About Us
About Destination TEFL
Destination TEFL, Koh Samui started in 2011 as Samui TEFL, on the beautiful island of Koh Samui, Thailand. But Destination TEFL is all about ideal destinations – destinations to do your TEFL/TESOL course, as well as destinations to teach English.
With this in mind, we opened our next training centre in Cambodia – a land where ancient and modern worlds collide to create a unique destination.
As Bali is on most people’s SE Asia travel bucket list – this was our next TEFL course destination, ideally located in the beach resort town of Sanur.
Koh Samui closed at the start of the pandemic, but now, we are pleased to announce that we are back in Thailand, with a new training centre opening in Bangkok in November 2021!
Choose to do your TEFL/TESOL course in:
- Siem Reap, Cambodia
- Bali, Indonesia
- Bangkok, Thailand
At any location you’ll find the same quality 140-hour TEFL/TESOL course with highly skilled and passionate trainers, and teacher practicums in local schools, businesses and NGOs. Rest assured that you’ll be in great hands – our TEFL trainers are highly skilled and have years of experience in education.
Our Mission Statement
To improve the level of ESL teachers across Southeast Asia by offering Internationally recognized and accredited TEFL certificate training onsite in Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Destination TEFL is in collaboration
Destination TEFL is pleased to announce a new collaboration
Destination TEFL offers TEFL/TESOL courses in academic collaboration with Asian College of Teachers (ACT), Asia’s largest teacher training body with 30,000 alumni and 600 schools associations across Asia.
What is it and why is it important?
When you’re getting started in TEFL and deciding which certification to take, one thing to keep in mind is whether or not the course provider is accredited.
So first of all, what is TEFL accreditation and what does it involve?
TEFL accreditation is a form of quality assurance. An external organisation comes up with a set of standards which it believes providers should adhere to in order to deliver a quality training program.
The biggest problem with the TEFL industry is the lack of regulation. Anyone can create a TEFL course, market and sell it.
Inevitably, this means that there are hundreds of courses to choose from, many of which are low quality. Some are even created as a means of exploiting badly informed potential trainees, with hollow promises of high quality training at rock bottom prices. So you can start to see why having a reputable, high quality accreditation behind a course can help both you and the training centre.
- According to the Memorandum of Association as a registered company in Cambodia, license no 00051068, Destination T.E.F.L Training Co., Ltd. is registered as the following:1. 852 – Secondary education 85211 Lower secondary education 85212 Upper secondary education 2. 853 – Higher education 85301 College and university education (Private) (7) 3. 854 – Other Education 85495 Other non-degree vocational and technical training (5) PROOF OF REGISTRATION – https://opencorporates.com/companies/kh/00051068
- All Destination TEFL graduates receive a joint certification with the Asian College of Teachers (ACT) who is accredited by the Accreditation Service for International Schools, Colleges and Universities (ASIC), UK, Education Quality Accreditation Commission (EQAC), Spain and their TEFL course is endorsed by TESOL Canada, Canada and NCC, Education, UK.
- All Destination TEFL alumni enjoy free access to an exclusive teachers job portal www.teachersjobworld.com to apply to 100’s of jobs globally.
- All Destination TEFL alumni are awarded with a certificate with a unique identification number which can then be verified by prospective employers on the Asian College of Teachers website.
- It can ensure that you are receiving good quality training that has met the standards imposed by the accrediting body.
- Accreditation may increase the chance that your TEFL certification will be recognised and trusted when it comes to finding a job. The majority of employers will only consider applicants whose TEFL certification meets some minimum standards. Many employers, for example, require a course that is at least 100 hours in length and includes at least 6 hours of observed teaching practice. Accreditation from a body that sets these standards is one way for providers to give this guarantee to its trainees (it should be noted that our Destination TEFL courses are 140 hours).
- You can look at accreditation as a form of protection. It is protection for yourself, to ensure that you aren’t being exploited by a shady TEFL course provider, and therefore to ensure that you aren’t throwing your hard-earned money down the drain on a low quality, untrusted or unrecognised course.
- It is protection for your future employers, who need to know that they are recruiting teachers who have received quality training.
- And it is protection for your students, who have the right to expect their English language trainer to be well qualified.
Some of the advantages that might come from taking an accredited TEFL course:
Before making your decision, you should also look at the team who will be doing the actual training on the course, and what qualifications and experience they have. They should not only have suitable qualifications, but also experience teaching in different situations. Be wary of any TEFL company which does not mention who will be doing the training as often unqualified and inexperienced trainers are hired. Meet the Destination TEFL team here.
Reviews from graduates on an independent review site, (not the TEFL provider’s own website) are also a good indication of the quality of a course. Destination TEFL is proud of their over 150 verified reviews, at an average rating of 99% on GoOverseas.
Does the TEFL training centre incorporate teacher pracs with REAL students in a real classroom situation? Often, TEFL schools say they do teacher pracs, but they use the students themselves and do ‘peer teaching’. Teaching your peers is NOT the same and lessons with non-native English speakers. Quality feedback should also be provided after each teacher prac so that you can improve for the next lesson. Follow the TEFL school on social media to see if they go out to schools for their pracs.
About the TEFL course
The accredited TEFL course in Siem Reap – Cambodia, Bali and Bangkok is 140 hours, over 4 weeks, and additional hours will need to be done in your own time for resourcing, studying and planning. Your accredited TEFL certificate indicates that it includes observed practical lessons – this is the preferred requirement for schools worldwide, and they are now reluctant to accept online courses or the shorter 60-hr courses. You receive your certificate on the last day of the course, along with a letter of recommendation and a detailed report to show prospective employers.
All of the learning is done hands-on through games and interactive activities. You will never just be lectured to, but will always be involved in every lesson. The theory in the TEFL/TESOL course is presented by the trainer using games, and strategies and activities that you will then be able to use in your own teaching, allowing you to build your portfolio of activities and teaching tools from day one. Your observed teacher practicums will start from week two, when you’ll be able to apply these techniques yourself.
We limit our numbers in our TEFL/TESOL course to small groups, so that we can offer personal assistance with lesson planning and any area you may need help with such as grammar etc. Our practical training includes both youth and adult lessons, at various schools, businesses and NGOs. Should your course be over a school holiday, we’ll use the same children, but teach them in the form of a summer camp.
Class times are generally from 9am to 4pm, but may vary depending on teacher pracicums and other activities.
Students will also enjoy a day of culture and local activities, which may vary depending on the season and location.
What will I learn on the TEFL/TESOL course?
The following areas/subjects are covered during your 4 weeks of TEFL/TESOL training at Destination TEFL/TESOL:
- An introduction to South East Asian culture – to help your transition into the local classroom and community.
- Teaching techniques – we provide you with models to teach beginners as well as advanced students, young learners and adults
- Teaching the four skills of language: speaking, listening, reading and writing Planning a course for special purposes (such as for a business)
- Grammar – brushing up yours as a teacher, and techniques to teach grammar
- Phonics
- Creating materials for lessons
- Lesson planning
- Suitable activities for the language classroom
- Discipline in the classroom
- Building rapport with your students, including warmers and coolers in the classroom.
- Classroom management, covering all aspects of Teaching one-to-one, as well as larger classes
- Teaching vocabulary
- Understanding problems for Asian learners (understanding the differences between their language and English) as well as for other key languages, such as Spanish and Russian.
- Error correction techniques
- Preparing your CV/resumé, and tips for the interview process
- Teaching business English
Teaching practicums and assignments:
- You will have the opportunity to conduct several full lessons (teacher practicums). These are observed by a trainer, and detailed and constructive feedback is given to you after each lesson, to help you improve for your next TEFL lesson, and your career to follow. (You will get an opportunity to teach both young learners and adults). Our qualified TEFL trainers will assist you with the lesson planning process.
- Materials project: Here you will present the materials used for lessons, to the class.
- A journal entry assignment
- Various lesson planning and group work assignments
- Various tests and tasks over the 4-week TEFL course, on grammar, punctuation and a few other aspects covered in class. We work with our teachers to adequately prepare them for these tests. All content of the tests is covered during the course.
NOTE: There is no final examination that determines your pass grade. Your final course result is determined by the combined marks of the assignments above, as well as on your participation and teamwork in class, attendance, and behaviour.
A grade of at least 70% is required in order to pass the course. More than 50% of this grade is made up of marks for teaching practicums.
Trainees are awarded either a ‘pass’, ‘merit’, ‘high merit’ or ‘distinction’. All graduates receive a report, and those who obtain merit or higher, are also presented with a personalised letter of reference.
Meet the team
Between the directors and our trainers, we have 50-plus years’ of experience in the TEFL and training business. All members of the Destination TEFL team have lived abroad – so they know what a daunting prospect it can be to take the plunge and start your TEFL adventure. You are in good hands…what’s your next destination going to be?
Kathryn Webb
Kathryn Webb is our head course director and co-owner of the school, and she’s highly qualified and tailored the course to what it is today. She left the USA 20 years ago to move to Italy. Not only does she have a degree in psychology, (great for some pointers on classroom management!) but also a DELTA (Diploma of English Language Training to Adults) as well as a CELTYL (Certificate of English Language Training to Young Learners), so is qualified to teach both adults and children. Prior to moving to Thailand, Kathryn owned a prestigious language school in Italy for nine years. Her company trained teachers, placing them in contracts to teach at Italy’s top fashion houses and other businesses. Her school also ran classes for children and adults at their own school. Kathryn prefers a hands-on, interactive approach, which engages the students. Not only are trainees taught with this mindset, but they are encouraged to do the same with their students. Kathryn spends her time between Bangkok and Siem Reap.
Willie Van
Loggerenberg
Willie van Loggerenberg is the 3rd partner in Destination TEFL and your go-to person in Siem Reap.
Being an experienced Key Accounts Manager with 15 years’ experience in the TEFL / TESOL industry as well as being the program developer and National manager for the teach abroad programs for South Africa’s oldest and largest Work & Travel organisation OVC, Willie is no stranger to TEFL and Gap Year programs and have visited and researched 21 countries.
He understands the integrate detail of being a partner, as well as the day to day recruiting processes for TEFL candidates. His experience has allowed me to deal with a number of international partners in both Southeast Asian and Latin America and is passionate about building good and lasting relationships.
Willie works on site in Siem Reap, involved with both training and placement, and is our centre manager combined with new business development worldwide.
Rose-anne Turner
Rose-Anne Turner runs the office with regards to admin and admissions, and is a co-owner of Destination TEFL. Rose-Anne and Kathryn have been in partnership for several years in Thailand with Samui TEFL. Rose-Anne is your first contact, and will answer your enquiry. Having lived in Thailand for 7 years and working at Samui TEFL, she is happy to answer every question you may have before booking your place, with regards to the course, teaching, Thailand, Cambodia and Asia in general – no question is too big or too small. Rosanne handles the ‘behind the scenes’ side of Destination TEFL, leaving Kathryn and Willie to be hands-on with the trainees.
Mitch & Guide
Mitch and Guide are world travellers, avid food enthusiasts, adventure junkies, and the owners of our Bangkok franchise!
Mitch has been involved in management and education for over 10 years, working on organisational development and leading leadership seminars in the United States, New Zealand, Nepal, and Peru, before moving to Thailand in 2017. After becoming TEFL certified, he spent a full year teaching elementary school in a small Isaan town in northern Thailand. He then moved to Bangkok and became an ESL consultant for one of the largest English language companies in the world before being moved into a management position, running a centre with 600+ students. His next mission is to train passionate, purposeful, and happy teachers who will go on to impact and change lives wherever they teach.
Guide is Bangkok born and raised, living much of her life right around the corner from our centre! An accomplished entrepreneur and business owner in Thailand, in 2014 she started 24th Cutting, a fashion business that has been in operation for almost a decade. In 2019 she entered into the tourism industry, building up some of the top-rated experiences in all of Thailand before the pandemic shut the industry down. Her business savvy and unique local knowledge of Bangkok helps to ensure a one-of-a-kind experience for our participants.
Mitch and Guide are bringing together their experience in education, tourism, and leadership to create a truly life-changing experience at Destination TEFL Bangkok.
Chiep Chy (Chy)
Chiep Chy is our general assistant and school network manager. Chy grew up in the Siem Reap province, about 60 kms from Siem Reap City. He earned his bachelor degree in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) at Build Bright University in 2016 and recently added a second TEFL certificate at Destination TEFL in November 2020 under his belt. From 2014 to 2017, he taught English to young and adult learners at ‘Khmer for Khmer Organization’ here in Siem Reap. Since 2017, he’s been an English-Speaking tour guide with a great knowledge of Cambodian history and also all the amazing tourist attractions in and around Siem Reap, as well as other provinces in Cambodia.
Chy joined the Destination TEFL team in Cambodia as the General Assistant and School Network Manager. He is responsible for building great relationships with all the international schools in Cambodia, and offers the Destination TEFL graduates placement assistance. He will soon become the Khmer teacher, offering short language courses to the Destination TEFL trainees and other expats in our city.
Georgie Snape
Georgie is a travel lover and adventure seeker who’s been teaching and travelling for the past nine years. She has eight years of teaching and training experience across three continents. She’s driven through Vietnam by motorbike for three months, volunteered in an orphanage in Thailand, lived in outback Australia for a year, experienced house sitting in New Zealand for a year, been on a wildlife tour in Madagascar, to the world book fair in India, backpacked around Cambodia and taught online on the tropical island of Phu Quoc, Vietnam.
She’s taught mainly in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam and Cambodia. She’s taught all levels of students and various types of English including business English, corporate English, English for exams, general English and English for young learners. She’s taught face-to-face, online, one-to-one and large group classes. Her qualifications include a BA in community drama, a CELTA, a Cert IV in TESOL and a Cert IV in training and assessment.
She absolutely loves training and meeting her students. She’s friendly, fun and very enthusiastic. She takes the time to really get to know her students and will go above and above to make sure your time in Bali is the best ever.
Maureen Witteke
Maureen is our friendly-faced, and super-organised centre manager in Bali.
She graduated from Hospitality Hotel Management, with a major in Hotel Public Relations. She has vast experience working in Property Management as an Operational Manager, and also as an Events Organiser for music concerts.
Maureen loves meeting new people, particularly from different cultures, and loves imparting her knowledge of Bali and Indonesia to our students.
During her free time, Maureen enjoys outdoor activities, spending time with her dog, travelling, singing, and dancing. In fact, during her 5 years as a professional dancer, she had the opportunity to dance at the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games 2018.
Angela Arbab
Angela is our Cambodia centre trainer. She loves travelling, teaching, meeting new people and experiencing new cultures.
Angela has been travelling and living abroad for over 14 years, and for the most part, has visited Asia and specifically South East Asia. With over 10 years of teaching experience and a passion for training and educating, she ensures that her students are comfortable and well cared for, and having lived abroad in several countries, she can relate to the challenges that her students face with moving abroad.
Angela has a Master’s degree in Science and Business Administration, A TEFL and TEFL trainer qualification. She has taught a wide range of classes and levels, including IELTS and OET, as well as TEFL teacher training.
Angela has a love of languages, and is fluent in English, Farsi, Spanish, and Hindi, and speaks Bahasa and Turkish at communication level.
As an adventurer, if not training, you can find her diving, swimming, or generally around a body of water.