For the past 5 years I have recommended TEFL Heaven as a TEFL course you can take inside Thailand.
Over that time, I have kept in close contact with the company and its CEO, Mike, and many of my readers have taken their course.
Their continued professionalism in terms of customer service, course training, and job placement makes TH a very good choice for those seeking to teach English abroad.
This review will tell you everything you need to know about the TEFL Heaven program, including eligibility requirements, course content, location information, pricing and more.
Contents
About the Company
Registered in England, and a member of Social Enterprise UK – a collective of companies committed to promoting ethical business, as opposed to blindly chasing profit, – TEFL Heaven is one of the fastest growing TEFL certification companies.
With 10+ years of successful recruitment, placement and TEFL certification under their belts, TEFL Heaven has a solid experience recruiting interested teachers and placing them in 11 different paying teaching programs around the globe.
The company operates 11 programs in 10 different countries, including programs in Thailand and one each in China (Shanghai), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), the Czech Republic (Prague), Spain (Madrid), Argentina (Buenos Aires), Costa Rica (Manuel Antonio), Guatemala (Antigua), Mexico (Puerto Vallarta) and Peru (Cusco).
For this review I'll obviously be focussing on the Thailand program.
Course Information
TEFL Heaven offers a 120-hour TEFL course covering everything you need to know about teaching English and living in Thailand.
Training takes place over four weeks in the tropical location of Hua Hin, after which TEFL Heaven will place you in a school in Thailand, based on your individual preferences.
You are given a choice of the age groups (of the children) you'd like to work with.
You'll participate in a 4-week on-site training course and cultural orientation in Hua Hin.
This program comes with the assurance that TEFL Heaven has never failed to place a teacher at a school. Expected salary is between 30,000 – 40,000 THB per month.
TEFL Heaven also offers a TEFL course for those without a degree, but the job guarantees are not the same, so enquire within if you fall into that category.
Eligibility to Apply
Native Speakers
Native English Speakers (NES) are defined as anyone whose first language is English and has a passport from the UK, Ireland, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
South Africans are not considered NES by the Thai government and an English proficiency test (either the TOEIC, TOEFL or IELTS) is required for South African applicants.
NES are generally preferred as teachers, but it is possible for non native speakers to get hired.
Native English Speakers with a Bachelor’s degree are guaranteed by TEFL Heaven to find a paid job in Thailand after the TEFL certification.
Non Native:
There is an optional 3-week TEFL course for non-native English Speakers, but this does not come with the job guarantee.
Course Dates:
The Paid Internships Thailand program runs throughout the year.
Start dates are flexible but they recommend applying between 3-12 months before your desired start date so that you can get support with accommodation, visas and training placements before you travel.
+ Get More Info on TEFL Heaven Here
TEFL Heaven graduates with their certificates.
Location
TEFL Heaven runs its programs in Hua Hin but guaranteed job placements for the internship program are located all over Thailand.
You may have read that they offer courses in Phuket too, but this changed after the 2020 pandemic caused disruption to the course schedule.
This may return in the future, but for now it is just Hua Hin.
What is Hua Hin Like?
Hua Hin is a lovely town, just 2 hours from Bangkok. I have been there a number of times.
It's fairly quiet compared with Bangkok or touristy destinations such as Pattaya or Phuket, but it has everything you need, including beaches, malls, restaurants, bars, markets and great countryside.
It's a wonderful place to get acquainted with Thailand. If you're a young person then you'll probably want to move on from here once you have finished your course, and TEFL Heaven will help you do that with their job placement scheme.
The reason I say that is because it's quite a sleepy town. There is nightlife and bars but you may prefer either the 24-7 Bangkok lifestyle or the allure of the Southern Islands.
What Qualification Will I Receive?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding the types of TEFL certifications and what each means.
TEFL certifications are either CELTA, CertTESOL or TEFL/TESOL. The first two, CELTA and CertTESOL, are accredited by prestigious universities in England- namely Cambridge and Trinity.
This type of certification is typically quite expensive and pursued by more career-orientated teachers.
TEFL/TESOL certificates are much cheaper and generally for those who may be looking to teach short/medium term, as opposed to someone who wishes to make teaching their career.
If you aren't sure you'll still be in teaching in 5-10 years time, then TEFL is perfect for you.
With the certification from TEFL Heaven, participants are qualified to teach English all over the world.
What Are My Job Prospects After the Course?
The Paid Internship program guarantees a job placement following completion.
With the TEFL Certification program, TEFL Heaven promises their assistance in finding you employment. If you have a bachelor’s degree, TEFL Heaven guarantees employment.
What Other Countries Could I Teach in?
Your TEFL Heaven certification will provide you with the opportunity to apply for jobs in the following countries:
- China
- Vietnam
- Czech Republic
- Spain, Peru
- Mexico
- Argentina
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Pricing:
The Paid Internship in Thailand fees are 1,997 USD.
You'll receive a 120 hr accredited TEFL certificate, a guaranteed teaching job, full time assistance, visa help and accommodations for the 4-week TEFL certification period.
What Visa Will I Need?
TEFL Heaven will assist you with obtaining a Thai visa.
You should get in contact with their customer service a good 2 months in advance of your course to get advice on the latest visa requirements.
You'll most likely enter on a tourist visa, which is very easy to obtain and can be applied for at a local Thai consulate prior to arrival in Thailand.
Accommodation & Settling In
TEFL Heaven will provide help and guidance in every step of your journey.
You won't have to worry about finding accommodation because you will get complimentary accommodation in Hua Hun during your onsite training course.
Once in Hua Hin, you will enjoy fun cultural activities, including Muay Thai, a cooking class, a Thai market visit, a temple visit, and animal rescue centre visit.
How Can I Apply?
Interested applicants can apply through the TEFL Heaven website, and it's fairly straightforward:
Simply answer a few questions and fill out the on-site application form. If your application is successful you'll be contacted for an interview.
5 Benefits of Studying on Location vs Online
You're probably weighing up whether to do an online course from home or to catch that plane to Thailand and do one on location with other students.
While sipping coffee in front of your computer at home is appealing, there are some great benefits to on-location training.
Here are 5 to consider.
- Focus: Studying on-location can be far more motivating than studying online. You are more likely to study harder with the knowledge that your job placement is just around the corner.
- Friends: Studying on location will allow you to make friends who will be located in the region. Whereas studying for a TEFL online is a bit isolating.
- Support: One of the benefits of an on-location program is the immediate support you’ll receive from program leaders, something you may have to wait for with an online program.
- Experience: TEFL Heaven offers an 8 hour practicum portion of the TEFL certification that allows teachers to try their skills in a real classroom. This kind of preparation is invaluable and something you won't get online.
- Culture Shock: Studying on location provides you with a gradual ‘ease-in,’ allowing you to experience the culture in a safe and comfortable environment. This is far easier than diving in straight off the plane, like those with an online certification have to do.
TEFL Heaven, in Summary
TEFL Heaven is an excellent option if you are considering a teaching position in Thailand and want hands-on experience of teaching children before you start.
Unlike many TEFL programs, you can't just apply and pay immediately, either. You have to be accepted after an interview.
This shows that the company is serious about taking on students who are right a good fit for the course and will be eligible for a job when they finish.
Additionally, you will receive comprehensive support on everything from visa applications, flights, accommodation, and of course your job placement post your course.
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Please note that if you'd rather study in Chiang Mai, my TEFL recommendation for this province can be read about here.