Teaching internship & TEFL Certification (Thailand, Vietnam, Europe, China, India)

Great chance to experience a new culture and get some real world teaching experience. I was given the freedom to have lessons not only in the classroom but out on the lake by the school during kayaking classes. I would most certainly recommend this trip to all of my friends in the United Kingdom.

I also participated in the free stay in Yangshuo at the end of the trip, which is a must do. Yangshuo was beautiful and the activities were plentiful.

The program I was allocated to was accompanying a group of kids from a school in Nanning on a field trip to Xi'an, while teaching them English in the process. This was an experience I would recommend to anyone, as we visited tourism sites, engaged in traditional activities and learned about local culture. This was a lot easier to do than when exploring China alone, as all the activities were organised, and it felt more like a field trip, than a work placement, as almost all the activities, even the teaching, were fun.

After the conclusion of this trip, there was a free stay in Yangshuo, which i would also greatly recommend, as it offers a completely different side of China to explore.

On this trip all participants are allocated a school with which to work with, and my program was accompanying a school from Nanning on their field trip to Xi’an.
It was an extremely interesting trip, visiting famous sites such as the Terracotta Army, while teaching the kids English and talking to them in English throughout.
I would thoroughly recommend the experience to anyone, as it benefited both myself and the kids, and the other teachers were amazing hosts and very friendly.

I also participated in the free stay in Yangshuo at the end of the trip, which is a must do. Yangshuo was beautiful and the activities were plentiful.

My experience with Gotoco really benefited me in the way that I discovered a love for teaching which in turn improved my self confidence and provided me with invaluable experience of work in a school setting, making a difference in young people's lives. As a result of this I am likely to consider it as a potential career path for my future. The opportunity also brought me wonderful friendships and adventures, and a complete immersion in a new and exciting culture which really opened my eyes and I learnt a lot from. There were too many highlights to list, but I am incredibly grateful to Gotoco for providing me with such an amazing and once in a lifetime opportunity.

I really enjoyed being able to choose my own lessons plans, that made it so that I was comfortable teaching the content in class because I had planned it beforehand from my own knowledge. Yangzhou was a city where we were all very dependent, so any activities we would do we would plan on our own, usually traveling to other cities in other provinces. think I appreciate the process of language-learning more. I understand that it can be challenging at times but otherwise highly rewarding for the student. I think I want to continue learning new languages in University now.

I would definitely recommend this programme. It is not only an affordable way to have such a huge experience, but it a productive and positive way to use your summer and time. I felt very lucky to be able to spend so much time, and become completely immersed, in a place which is so different to everything I have ever known. It was also very special stay in one place and be able to get to know it and the locals, I now know I will always have friends in China. At the same time, a TEFL certificate will not only make me more employable, but will allow me to have a similar experience either in China or elsewhere.

Really helped me have an unforgettable summer in China by placing me in an amazing program in Guangzhou! I learned so much and really appreciate the support. It really is a once and a lifetime opportunity. Once you are in China they are very responsive, especially via wechat, to problems and concerns. They really watch after you while you’re in china and make sure everything is going well. For prospective participants my advice is to be straightforward with them about what you’re looking to get out of your experience. And if you want to change anything while you’re in China speak out rather than holding it in.

Gotoco really does offer an amazing opportunity to live and work in China; you can be placed either in a school or a summer camp (like I was) but either way the chance to experience Chinese culture, travel and get out of your comfort zone is one you don't want to miss. Gotoco also cover a lot of the costs. Food and accommodation is covered, they provide stipends for your days off and they can also provide a travel bursary if you choose to go somewhere other than Yangshuo after the project ends.

If I have one negative thing to say, it's just that Gotoco's communication during the application process needs improvement. If you apply early like I did, be prepared to not hear anything for very long periods of time.