Samui TEFL April 2014 Course

I had just moved to Thailand from the U.S and was looking to obtain a teaching position on the island. Since Samui TEFL was recommended by a reliable source who teaches here on Koh Samui, I felt more than comfortable trusting the recommendation. My confidence was further solidified once I met Kathryn, the course instructor, and Rosanne, her business partner. I was impressed by both their presence and their professionalism.

The course is four weeks long with classes held Monday through Friday from 9 am to around 3 pm. It's run out of a home in Choeng Mon from a small intimate (air-conditioned!) classroom downstairs. There's a comfortable sala to relax in during break times, a pool right out back and a kitchen for student use. It's best to bring your own computer but the course does provide computers and printers in the sala area. Accommodations with reasonable prices are available right next door.

The days were filled with lessons on grammar, teaching tips, Thai culture, demo lessons, and lesson planning for teaching practicums (done outside the course at local schools). Although you may find yourself quite busy with coursework, you can still find time to enjoy the beach and local attractions. Make sure you make an effort to do so, as there's so much to see and experience on this beautiful island.

If you're expecting this experience to be a cakewalk, you've signed up for the wrong course. You definitely earn the certification and you paid for it, so be thankful. Overall, the course exceeded my expectations. I found the instructor Kathryn had a wealth of knowledge that she was eager to share with her students, which made for a productive learning environment. It was professionally run and ultimately beneficial to my new careers as an ESL teacher. Highly recommend it!