XploreAsia 120 Hour TESOL in Thailand & Online

It has been four years and 2 months since I left my hometown of West Chester, PA, boarded a plane at Philadelphia International Airport, and traveled 23 hours from Boston to Dubai and then to Bangkok. I traveled to Thailand to teach, and I intended to stay for only six months. Instead, I stayed an entire year, and was tempted to remain there even longer in my tiny town in the Northwest corner of the country. In Thailand, I explored myself, I explored people, and I explored a culture that was, at times, bewilderingly different from my own. It was, simply put, one of the best years of my life, and XploreAsia put me in position to experience it.

Upon landing in Bangkok, I was shepherded, along with a group of my fellow travelers, to a small corner of that living city, to a tiny hotel on a tiny street with an incomprehensible name. Since our rooms wouldn't be ready for another hour or so, a group of us dropped our bags in the lobby and headed out into the surrounding streets and the sweltering heat. To a pasty American from the Northeast, it was initially intolerable. By the end of my year there, I grew to love the warmth and the near constant sweating.

That was our first adventure. The next would come later that night while, teaming up with many of the same people, we launched into the Bangkok night on Tuk-Tuks, frantic little buggies which careened through the labyrinthine streets of Bangkok and the Tetris-like traffic. After a night on the infamous Khaosan Road, it was time for much needed rest. The next day, we would begin our two hour journey to Hua-Hin, the site of our TESOL course.

Being a coastal town on the Gulf of Thailand and an attractor to farang tourists and Thais alike, Hua Hin was the perfect landing zone for a group of foreigners finding themselves thrust into the streets of a place that was very different from home. Upon arrival, we were taken to our accommodations. Some of our 70+ group stayed in a series of little cottages closer to the beach, while others of us stayed in a hotel a little outside of town called Glory Place. I was in the latter, fortunate to have a pool and a small gym all on the hotel grounds. Outside our walls, a little village laid host to a favorite restaurant of mine, a little shop where I would drink and eat with the locals, and a beautiful temple atop a nearby hill, perfect for viewing the sunset.

That month in country, from April 1st to the 29th, was a whirlwind. I met countless wonderful people, both Thai and of the Western world, and learned how to teach English as a foreign language with a small group of my peers. The coursework was substantial, but not overly challenging. Our greatest hurdle was submitting ourselves to the vulnerability needed to teach in front of our peers and hear their feedback. By the course's end, this environment forged a strong bond between us all. For many of us, this bond would last throughout our year in country, as well as the years since we have returned home.

In that month there was partying, of course, but there was adventure to and exploration of some truly remarkable places. We took a day trip to Phraya Nakhon Cave, a day hike up and into a sheer cliff on a scenic coastline of white sands and shimmering, turquoise ocean. Inside the cliff, in a world-sized cave with an opening in its ceiling and sunlight pouring through, a small altar to an ancient temple. Add to this trips to the local mall, an elephant sanctuary, an island populated with monkeys and an abandoned Buddhist monastery, and a pineapple farm, the price of taking the course in country is worth its cost. Without a doubt, spending that first month soaking in the sights and sounds of Thailand proved indispensable.

By the end of April, the XploreAsia staff had set us up with a school and accommodation somewhere in the country. They did their best to accommodate our desires and wants, and you would do well to limit your expectations. As one of the XploreAsia staff members related to us within the first week, "you may not get the experience that you want, but you will get the experience that you need."

Being a reasonably open minded person, I was able to get both. In the first few days of May, I arrived in Tak, my quaint little town in the Northwest of Thailand, settled in a valley surrounded by hills and nestled alongside a river. There I would live a life that, years later, appears to be that of someone else's: a novel, quiet, and remarkable life marked by adventure and simplicity.

My journey after that is long and too much to relay to you here. But what I can tell you is that XploreAsia, and subsequently Thailand and my experience there-in, was a means to profound personal growth. Without my experience with XploreAsia, I would not have been armed with the tools necessary to navigate that beautiful and befuddling Eastern world, and more importantly, the perspective and sense to navigate my own here at home.

So, go ahead. Explore Asia. Explore yourself.

Due to extensive experience of bad luck with many courses affiliated to different fields of interest i was very weary when first enrolling on this program back in April 2018. However the company has completely changed my way of thinking. based on an astonishing customer service approach.
Not only was I welcomed warmly on day one, and supported the entire duration of my course.....The company has gone beyond expectation assisting me further, a year on from training,
swift response to emails. good explanation in times of delay. very approachable warm and friendly..........
The course itself was very thorough. every key component explained in depth. the instructors want you to pass....I am dyslexic though passed with ease due to the kind and supportive nature of trainees. Never be afraid to ask questions ( i am a bit shy in that department)
I had a million questions regarding visas etc. the team are experts on everything...very knowledgeable and explain things thoroughly....
I would recommend Xplore asia to everyone.....having spoken to fellow teachers THEY TOLD ME THEY WISH THE HELL THEY HAD DONE TOO REASON BEING.....THERE WAS CRITICAL INFORMATION THEY WISH THEY HAD OBTAINED....THAT XPORE ASIA STUDENTS WERE BLESSED WITH.
In a nutshell 150 value for money

XploreAsia was one of the best experiences of my life. From the first minutes at the airport to the moment you go off to your placement, the staff is there to help with all needs. The cultural course and TESOL training are world-class, and the family atmosphere is very welcoming to all participants. I went through the course in April and it was amazing to be part of the Thai New Year.
Moving to a new country can be difficult but having the support of a good company, like XploreAsia, is crucial to a smooth transition.
The best parts for me were the adventures, learning the culture and language, adapting to a different environment, and making lifelong friends. The experience changed my life and it was the impetus to get my Master's degree in education and continue to work abroad.

If you want to have top notch guidance on the absolute adventure of a lifetime, contact XploreAsia.

I actually participated in the marketing internship at XploreAsia instead of the TESOL course. This experience allowed me to understand the back end of the company and all of the different programs to teach abroad. I learned a lot about each of the different countries that they place teachers in and the difference between each culture. This was the perfect opportunity to develop my marketing skills in an international setting. I wrote five blog posts to help potential teachers understand what XploreAsia offers. I also created instagram highlight stories for each program to feature teachers and aspects of the program. As far as the logistics of the program goes I didn’t have any trouble with the application process or the visa. The staff was always super friendly and helpful and answered any questions I might have. I’ve travelled before but I found it quite easy to adjust into my new routine working in Thailand. Overall, I had the best experience!

I was a part of the 2017 Sept/Oct intake and I had a really awesome experience. I did a lot of research, and if you're in that process of researching right now I'll make it easy for you. XploreAsia is the BEST program you will find. They have so many connections within the country, which always made me feel like I was in good hands. The cultural orientation is a great way to get a feel for Thailand, and you'll meet so many people that are just as nervous and excited as you. The course itself isn't easy but you learn a lot and they will not let you graduate until you feel confident teaching a class in Thailand, so don't worry if you've never worked with kids or you feel like you won't be prepared. As long as you've got the heart and motivation you'll be fine! GO FOR IT. You won't regret it.

I loved my experience with XploreAsia in Thailand. I met 30 new life-long friends during my orientation and TESOL course, which was held in Hua Hin. I think XploreAsia is unique because it provides some cultural and language instruction coupled with the TESOL course. This was really beneficial to my success as a teacher and to my experience as a whole. Communication was top-notch and placement was easy to navigate. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone thinking of teaching abroad in Asia. Post-Thailand, I feel like my perspective on each blade of grass is different. I appreciate my life more and see the possibilities in every little thing.

I had an absolutely amazing experience with XploreAsia. From my first day in Thailand the program did absolutely everything possible to make me feel welcome and secure. The TESOL course was very helpful and well prepared me for teaching. The entire staff at XploreAsia took a personal interest in us and wanted to ensure our total comfort and success as foreign teachers. After I received my TESOL certification I was assigned to an agent through the company BFITS. I have nothing but stellar things to say about BFITS as well. I met with my agent, Angel, in person in Bangkok. She walked me through every step of my contract and made sure I knew exactly what was expected of me. BFITS prepared me in every way possible with supplies and methods to begin teaching. They remained in contact with me throughout my teaching experience and even checked up on me once I was settled. BFITS felt like a family and I was thrilled to work for them.

At 20 I decided to move to go live and work in Thailand and it was one of the best experiences of my life! I made best friends, life long memories and stepped into a career I had never even thought of doing! I taught at a kindergarten and every day since being home I miss my kiddies! Since returning to my home country I been plotting and planning the next country i'm going to go live in and I have nobody to thank but XploreAsia! They made every step along the way easy and stress free, supporting you the entire time. They are aware that there's a 99% chance you've never done anything like this before and are there to support you the entire time! Even since leaving Thailand, any questions I have or favours I need they help me in every way they can and I couldn't appreciate it more!