai people is an absolute privilege, and I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world.

I highly recommend taking this TEFL course on Koh Samui Island. Both Kathryn and Ashleigh go above and beyond to get you fully prepared to teach English in Thailand or in other country. I couldn't imagine trying to teach English in a foreign country before taking this course. Kathryn makes sure to use our classroom time wisely, focusing on the most important items one needs to know to be a successful teacher. She provides each student with a flash drive of resources that will jump start their teaching career and job search. After taking the course I have learned/ refreshed my grammar, learned about the Thai culture, learned how to lesson plan in the most efficient way and feel confident in front of a classroom full of students.
In addition to the course I would recommend this program because of its location. I mean it is located in PARADISE!!!! And they help set up room accommodations at a hotel a minute walk from the beach and about a 5 minute walk from the TEFL school. When I wasn't in class I had so much time to get to know the other classmates, go to the beach, scooter around the island and endulge in the Thai cuisine. During my 4 weeks on the island classmates and I traveled around the island to Temples, waterfalls, beaches and night markets. Kathryn and Ashleigh our instructor even took us on a beautiful hike one Sunday morning. (They really go above and beyond with their students). I couldn't be more pleased with my decision to take the Samui TEFL course. I highly recommend you take it as well.

Sincerely,

One Happy TEFL Certified Student -Kala