Xplore Thailand In-Country TEFL + Placement Program

Xplore has helped me to expand my view of the world while acquiring knowledge along the way. I’ve met amazing people on my journey so far and I’m sure I’ll keep meeting more!

Getting down to the nitty gritty, there was a bunch of logistical things that Xplore helped me to set up or just straight up already had it covered that would’ve been a huge barrier for me had I not been given that support. The beginning of my trip established a feeling of community with the other soon to be teachers that I feel made the transition much smoother than without.

I had such a great experience! Although you don’t need to already be a teacher to get TEFL certified, coming from a teacher background definitely helped me when finding a job!

I actually got my TEFL certification from TEFL academy because I was unaware Xplore Asia did it too, but TEFL academy connected me to Xplore Asia when I decided on Thailand and they were SO helpful with every step of the process!! They will send you so many documents of information but it is all truly helpful! They also stay in contact with you during and after your teaching experience so you always have support when you need it! I got lucky and got a teaching interview just 4 days after Xplore sent out my teacher profile (which they help you create)! They also guide you on how to create a teaching demo and I was offered the job before I even got to Thailand! Once I landed, Xplore picked me up from the airport and had a whole week of training and fun activities before we left for our placement cities. They provide a cooking class, take you to a market and teach you how to order food, provide Thai lessons, history lessons, cultural lessons, take you to a temple and visit a monk, take you to a Muay Thai class, and more! It was such a fun week adjusting to a new country with Xplore and other new teachers! Xplore will also help you find your accommodation, your ride to your accommodation, negotiate your teaching contracts, help you with exchanging money if needed and more! I could tell they really wanted to see us succeed! Most schools want you to start the Monday after orientation week but school gave me an extra week to adjust so I just started my first week teaching! Although I was very anxious, it went well and all the staff at my school have been so nice and welcoming! Xplore also reached out to see how my first day went! If you love to travel and you love kids, I totally recommend teaching with Xplore! I started with a 6 month contract but I can always extend it if I want!
I’m in an online sped Grad program right now too and I’ve had no trouble finding the time to complete assignments, the work life balance is great here!

I highly recommend the Xplore Asia Summer Teach Program to anyone seeking an authentic cultural immersion experience while making a meaningful contribution abroad.

Through the program, I spent six weeks teaching at Kanchananukroh School in Kanchanaburi, Thailand. From the moment I arrived, Xplore Asia provided excellent support, helping me navigate everything from orientation and cultural preparation to settling into my new environment. Their team made the transition smooth and allowed me to focus on enjoying the experience and connecting with the local community.

What made this experience so memorable was not simply the opportunity to teach, but the chance to experience Thai culture firsthand. Living and working alongside Thai educators and students gave me a deeper appreciation for the country’s traditions, values, and way of life. The warmth, kindness, and hospitality I encountered throughout my stay made me feel welcomed from day one.

One of the most striking aspects of Thai culture was the respect shown toward teachers and education. Whether at school or in the community, I was consistently greeted with kindness and genuine curiosity. These daily interactions provided insights into Thai culture that no guidebook or tourist experience could ever replicate.

As an educator with more than 20 years of experience, I also found the experience professionally rewarding. It challenged me to think differently about communication, learning, and cross-cultural engagement, while reinforcing the universal impact that education can have in bringing people together.

I returned home with wonderful memories, new friendships, a deeper understanding of Thailand, and a renewed appreciation for cultural exchange. My sincere thanks to Xplore Asia for creating such a well-organized and impactful program. It was an unforgettable experience, and I would enthusiastically recommend it to anyone interested in teaching abroad and experiencing another culture in a meaningful way.

My experience teaching in Thailand is something I will never forget. I am super grateful to have been apart of this program as I have never been to Asia before. I definitely plan to continue my journey with Xplore in a different country in the near future. The staff was very helpful, especially Mile she was awesome and assisted me with every single question I had. For anyone looking to join the program, I would definitely recommend having an open mind and be willing to learn about new cultures and how to appreciate the differences.

I taught in Thailand with the help from this company in 2021–2022 during the COVID pandemic. I discovered them through the company Greenheart Travel. That year was an incredibly uncertain time to relocate internationally, but considering the global chaos, they handled the process well. Communication was consistent and clear, and I always understood the steps required to secure the proper visa and prepare for departure.

I also completed their online TEFL course, which I found genuinely helpful. The instructor did a great job preparing us for the realities of teaching large classrooms in Thailand. We discussed classroom management, lesson planning, and how to handle situations where students simply don’t understand you no matter how clearly you explain. Because of school closures, we couldn’t complete in-person teaching demos. Instead, we presented lessons to other trainees once we arrived in Thailand. It was awkward at first, but it built confidence and helped reduce the nerves of speaking in front of a classroom.

Orientation week included cultural workshops and group activities. Some of the language and culture sessions felt basic to me, though many participants found them useful and engaging. The social outings were well intentioned, but I noticed that people who arrived with friends or partners tended to stick together. As an introvert who arrived alone, that made bonding a bit challenging. The company also created Line and Facebook groups to encourage connection and support between teachers, but they were mostly inactive. Still, I appreciated having a gradual introduction to the company and the country rather than being thrown directly into full-time teaching.

Accommodation during orientation was simple and somewhat run-down. There were hotel and hostel options, and many participants complained about outdated facilities, firm mattresses, and older air-conditioning units. While it wasn’t luxurious, I later realized it reflected the reality of how many locals live. That said, given the cost of these programs, slightly more comfortable housing during such a major life transition would improve the overall experience.

Job placement was initially confusing. I specifically requested placement in a major city but was repeatedly offered rural towns. Meanwhile, some participants who wanted rural placements were offered larger cities. I’m not sure how those decisions were made. In the end, I was placed in Lampang and signed a contract with a local agency, which turned out to be one of the best teaching experiences of my life.

The main reason I eventually left my school was salary transparency. The difference between what schools pay agencies and what teachers ultimately receive can be significant. While adults are responsible for managing their own finances, I believe the program could better prepare teachers for the financial realities of living in Thailand — including rent, food, transportation, and classroom materials. A more open discussion about budgeting and agency structures would help teachers make informed decisions.

When my contract ended and I was transitioning to a new school, I faced visa complications between cancellation and transfer. A staff member eventually reached out privately to offer guidance, which I appreciated. However, I hadn’t realized I could still seek support after placement, so clearer communication about post-contract assistance would be helpful.

Overall, I had a positive experience and left with some of my most meaningful teaching memories. While there is room for improvement — particularly regarding accommodation comfort, placement transparency, and financial guidance — the company provided solid preparation and support during a very challenging global period. I would still recommend them to others considering teaching in Thailand.

I enrolled due to advertised “100% placement guarantee,” vetted schools, and lifetime support.

My placement involved unpaid wages, late payments and safety issues for months, including flood travel expectations and a visa-related trip to the special economic zone Golden Triangle region which that raised serious safety and security concerns and is known for human trafficking and criminal activity where I was nearly robbed and was not briefed on scam operations and was almost stranded in Laos while being blamed for following their partner agents instructions. After the placement due to late payments and non payments and being asked to work in dangerous conditions and circumstances, I requested support under their Future Placement policy but received prolonged delays as long as 11 months which is an unreasonable amount of time to wait for an actionable placement guarantee as advertised.

Many teachers in Thailand work without a TEFL or any agency involvement, which raises questions about the necessity and value of the expensive certification totaling over 2 thousand USD.

The public marketing and review profile does not reflect my documented experience. Additionally, the company’s online review experience profile appears disproportionately positive compared to documented consumer complaints and feedback on other websites which cannot be astroturfed by them or their partner agencies who recruit via their online ads, which warrants scrutiny.

This was a worthwhile program. The program was legitimately challenging and engaging, and prepares potential teachers for most classroom situations. The instructors are clearly experienced and skilled at preparing participants for teaching jobs.

Consider offering alternative lodgings when hosting training in Hua Hin. The Tanawit is a decent value, but, it is not the most comfortable place to lodge for a month. I suggest offering an alternative. Also, if you are hosting training (especially in the month of April) maybe you could conduct classes somewhere that has air conditioning. The heat and humidity impact focus.

Xplore Asia allowed me to pursue my dream of teaching abroad. Not only did they secure a job for me but they placed me with a company that I absolutely love. I am still at my original placement and school. I do not plan on leaving anytime soon. I've met so many people from countries all around the world. I have had the opportunity to work in and around fun, engaging, interactive, students and teachers. So far this has been one of my best experiences yet. Come join me and start living your life abroad as well.