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 three 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’ll craft your own Power Resume, formulate a personal job search strategy, and coach you on interviewing techniques.

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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. Download the free "Teaching in Thailand eBook:" https://bit.ly/2YQGEmf

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Questions & Answers

Reviews

4.99 Rating
based on 164 reviews
  • 5 rating 99.39%
  • 4 rating 0.61%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Instruction 5
  • Support 5
  • Value 5
  • Academic Rigor 4.9
  • Job Assistance 5
Showing 65 - 72 of 164 reviews
Default avatar
Timothy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Start of a Journey

I did a lot of research on which would be the best 120-hour In-Class program to take in Bangkok. That was the beginning of my journey.

For me the course content was really eye-opening. I learned a lot about the English language and how it’s structured--a language I've been speaking all my life!

The practice teaching is where it all came together. The theory of the classroom was put into lesson plans one language topic at time.

The Vantage trainers are experts at observation. They could immediately show me what my strengths were and identify any areas I needed to address. I got better with each of my practice sessions and my end I really felt I had the teaching skill set I need to begin my journey as a successful English teacher.

If you’re thinking long term—a career in education—this is the team you need.

52 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Investment

I researched many TEFL course providers to see where I could get the best In-Class training. Vantage kept coming up again and again in multiple reviews.

But before choosing my course, I sent many e-mails to Kevin about my concerns about finding a teaching position after graduation in the hospitality field. He was more than helpful and always reassured me. He then gave me proper guidance on my creating a Power Resume and techniques to succeed in an interview.

I also had concerns regarding an In-Class vs an online TEFL. After two days spent with Chris, the lead trainer, I immediately felt that I have chosen the right course. He is really knowledgeable and he makes grammar fun! This and all the other techniques and tricks shared by the Vantage training team is invaluable and has no price tag on it.

Being able to train with real students in a live classroom--both kids and young adults—is a big strength of Vantage. The feedback and constructive criticism after each of my practice class saw me improve and gain confidence after each training session.

Vantage has been one of the best ‘Investments’ I’ve made for myself in a long time!

53 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Robert
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Ready to Start a New Career

I enrolled in the Combined Course where I did the 20 unit course book online after which Vantage directed the six observed teaching practices that were required.

The program far exceeded my expectations.

First I had to formulate a lesson plan—each one on a separate language topic. Then those were reviewed by Vantage trainers and, once approved, I sourced for materials that I would use to deliver the learning objective.

The practice teaching opportunities were with actual students and quite challenging. Vantage guided me each step of the way. The instructors were engaging throughout the process and gave me detailed critiques of my teaching.

I learned a lot during my two weeks and I feel much better prepared now to start my teaching career.

I highly recommend the Vantage programs for those embarking on a teaching career.

54 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kristina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning the ESA Methodology

I’m an English teacher in Russia. I have been teaching students for a few years and while I’ve had some success, I felt I could benefit from a more professional approach to language teaching. That brought me to Vantage.

Here I learned the communicative approach of the ESA methodology (Engage, Study & Activate) of teaching English. Under Vantage’s supervised guidance, I had the flexibility to conduct a classroom in an organized and productive way. By engaging the students—rather than my old lecture-style—I was surprised how I could keep the students interested, motivated and eager to learn more.

The engage phase keeps students interested, the study phase helps students to learn, and the activate phase helps put into practice what they have studied. I discovered that an ESA class can be structured in any way that is best for the teacher and the topic I’m teaching.
The ESA approached has radically changed my teaching. I used to use a grammar heavy approach to English, which, truth be told, did not keep my old students sufficiently motivated.

I am also very grateful to the Vantage trainers--Chris, Kevin, and Ryan – such an incredible team and they help a lot with everything you need during the course.

I am very excited to teach English and apply all the new ESA methodology and techniques in my teaching.

I definitely recommend the Vantage TEFL Bangkok to anyone who wants to be an effective teacher.

47 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Stephan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching at All Levels

Vantage TEFL gave me an unrivaled teaching experience. This course taught me how to prepare and shape my lesson planning for the needs of my students. I’ve learned how to teach both kids and adults. I now feel confident to teach English to students of any level.
The Lead trainer is highly professional and very knowledgeable. He helped us achieve a very high level of competency. We had lots of opportunities to practice teach—first at the college level where we taught young adults—then, switching gears, also at the primary school, where we got the opportunity to teach young 6 years old kids

In addition to our training as future English teachers, the course also had a foreign language component that consisted of Thai language and culture orientation classes. Particularly useful was how Vantage incorporated the culture segments with a do’s and don’ts when teaching in a Thai school. This is a must for those who want to teach in Thailand. I had considered doing my TEFL in Australia and then come to Thailand to teach. I wouldn’t have gotten anything close to a cultural grounding and acclimatization if I had stayed home.

In addition, Vantage has its own dedicated jobs coach. This man has taught us how to create an exceptional resume and cover letter, which is an invaluable skill that everybody should have in today’s competitive teaching industry.
Thank you Vantage. Taking this course was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

45 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Penda
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Grooming tomorrow's teachers today

I'm so thankful in my choice of Vantage TEFL Center as it was among the best decision I've ever made.
The Vintage team was instrumental in the successful completion of my TEFL certification and they have put such a great time and effort into preparing us for teaching career ahead.
I have gained tremendous personal growth while studying at Vantage.
Vantage is the highest-ranked TEFL program in the language industry which is dedicated to empowering ,motivating and grooming tomorrow's teachers today.
Vantage taught us how to formulate an effective lesson plan ,which we then taught in six observed practice teaching classes in a real Thai School . The course also include peer teaching and a Thai foreign language experience so we could know what it feel to learn a new language and to be in the same shoes as our students .
The Course Instructor is absolutely amazing .
He has many years of teaching experience and is an expert in an outstanding teaching methodology .He kept me motivated when I was nervous with my teaching lessons .
The Course Drector is ever so helpful as he always provide assistance to students with accommodation, creating power resume cover letters , and job support and coaching us on interview techniques.
I highly recommend Vantage TEFL Center as they are committed to excellence .
They are highly experienced professions and a great place to be if you want to be part of a community of great teachers that they have produced.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Giving lesson to real students,i overcome it with laughter and just have fun while teaching.
48 people found this review helpful.
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.

46 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.

50 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 Siam (Vantage TEFL Certification)

American Accreditation | Internationally Recognized | Validated by Lamar University (Texas, USA) Established in 2007, and Thailand’s highest-rated TEFL program, Bangkok-based Vantage TEFL offers three separate TEFL certification programs. The newest program is Virtual Vantage. You do the coursebook online then teach your observed teaching practices...
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