TEFL Heaven Thailand | TEFL/TESOL & Placement Program

I trained with TEFL Heaven in Koh Chang April 2014. I was well prepared by ETA as to what to do, bring and expect. I was lucky enough to be already placed and have my visa before I left New Zealand. Most people were not but that is all part of the experience and everyone got sorted in the end.

Ko Chang is a beautiful place with heaps to see and do. The accommodation was in a great location and was fine as long as you don't mind ants and lizards...if you do mind ants and lizards then don't come to Thailand. The course was hands on and practical with a little bit of theory and prepares you as well as you can be prepared to go into a Thai classroom. Our trainers were amazing and gave us so much encouragement, support and vital resources. They really went above and beyond and from what I have heard most TEFL Heaven trainers seem to be like that.

I was placed with Echo English in a fantastic school that was really organised and really cared about children's learning. To some extent this seemed the exception not the rule but it is all part of the experience. Anyone who gave teaching and adapting to a new culture their best shot and had realistic expectations had an absolute blast and a life changing experience.

As long as you are realistic, flexible and openminded you will have an incredible experience you won't forget in a hurry. TEFL Heaven is a good choice for a training provider because the course is face to face, you meet some lovely people, get eased into living a new culture in a fun and social way, they deal with a lot of the red tape and have a point of contact thought your time in Thailand.

I'm now 5 weeks into my first teaching job, and it's flown by.The 3 week training course was fun and informative, and really gave me confidence that I could be a successful teacher. Not to mention it took place in a paradise location, Krabi, surrounded by loads of lovely like-minded people! The trainers were fantastic too - I'm still friends with everyone now and we meet up every weekend.

In terms of my placement, I was lucky enough to get pretty much exactly what I wanted (teaching primary in Bangkok). That's not to say that everyone is so lucky, but I certainly have no complaints. Since finishing the training course, the experience teaching abroad team are still on hand to answer any queries that I have. One of the guys trained alongside us on Krabi and now works for them in the office, so I know I can always call him or any of the other staff there with any questions - they are very helpful.

Doing an internship has definitely been the right choice for me - not only did I get my qualification and a guaranteed job, but I've also met a great group of friends to enjoy Thailand with!

The TEFL Heaven course has provided me with some excellent experiences and knowledge which I have been able to take away and use in my school - Yothinburana EP.
Most importantly, this course enables you to meet a number of like-minded people, all of whom are in the same boat. Meeting these friends is invaluable, and has made my experience in Thailand a whole lot easier and more enjoyable.

The course itself is well organised and provides its trainees with the chance to go from knowing next to nothing about teaching English in Thailand, to being fully prepared for the world of a Farang (foreigner) teacher.
One thing I have experienced, though, is that the TEFL Heaven course was largely based on teaching younger students in Thailand, i.e: Prathom (Primary School). This means that the course is perfect for those trainees who eventually are placed into a Prathom environment, but can be slightly frustrating for those trainees who are placed in a Mathayom (Secondary School, ages 13-18).
Personally, having been placed into a Mathayom English Programme and teaching 16-18 year olds, I have found it very difficult to plan appropriate lessons for the students with the knowledge I had acquired from the TEFL Heaven course.

Having said that, the course itself is, on the whole, very useful to anybody who wishes to teach in Thailand. It offers a post-graduate a very unique TEFL course. Unlike a number of other TEFL courses, TEFL Heaven provides its trainees with a guaranteed job offer, and sets out a clear contract for the trainees too.

I would recommend the course for sure, particularly to post-graduates who, like myself, were not sure exactly what they wanted to do after their time at University.

I signed up to do TEFL Heaven because I wanted the security of being able to learn TEFL in an interactive and social way. It was a great decision.

The trainers were very knowledgeable and amazing to have around and the other people on the course were so lovely. We have an amazing network of support for when we need it, and lots of hook ups all over Thailand.

I wanted to challenge myself and make lots of new friends along the way. TEFL Heaven has enabled me to do that.

The 3 weeks training were some of the best of my life and I wish I could do it all again :D

I really enjoyed the TEFL course and all of the games modeled throughout the training. One of the best parts of the course was the English Camp. Even though I have taught before, I found that I was quite nervous to teach in front of these little Thai children! However they nervousness slowly dissipated as we began playing games and just having fun with the children. I found that the English camp was a really useful way for all of us to get comfortable and acquainted with the Thai kids. I do wish that there had been a bit more of a focus on classroom management in regards to aneban in particular as that is something I am struggling with a bit now.

All i can say is, if you have a degree, and you don't do this programme, you're stupid. I seriously don't get why not just everybody would do this, even if it's just for one school semester, its four months out of your life. I came intending to do one year maximum, and it's approaching the two year mark. Cliche's aside about friendships forever and a life-changing trip, this programme couldn't have been better. It immediately launches you into a social scene, where you meet the people who will be your safety blanket for the rest of your experience, which is amazing, as you all experience the homesickness, confusion, and amazing amazing times together. People from other agencies who I have met, just haven't had that same experience at all. This truly will be the best three weeks of your life, its the best launch pad into teaching in Thailand. i have spoken to other people who went through other agencies, and I have not once heard better things about other agencies, TEFL heaven is by far the way to go. It's also a really personal agency, I had SO many problems, like leaving my passport in another hostel, and they sort it out immediantely. Mike, the director, is just hilarious. It's worth doing the course just to meet him, and all the rest of the staff are also amazing, normal, down to earth. Just do it!! If you want to contact me about the programme , ill put my contact details below!!!

I really had the most amazing time on the training and during teaching. Since being back I can't stop talking about my experience with everyone and have even convinced some of my friends to sign up!

Teaching was something completely new to me so naturally I was terrified. However, after I completed the 3 weeks training I was so excited to get started. Mike and the rest of the trainers were amazing at preparing us and were always there if I had any concerns or worries. The training was very organised and it covered everything so I felt so confident by the time we finished. Even when we started our jobs Mike or Kerry would always be there immediately on the end of the phone if we had any problems. I met some great people on the course and at the Thai school who I am still in contact with now and so it is an experience I will never forget.

My only regret is that I didn't stay to teach for the second semester!
A big thank you to the TEFL Heaven team!

I had an amazing time at TEFL heaven. The staff were all so helpful and friendly. In my experience TEFL staff went above and beyond for me. The other trainees were incredible and I have probably never had more fun in my life. Koh Chang was beautiful and the perfect setting for a program like this. I felt so much more prepared getting my TEFL certificate hands on and in the country I was going to teach in. I use the techniques TEFL trainers taught me in the classroom every day. I can't recommend the experience enough. The only downsides were that I did feel we overpaid for transport and accommodation and there was some theft problems at the resort but, for TEFLs part, I thought they handled the theft as best they could. I would reccmend the experience to anyone and everyone because even though it is expensive, it's priceless.