Teach Explore Asia (XploreAsia)

In the shadows.

Submitted by Teresa - Surat Thani | August 12, 2017

Teaching in Thailand through Xploreasia is an experience of a lifetime. From briefing on the first day in Bangkok to our orientation week in Hua Hin, it was all just breath taking. The people that represent Xploreasia (including their adorable rescue dog, Pudding) clearly know how hard it can be to move away from home. They include you in their own family and embrace you through culture shock. When I had finished my TESOL in Hua Hin and I was sent to my placement, I experience a major wave of culture shock. (How could you not when you have to leave such incredibly welcoming people.)
However, numerous phone calls from Jon and messages from Natalie at placements, I was feeling better.
Then, I remembered the story Jon had told us about his first placement. And he said "we will only give you what we know you can handle," and he was right. I've fallen in love with my city, and I've found my home in Thailand.
So I'd like to say, thank you xploreasia.

Program: XploreAsia TESOL / TEFL in Thailand - Hua Hin

Elated alum

Submitted by Jim Coryelle - Chiang MAi Thailand | August 07, 2017

Great experience. The Staff go out of their way to help in any way they can, even if it means thinking outside of the box. The teaching staff are amazing. They will do whatever it takes to make sure you grasp the material fully. Our teacher Jaco was a real gem. He was well informed, supportive, and responsive both in and out of the classroom. Our class was encouraged to work together. In the end we all came away with a group of new friends that continue to support each other

Program: XploreAsia TESOL / TEFL in Thailand - Hua Hin

My best year

Submitted by Erin Sexton - Chicago United States | May 23, 2017

My experience teaching in Thailand was incredible. It was overwhelming and scary at first, of course, but everyone at XploreAsia, the Thai people, and the other expat teachers made the experience more than I ever could have hoped. Now that I say that, remind me again why I'm not still in Thailand? :)
Reflecting back on my year in Thailand, I am very grateful that I did my TESOL training in Hua Hin, instead of completing the course in the states before arriving. It provided the necessary time to acclimate to a new country, to make friends, and to get a better feel for how our TESOL skills would translate in the classroom. That being said, the TESOL training and the orientation program can't teach you everything, but what they do teach is how you can adapt the tools to have to make them work at your school and in your community. This adaptability is the most important skill I learned, and even though it isn't always an explicit lesson, it's ingrained in almost everything you are taught.
I was lucky enough to be placed in a city with a small community of expat teachers already in place and to have that was extremely comforting and very fun! But while having some built it friends was great, I really relied on the fact that I knew XploreAsia would always have my back if I ever had a question or concern about my placement or my school. I used their resources, I restructured their TESOL lessons to work with my students, and I relied on my orientation group (and the XploreAsia Facebook page) for moral support often.
I know the experience I had in Thailand would've been incredibly different if I had gone through this program and I feel very lucky that my time in Thailand was as wonderful as it was.

Program: XploreAsia TESOL / TEFL in Thailand - Hua Hin

An unforgettable, incredible experience!

Submitted by Julianne Tierney - Pranburi Thailand | May 15, 2017

It was nerve-wracking to make the decision to leave home and move to a new country to teach English but XploreAsia replaced all my trepidation with excitement and confidence! I have been living and teaching in Thailand for the past 7 months and couldn't be happier with my choice. XploreAsia provided endless support prior to coming to Thailand, invaluable teaching preparation, personalized placement meetings to help place me in a job best suited for me, and unending support after I was placed in a school. This program goes above and beyond in making sure participants are well-prepared and confident going into their own classrooms. I found the continued support after being placed in my school to be one of the most positive aspects of my experience as the XploreAsia staff is happy to help and well-informed in regards to Thai life and culture. I cannot recommend this program enough, if you're looking to embark upon a life changing and growing experience then don't hesitate. Wonderful things are waiting for you!

Program: XploreAsia TESOL / TEFL in Thailand - Hua Hin

Teaching teenagers

Submitted by Imogen Akela Nicoll - Johannesburg South Africa | May 15, 2017

I was sent to a high school in Sisaket where I taught approximately 850 students per week. If you are looking for an easy job, then teaching abroad is not for you. You will work hard, you will sweat, you will occasionally want to kill your students but believe me when I say it is worth it. When your students are struggling with a concept and finally get said concept, you are beyond excited. When they yell out to you around the school just to say hi, you will trust that you are in the right place. Teaching is hard work but it is rewarding work. Make it fun, for both you and your students and you will have fewer bad days than good ones.

Program: XploreAsia TESOL / TEFL in Thailand - Hua Hin