Bali - 4-week 140-hour intensive TEFL / TESOL course

Each of us embark on a personal journey for purposes that either help us to remedy our current situations, or to give us a purpose for our future aspirations. When deciding where to begin my TEFL journey, I was drawn to Samui purely by the lure of the relaxed Island lifestyle, which is also complemented by beautiful beaches, climate, and a relatively low population density. I am so thankful that I made the right decision choosing Samui TEFL, and am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of this course. My only regret is that I didn’t make the choice to come sooner!
Samui TEFL has given me an extremely strong foundation to begin my journey as an English Language Teacher. I have no doubt that in years to come, I will still be making references to the broad range of knowledge that I have learnt on the course. Kathryn is an extremely competent trainer, who shares her invaluable knowledge and experiences with all. This ensures trainees are made fully aware of what to expect in real Thai classrooms and language schools. Each lesson, activity, and task is meticulously planned to equip us as ‘teacher trainees’, with a ‘toolbox’ of skills and techniques that are easily transferrable to classroom situations. Nothing is without a purpose!
For myself personally, the most beneficial part of the course was going into classrooms and teaching. Essentially putting all the knowledge and skills we had acquired to use. This gives a great insight to what it will be like teaching in a Thai school. Although at first, I found even the thought of this extremely daunting, my confidence grew as I became more familiar with the course content and applications of teaching techniques. I had faith in, and knew that all the information and advice that had been given to us by Kathryn and Ashleigh, was set up in a way to ensure we would all succeed. I am still amazed that in just 4 (intense) weeks, I was able to learn so much information, and was able to develop different personal attributes.
I could go on… but in summary I am so happy with how the course panned out. Kathryn and Ashleigh are both so supportive, helpful, and knowledgeable and I couldn’t be more grateful to them both for getting me to a level where I now have belief that I can be a competent, and effective teacher. Before coming to Thailand, in one of my previous office roles, my favourite part of the job was going home, or that the chair would swing around 😂. Now I am living in Phuket, listening to Thai children who are adopting a Kiwi accent, 10 minutes from the most beautiful beaches and living my Island dream 😃
Thank you Samui TEFL

I did my TEFL last year in the end of January, honestly it was one of the best experiences. Not only was Kathryn extremely professional, but she was also an excellent teacher!!! She taught me new techniques which I still use in my classes today! Don't expect to chill during this course, no you work hard, BUT its all worth it. So when you walk into a Thai school you are ready and fully prepared! The program is situated in Choen Mong in Koh Samui, paradise is one word to describe it! We worked hard during the week and weekends got to have the island holiday! With regards to jobs, Kathryn and Rosanne helped a lot and after job hunting for a week or so my friend and I had jobs and were sorted out!

Overall everyone PLEASE do your TEFL with Samui TEFL it s worth every penny !!!

I am so grateful to have been apart of the Samui TEFL program. This class allowed me to gain essential teaching skills in order to teach English to non native English speakers while creating strong friendships I would hold with me throughout my time teaching abroad in Thailand.

When I first arrived I had no idea what to expect and was honestly quite nervous, however, from the first day of class all my nerves were settled. Through daily classes and multiple teaching demos I was able to gain real life experience and the confidence I would need to teach a class of my own.

Kathryn gave me important tools and techniques to use to be the most effective teacher I can be. She is extremely helpful, kind, knowledgeable and was a great resource while creating lesson plans of my own.

Samui TEFL laid down the foundation I would need to teach Kindergarten in Bangkok and I can't imagine trying to do it without them!

I arrived in Koh Samui not knowing what to expect from the upcoming course. 30 minutes into day 1 and I was already happy with my choice in Samui TEFL! Before my arrival I corresponded with Rosanne who was incredibly prompt with her replies and super helpful with all kinds of questions I had - TEFL related and otherwise. Kathryn is the course leader and has years and years of experience in the field; you couldn't ask for a better teacher! Ashleigh is possibly the most organised person I have ever met, she helps with organising the practicals and always has an answer to any questions.
Do not take this course if your intention is to slack off... it is very intense. You get given homework almost every day, have class tests, have to make (what seems like endless) resources and have a diary to write once a week. It sounds a lot, and it is, but you get to work as a team and have fun with it! By the end of the four weeks my group and I were very close to each other; exploring the island, going to the beach and eating out together were things we did a lot. Samui TEFL even organise an island tour on your first weekend - a great way to get to know your surroundings and your new classmates.
Teacher practicals (TPs) happen in week 2, 3 and 4. Everyone preps for the lessons together and spends time after class to make the resources. The day of your first TP is filled with nerves, but once you get into the class room the feeling is amazing and it all seems to come together. The good thing about Samui TEFL is that you have a certain amount of TPs to complete, but almost every one is with a different age group. Adults - Thai and other nationalities - and a range of children. This gives you an idea of which age group you'd prefer to teach in the future.
Samui TEFL gives you a stationary pack, folder with lots of useful paperwork inside, access to printing and resources (paint etc) and a USB that has all the documents you can ever need. Ashleigh helps you with your CV and tailors it to how a Thai employer would like it. An agent even came in to speak to us and by the end of his visit, most of us had been offered jobs. The USB has a list of agents (and ones to avoid) who work with you to get work.
If you're thinking about doing your TEFL in Thailand, Samui TEFL is the one to choose. You live in a beautiful location for 4 weeks with people who will become your close friends, and have access to amazing mentors who are happy to help with anything. The course is intense, but so worth it. Many things are included that may not be in other courses (teaching and classroom management techniques, CV help, agent access etc).

I am so grateful to Kathryn and Rosanne for the opportunity I had with them at Samui TEFL. It was the most amazing experience and not only helped me to become more confident but also taught me essential classroom skills.
The course was well structured and had lots of different elements to it, I really enjoyed the diary entry element as it now gives me something to look back on. I'm sure I learnt more studying for the tests over the course of the 4 weeks than I ever did at school!
I loved working in groups to plan lessons and it was great teaching with a partner as it took away some of the pressure, everyone was so supportive of one another and we had a lovely small family! The location is fantastic, I never thought I'd be attending school on an island! Who doesn't to chill out at the beach after school or on the weekends.
The support you receive looking for jobs and after the course has finished is also what makes Kathryn and Rosanne so excellent and I'd 11/10 recommend Samui TEFL to anyone who wants to complete a TEFL course.

I had the chance to do a TEFL course a few years ago, didn't do it, and regretted my decision ever since. So when I finally decided to go for it, I'm so glad I found Samui TEFL! As soon as I got in touch with Rosanne, I had all my questions answered and so much support all the way through the whole course. I did my class in January 2017 and I am now living and working in Chachoengsao about and hour outside of Bangkok and still know that I can always count on my teacher Kathryn if I would need any help. Kathryn is an absolute fabulous teacher and knows what she is talking about. The course is jam packed with so much to learn and a quite a bit of work but so worth it in the end. I feel way more prepared from taking this course, so when I got a teaching job teaching Kindergarten with 30 kids I felt nervous but prepared. I had tons of ideas to use from class and learned classroom management techniques that were SO SO helpful! Kathryn and Ashleigh were helpful outside of class as well, helping us learn about Thai culture, telling us where the good beaches are, and helping us organize an island hopping day. Also Ashleigh helped us with our resumes and finding jobs starting the 2nd week of the course. I have made some lifelong friends from this course and I know will enjoy a lifetime of adventure! Best decision ever! If you are thinking about it- just go for it! You won't be disappointed!

Upon graduating university in 2015, I applied to the Samui TEFL program on a whim as a young 22 year old. I booked a one-way plane ticket and headed to Thailand for what I thought would be just 6 short months. I honestly had no idea what to expect and I had no real expectations.

On the first day of class I remember the atmosphere feeling so relaxed and it made me feel so confident in my decision to go to Thailand and to go through Samui TEFL. Kathryn was so welcoming and professional, everything was organized and communicaton was great. I met some of the greatest friends who, two years later I still talk to on a weekly basis!

After teaching in Thailand for a full year, I can still say today that choosing Samui TEFL was the best decision I made to begin my journey in Thailand. I could never have walked into a classroom of 37 Thai 5 year olds without the experience Samui TEFL gave me.

Kathryn and I are still in touch today and I know she would help me with anything!

I was 35 years old living in Philadelphia when I decided to turn my life completely upside down. I had great friends, a nice apartment, a good job with a promotion on the horizon but something was missing. I wanted to travel, really travel. My 9-5, Mon-Fri job would not allow that and I needed to make a change. When I researched living and working abroad I came across TEFL and knew that was the answer. I spoke with friends then friends of friends, and found someone who took Samui TEFL and highly recommended it. It is overwhelming finding a credible TELF course. There are so many out there that are not going to prepare you the way Samui TELF does. The instructor Kathryn is very knowledgeable, engaging and fun. It is hard to imagine sitting in a classroom for 6 hours learning about grammar when the beach is a 2 minute walk away. Kathryn somehow manages to keep your attention. The teacher practicums are terrifying and the most fun! I was so scared for my first one and when it was finished I could not wait until the next one. Practicing with real students is extremely important and beneficial to course. Do NOT do an online course, you will miss out on working with real students. Samui TEFL gives you a solid base to start off of as a new teacher however, you will be putting in a lot of work along the way. My biggest piece of advice is to ask a lot of questions in class, then ask more. You will not be alone, everybody in class will be thinking the same thing "what did I get myself into?" the answer is "the most exciting adventure of your life"! Kathryn will be there for you every step of the way. She will give you additional resources and put in contact with others. Samui TEFL brings in a recruiter one day that you can openly ask any question you want about job searching. My Samui TEFL class had 22 students in and on 2 day, I had 22 amazing friends. The course is intense with a lot of work and studying however, you are not alone. Samui TEFL does more than teach you how to lesson plan and grammar structure. It provides you an environment that prepares you for the adventure of your life. I have a great job at a school that I love but, more importantly because of Samui TEFL, I have a family in Thailand that is there to support me and travel the world with me!