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.

Video and Photos

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.

Related Programs

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 105 - 112 of 182 reviews
Default avatar
J. Yvonne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Online Confessions

I took Vantage’s Combined Course where I did the 20 unit course book online. I then showed up at the Bangkok training center to do my observed teaching practices. The trainers invited me to sit in on any of the In-Class course sessions I wanted. I ended up sitting on the whole course again. Online I just read the book, but attending a class with a lead trainer that has some 25 years of experience is a whole different story. He added a lot of insight that went well beyond the course book.

Vantage also employs a workshop style to their training that facilities a lot of discussion and role-playing. And they’ve added superb supplementary materials that they’ve developed that adds another dimension to the course.

It was my six observed teaching practices where that knowledge turned into skills I could use in a classroom. After each teaching session, I first had to reflect on what I did and after only after that did I then get a private consultation on what went well (more than I thought) and what they wanted to see in my next time in the classroom.

The bottom line is that I’m now totally confident to teach. I’d like to apply my new teaching skills to my nursing background and teach medical English to hospital staff.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I learned it's durian season in Thailand in April and May. I tried it for the first time and I must say it's delicious. I'll be back for more.
80 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
D.
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Much More for My Money!

I chose this course as I believed that teaching in a live classroom was essential for developing effective and successful teaching skills. I also had a good friend who took the course about a year earlier and he couldn’t say enough good things about it.

Vantage’s training team was incredible. The lead teacher was able to answer every ‘teacher’ question I asked. So I ended up with additional answers that I wouldn’t have known if I had done an online-only class.

Vantage advertise their TEFL is given in a workshop style (as opposed to a lecture format) and I see how I really benefited from all the discussion and feedback I got—training that went well beyond the material in the course book.

They also have their own dedicated “Jobs Coach.” I sat with him and revitalised my old resume into what he called a professional Power Resume. Something must have worked as I got multiple job offers within days of finishing the course.

What really impressed me about Vantage was their strong support in landing me a teaching position and all the visa and pre-course information that was given to me.

If you want to teach professionally, this is the training team you should call. I’m really glad these guys ended up as my first choice.

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

Vantage at the Top of my List

In researching for the best TEFL courses in Bangkok, I discovered that there was really only one choice. And, after I made my short list, I learned that Vantage had just won the 2018 an award as the best overall TEFL program in the world.

The lead trainer taught in a workshop style so there’s lots of discussion and personal attention given. He was super knowledgeable about the different concepts of the English and could answer any question we put to him.
Vantage teaches what they call the ‘communicative approach’ to teaching a language. I was later to learn that this method is now be taught to thousands of Thai English teachers in colleges around Thailand.

In our observed practice teaching sessions, I first learned how to engage the students as a way of introducing a particular language topic for that class.

This program has its own Jobs Coach who will sit with you and create an individual Power Resume. He also coached us on how to be effective in interviews. Through their partner network of schools, I already scheduled my first interviews before I even graduated.

I was guided and encouraged each step of the way of becoming a truly professional teacher. Their quality of Vantage’s training far exceeded even my high expectations. You won’t be left unattended with these guys—they do whatever it takes to ensure you will succeed.

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

Got Much More for My Money!

I chose this course as I believed that teaching in a live classroom was essential for developing effective and successful teaching skills. I also had a good friend who took the course about a year earlier and he couldn’t say enough good things about it.

Vantage’s training team was incredible. The lead teacher was able to answer every ‘teacher’ question I asked. So I ended up with additional answers that I wouldn’t have known if I had done an online-only class.

Vantage advertise their TEFL is given in a workshop style (as opposed to a lecture format) and I see how I really benefited from all the discussion and feedback I got—training that went well beyond the material in the course book.

They also have their own dedicated “Jobs Coach.” I sat with him and revitalised my old resume into what he called a professional Power Resume. Something must have worked as I got multiple job offers within days of finishing the course.

What really impressed me about Vantage was their strong support in landing me a teaching position and all the visa and pre-course information that was given to me.

If you want to teach professionally, this is the training team you should call. I’m really glad these guys ended up as my first choice.

73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ross
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Science Teacher Takes TEFL

I had accepted a position teaching chemistry in a Thai high school and the school that hired me—as I had no teaching experience—wanted me to do a TEFL certification course beforehand. They recommended Vantage as they had a number of teachers who were trained there and they were all subsequently highly successful in their client schools.
As advertised, this TEFL course was intensive. Having said that, the lead trainer made it interesting and fun and the time just flew by.

We were introduced to the communicative approach to language teaching and I soon was eliciting responses and praising my students constantly, creating more of a workshop environment instead of a lecture type classroom.

This part of the course was the observed teaching practices where I learned from hands-on experience. Each lesson was on a different language topic and my classes varied from small groups of 8 or so to a large class of 52, which help round me into a more professional teacher who’s versatile in any classroom.

But before I even stepped into a classroom, I first learned how to formulate detailed lesson plans each covering a specific language topic. Each plan was first evaluated by the lead trainer where I had to show my teaching aims, learner objectives, and anticipated problems with the actions to remedy them.

I found myself improving with every practice class—both from the expert feedback I got, but also my self-evaluations. Over time, this helped me spot problems myself. That allowed me to think about what I could improve first, leading to quicker responses which resulted in a more improved teacher for the next session.

Vantage also includes a foreign language experience, where the trainer taught the cultural norms of Thailand and the different expectations and teaching techniques that are used compared to western classrooms. He also taught some lessons on Thai language which demonstrated difficulties in language learning as we ‘sat on the other side of the desk’ and got a valuable perspective of what a language learner is going through.

The bottom line is that I’m now ready to teach! I’m more than confident I can teach a successful class!

67 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Dexter
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

World Class Trainers

Hats off to the training team at Vantage! I read a number of their reviews before I enrolled and I really think that’s it’s their high level of training expertise backed by decades of experience that’s the secret in their sauce.

I came into this program seeking a career change from a professional athlete to a qualified teacher.

The training I got was second to none. Not only was the curriculum great and I learned a lot of theory and techniques, but it was also the combination of the observed practice teaching sessions where my newly gained knowledge became teaching skills I could use in a classroom. We started off learning how to complete full lessons plans for which is essential in providing you with a plan of action in the six hours of student teaching in an actual classroom.

Vantage cares about you as an individual, as well not just as a body to fill seats in the course. They want you to succeed. They run small class sizes so the personal attention I got started on day one and went right through to graduation.

Overall I give this school 5 stars thank you very much for a memorable and enjoyable learning experience. I highly recommend this school to anyone who is thinking about a career in education.

73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Brendan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning the Communicative Approach

As I was working full time, I couldn’t afford the full 4 weeks of a standard In-Class course at Vantage full time. So I opted for their Combined Class, where I did the course book online and then came to Bangkok for a fortnight to do my observed practice teaching sessions.

I worked my way through the 20 modules over about a 7 week period. I had no difficulty doing the work online and the programme was well organized and everything worked effectively. I also got support from an online tutor and I received prompt replies within a day or so.

After I completed the online portion, I came to Bangkok for my practicum where I taught six classes over two weeks. I first thought it would be pretty easy to do that over two weeks but I soon realized that the formulation of lesson plans—and many revisions—did take significantly more time than I originally planned.

The feedback I got from Vantage’s trainers was focused, highly targeted and very useful. Even though I was an experienced educator, I was relatively new to teaching non-English speaking students and I found the communicative approach I was now using highly effective. I saw myself getting better at it with each practice session. We also had to observe the trainers do their ‘expert demonstration” session as well as other trainees practice classes and learn from their experiences as part of our overall practicum experience.

I have thoroughly enjoyed doing my TEFL at Vantage and I would recommend these guys without hesitation. They go the extra mile to ensure you come out ready to teach

73 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Padda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I’m ready to teach!

Vantage was great!

The observed teaching practices were both a lot of fun and an incredible learning experience. This is where I really acquired my new teaching skills. I found myself getting better with every practice session aide by the expert advice provided by the course instructors. After every assessment, I was always given a new challenge work in my next observed class. It was here that my teaching knowledge from the course book morphed into teaching skills.

I should back up a bit here. Before I even step into a classroom I first learned how to formulate a viable lesson plan so I could successfully teach to non-English speaking students. That meant I had to be aware of my student’s English levels. Vantage showed me how to do this. These guys are also an authorized Cambridge exam centre so teach about testing and how to measure language proficiency something I believe other TEFL centers don’t even cover.

As hard as this was in the beginning, with each succeeding lesson plan I seem to get better and faster so that by the course’s end I pretty much had this under control.

A truly great class with awesome instructors. You can’t go wrong with these guys.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Work hard, play hard...and learn to be a highly skilled instructor
74 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...

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award