Vantage | 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Certification | Hybrid Option

About

Vantage is an American accredited, internationally recognized, and validated by Lamar University (Texas, USA).

Thailand’s highest-rated TEFL program, established in 2007, offers two TEFL certification programs.

The in-Class Course is given onsite over four weeks. This includes six hours of observed teaching practices (OTP).

The Combined Hybrid Course is where you study teaching methodologies online first and then complete your OTPs in a real school.

All Vantage courses include a full practicum of six observed teaching practices with non-English speaking students in real classrooms.

Vantage provides lifetime job support. They will craft your own Power Resume, formulate a personal job search strategy, and coach you on interviewing techniques. Vantage alumni are working in Thailand, throughout Asia, and around the world.

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Highlights

  • Vantage won #1 in Instruction, Support & Job Assistance in the worldwide 2022 Community Choice Awards.
  • 4-Week, 120-hour, In-Class TEFL Training Course in Bangkok - Visa Assistance - 6 Job Support – Six Observed Teaching Practices in Real Schools -
  • Provide lifelong job support. They have partnerships with leading Thai English education providers that place hundreds of teachers in prestigious Thai schools every year.
  • Vantage’s Hybrid Combined Course—a blend of online study + observed teaching practice in real classrooms—was named #1 in “The 9 Best Online TEFL Courses.”
  • A TEFL Treasure Trove of information.

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

4.99 Rating
based on 182 reviews
  • 5 rating 99.45%
  • 4 rating 0.55%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 5
  • Support 5
  • Value 5
  • Academic Rigor 4.9
  • Job Assistance 5
Showing 89 - 96 of 182 reviews
Default avatar
Gav
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Extremely Pleased

I researched a lot of other TEFL course online and I also talked with English language teachers and they all had very positive feedback about Vantage. Vantage’s reputation is well-founded. Their course was excellent and we were taught by extremely knowledgeable and talented staff.

I took the In-Class course which combined the teaching theory with actual practical teaching. We taught six practice lessons at a college and also a primary and secondary school. I got great feedback after each session as well as a new challenge to incorporate in my next class
This practice training was excellent and the feedback and guidance we got from the staff at Vantage were first-rate. This is where I really developed my teaching skills. I’m now ready to teach anywhere to pretty much anyone.

The Vantage team is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and experts in their profession. The programme was intense but enjoyable and everyone was helpful. They even assisted with my resume and job support documentation and then tapped me into their extensive education network for teaching positions. I secured a full-time position before I had completed the course!

I would highly recommend Vantage to anyone interested in a teaching career at Thailand’s best schools.

83 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mood
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Decades of Experience

The Vantage training team have a wealth of experience in education. Their lead trainer has been in the profession since the mid-90s and their small class sizes means that I and my classmates got a lot of extra personal attention through every part of their course.

I also really benefited from their workshop style of presentation which allows learners to absorb a great deal of the curriculum without feeling any undue stress or information overload. Indeed, as the daily classes were so engaging, time just flew by.

Vantage gave me the courage to stand in front of a class. I learned how to craft a professional lesson plan—which I used with new teaching techniques to deliver successful—and fun—practice English classes. What really jumpstarted my teaching skills was the detailed feedback after every practice session—and the challenge I was given for the next class.

Vantage also has a lot of connections on the job front. They have their own specialized Jobs coach. He sat with me to create a power resume and a highly effective cover letter and other job support documentation. I was coached on interviewing techniques and how to formulate a personalized job search strategy. Since I’m a proficient non-native speaker, I was coached on how to deal with the non-native English speaker objections.

All I can say is, it was great fun. I had a fantastic time with my fellow trainees—my new friends—and I’m ready to use my new teaching skills. If you want to become a professional teacher, the Vantage trainers are the people to talk to.

83 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Pin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Honing My Teaching Skills

I’m an experience teaching as I’ve taught over seven years in Thai schools. What I needed was a TEFL course where I could further develop my skills to become a more effective teacher.

Vantage proved to be just the ticket!

It was an intensive course, but I improved a lot in terms of formulating successful lesson plans and creating subsequent class materials. I also was introduced to the communicative approach to language teaching—the ESA methodology in particular—and how to engage students to keep them fully motivated and buy into my class.

Actually it’s not too surprising that Vantage was right for what I needed. Their trainers were very knowledgeable and have decades of experience in teaching and the education sector. These guys always went the extra mile to help me and my classmates during our course.

I highly recommend this course for anyone who wants to teach in Thailand or around the world.

84 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Z.
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Outstanding TEFL Center

My rigorous research for the right TEFL center in Bangkok took me to several actual visits to various course providers. In the end, only one school stood out. When I came to Vantage, I immediately knew I was in a professional training center.

The Course Director met me personally and I peppered him with questions and my many concerns. It was then I knew I had found the right place. Vantage’s facilities are very modern and clean and the main training room had a wall of windows looking out to Bangkok’s iconic Elephant building.

The lead trainer, Chris, has been teaching English in Thailand for well over twenty years. He has over two decades of teaching and materials development experience. That and his great sense of humor that made all his class engaging—even the grammar lessons.

Vantage also has a dedicated trainer for the foreign language experience as well as the own Jobs Coach. He got me my first job offer about halfway through the course. I learned that many Thai agencies and schools specifically come and ask for Vantage’s TEFL graduates—something that puts them in a league of their own as compared with other TEFL certification courses.

In our practice teaching sessions, I got to teach a wide variety of students. I taught primary, secondary and even college students. The bottom line is that I ready to teach anyone, anywhere.

I highly recommend the highly-rated Vantage TEFL certification course. If like me, you’re looking for a career in education, these are the people you should be talking to.

90 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
D
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I did my Research

I spent a lot of time looking at various TEFL programs. Yes, there is a lot of choices out there, but in going through independent review websites, I got a really good idea of what they were all about. Too many TEFL course reviews were just about the friends they made and the good time they had. The reviews about Vantage really stood out in that they detailed the TEFL program specifically. I figured that alums who took the time to write a thorough review must be highly satisfied with the teacher training they got.

Vantage’s course was comprehensive, more so than I initially thought. During my ‘course month,’ I was always kept busy. What made this all fun was that the material was always engaging, and the trainer was quite humorous. The time just flew by.

For me, the teaching practices really made me into a teacher and gave me the skills to teach and importantly, the confidence I needed to step in front of a class. We practiced teaching to real non-English speaking (Thai) students. After each class, I had to do a self-reflection of my own performance and then I got my observed feedback from Vantage’s trainers which was crucial in my getting better with each practice session.

We first learned how to create effective lesson plans, source teaching materials, and then how to incorporate them into a successful class. I have a BS degree in education, but the communicative approach to language teaching that I learned at Vantage was all new to me.

Vantage has their own Jobs Coach and he’ll show you how to build a Power Resume, craft cover letters and train you on interviewing techniques. As I’m a non-native speaker, I was coached on how to position that as an advantage—in ways I never considered before.
If you’re like me and looking for a career in teaching, Vantage should be your first port of call!

80 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Elizabeth
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Unequivocal Choice

My TEFL experience at Vantage was an intensive course that incorporated both teaching theory and practical lessons. The observed practice teaching was really important in giving me the key teaching skills I need. I now have the confidence to step into any classroom because I have the skills to know what I’m doing in front of my class.

Vantage trainers are diligent, understanding and extremely knowledgeable. They were able to handle any of the questions from my class. I feel that I achieved a high level of personal and professional accomplishment from completing their course

Everyone in the Vantage team really goes the extra mile to ensure you have a successful start in your teaching career. I was given a ton of teaching resources—both inside and outside of the classroom

Overall, I am extremely pleased with Vantage. Their training has provided me with the foundational skillset and the confidence to teach anywhere in the world.

This was a great investment—in myself! I would recommend Vantage as my unequivocal choice for those looking to gain a high-quality TEFL training experience and a professional certification.

77 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Michael
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

If you are serious about teaching, Vantage is the TEFL training program you need.

I’m very happy that I chose Vantage to complete my TEFL Certification. Their team is dedicated to providing a thorough and effective program so that every student leaves with the skills and confidence they need to teach well and succeed. We learned best practices, how to write and deliver effective lessons that have students using the language and we even gained a much clearer understanding of the rules of English grammar.

The program is not easy and includes 6 hours of teaching practice in real schools; but teaching is not an easy profession. If you are serious about teaching, ignore the beach fantasies and enroll at Vantage. You will gain the knowledge and confidence you need to get started. They even lined up my first job in a good school (there are lots of bad ones) before I was even finished.

77 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jack
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Discovering a New Path

My journey to Thailand was to look for a new experience in life and it was here that I first explored the idea of being an English teacher as a way to live overseas.

So then the question became where to get the proper training. My research let me to Vantage after I discovered was the highest-rated TELF course in Thailand. I went to their training center and spoke to Kevin who explained the course and told me how they place all their graduate in good teaching positions. The other TEFL providers I went to didn’t have much advice on jobs or know how many of their students were working after they graduated.

The course teacher Chris is very experienced, so he’s able to answer every question you have on teaching in Thailand. And teaching English as a foreign language. I quickly learned that language teaching is not at all the same as teaching something like science or history.

We also had a ‘foreign language experience’ with great insight on what to expect in Thai classrooms along with useful phrases to know in Thai. For me, this was very helpful in knowing what you can and can’t do in a Thai classroom compared to say a British classroom.

It’s the practice teaching where I really learn how to teach. My first teaching practicum was in a government school and I was terrified. I didn’t go all that well. But with the observed feedback I got from the trainers, I managed to go into the school next time with confidence, so much so that by the final time teaching there I was sad to be not returning.

We also taught adults at a nurse college. In the end, I taught young primary kids, to teenagers to adults, which was great. Every session was observed and got great feedback after each class. I can now claim after all my practice sessions, that I’m confident and ready to teach anywhere.

79 people found this review helpful.

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I decided to do my TEFL when I was stuck in a dead end job with zero ambition. I looked at various way of traveling the world while earning some money and came across TEFL, and decided that I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I love children and that is a main reason why I decided to do the TEFL.

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

I sent an email asking about the course and what it would entail. The institution (Vantage TEFL) I worked with had fast responses and answers to all my questions. They made it very easy to understand the requirements with constant feedback. I never had any doubt that I could do this through the confidence they gave me. A truly professional approach and I really enjoyed the journey of doing my TEFL.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I moved to Thailand without doing any research about my surroundings and the cultural differences were the most challenging when I moved here, but people are so polite and friendly (it is contagious) that you adapt easily. I wish I knew about this earlier, as I would have loved to do this earlier in my life. Last piece of advice is to not underestimate the course as it was intense but enjoyable, and I truly believe, after this course I can teach English as a second language to anyone willing to learn.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My course was a 9:00 to 17:00 on weekdays for a month long. It is long days and sometimes you had to get the the facility at 07:00 to do practice teaching. On an average day, you are guided through the English language and it is not to teach you English it is to help you to teach English. You also get exposed to practice teaching, which really helps you gain confidence as an English teacher and removes all doubt you would have (I also had a lot of doubt and anxiety, but the practice teachings ensured that I gained confidence and became comfortable in teaching).

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

Biggest fear I had was that I never left my hometown for more than 6 weeks before. I always thought how would I adapt to a place I do not know and people that I do not understand? To answer that question, the answer lies within yourself. You need to decide that you want to do this. Once you open yourself up to the idea, it is strange how things just fall into place through meeting amazing people and experiencing unique cultures.

I have no doubt this is one of the biggest changes I made in my life and I have no regrets that I did it. Sometimes fear dictates our decision making, but just think of all the amazing experiences you will have and be able to share with your friends and family when they come visit.

What do I think prospective travelers would like to know?

My answer will be based on Thailand, as this is where I am currently.

Firstly, food is absolutely amazing. I have gained so much weight just by indulging in Thai cuisine.

Secondly, make sure that, if you want to work here, that your employer can speak English where both parties understand to avoid unnecessary confusion.

What would I change or do differently?

I have not been here to long and I would say there is currently nothing I would change, as the experience has been challenging and breathtaking at the same time.

Last thing that I would say: do not run from you fears. Embrace them and just do it; you will not regret it.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Chris Demetsopoullos

Job Title
Lead TEFL Trainer
Headshot of staff

Chris, tell us about yourself.

Originally from the UK, I started my teaching career in the early 1990s where I taught a diverse range of Thai students. I then moved up to positions of corporate English assignments, which led to work as a developer of customized curriculums -- increasingly in digital eLearning materials -- for business skills courses and workshops.

Today, I specialize in one-on-one Executive Coaching for personal development programs and Leadership Coaching for Thailand’s blue chip corporations as well as being the Lead Trainer for Vantage’s TEFL program.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have many years of business English teaching and corporate training with previous companies, along with training materials development.

However, I’ve really honed that skill with Vantage, as we offer customized corporate training programs — business English and management and corporate skills on an exclusive basis.

We specialize in blended learning programs, so a new and important skill I’ve developed is eLearning instructional design.

I’ve also become a teacher trainer since working at Vantage Siam, for which my experience and varied roles have been invaluable. Vantage has given me the opportunity to grow and develop professionally, and I’m sure there’s more to come.

What is the best story you’ve heard from a return student?

We had a recent trainee who had had a rather troubled past. He decided to essentially “grow up” and better himself by getting himself a respectable career.

He contacted us and, after meeting with him, we were pretty sure he could become a good English teacher. However, he had very little confidence that he could make it.

We soon discovered he was very good at drawing out language from the students by use of questions, prompts and cueing during the first phase of the ESA methodology (Engage, Study, and Activate).

With subsequent training in the Study and Activate phases -- along with observed teaching practices -- he became highly effective in delivering a class to non-English speaking students in a live classroom. In short, this ‘raw recruit” became a highly skilled teacher. The surprise was that we had no idea in the beginning how good he would turn out to be.

We then helped get him a good teaching position at a prestigious school that is very appreciative of the way he motivates his students into successful English language acquisition.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

Vantage has always embraced the cutting edge in educational technology. We were among the first to offer customized courses in English for Special Purposes. We embraced eLearning and blended instruction in our classrooms in Thailand over fifteen years ago. We have been advocating computer-adaptive proficiency testing. Later this year, we will be educating the market in the first speaking and writing tests to be scored by AI technology.

And while we teach an American accredited TFFL course, we do supplement the curriculum with an introduction to both assessment methodology and emerging teaching technologies.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I think one of the key factors in being successful is the ability to re-invent yourself -- or at least being open to change. And to change yourself effectively, you need to be able to hear what’s going on in the world around.

We like to think we’re good listeners. We listen to a couple of key voices to help point the company into head winds that we lead us to future successes.

We listen what the market is telling us in terms of what skills schools need for successful teachers.

We also hear what our TEFL candidates tell us during our time with us. We look at what skills they bring on day one --
what we do throughout the course -- and what the final product turned out to be. In other words, how well can they teach in a real classroom at the end of their training.

And finally, we follow key thought leaders in the education field. People that are talking today about what may be mainstream in learning tomorrow.

About Vantage TEFL Certification

American Accreditation | Internationally Recognized | Earn 3 College Credits Established in 2007, and Thailand’s highest-rated TEFL program, Bangkok-based Vantage TEFL offers two separate TEFL certification programs. Our award-winning program is a 120-hour In-Class Course that’s given over four weeks. This includes six hours of OTP (Observed...

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