Obtaining a TEFL certification is your ticket to teaching English abroad or online. Not all TEFL certification companies are built the same. After hours and hours of research, I decided to obtain my TEFL certification through the International TEFL Academy, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made!
International TEFL Academy is one of the most popular TEFL certification companies, and for a good reason! International TEFL Academy, otherwise known as ITA provides a robust curriculum, lifetime job search guidance, and TEFL certification from a fully accredited and well-respected company. If you’re just starting your journey, stick around to find out why you should get TEFL certified with the International TEFL Academy!
Flexibility on where you can take your course
International TEFL Academy offers multiple options to take a course and get certified, so there’s an option for everyone. I specifically went for the 11-week part-time online certification course! I was also a college student at the time. Having time to complete all my school work, work a part-time job, and complete the course was very manageable.
ITA also offers an Intensive 4-week online TEFL certification course. Meaning, you can take this class from anywhere in the world and be certified in just four weeks! Speaking of around the world, ITA offers 21 locations to take an in-person 4-week course! Take an in-person course in Asia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States! The flexibility and versatility of the classes mean that anyone can take classes where ever, and however they see fit.
In-depth class curriculum
The 170-hour TEFL course includes a deep dive into different topics imperative to becoming an English teacher. What I love about the ITA curriculum is that it not only talks about the rules of the English language. It also focuses on how to create a student-centered classroom, cultural sensitivity, and the role of you, as the teacher!
Beyond just the regular 170-hour TEFL course, ITA offers additional courses to supplement your learning. These courses are all 30 hours, with the exception of Foundations of English, which is a 60-hour course. These classes are online and cover topics including teaching English online, teaching English to young learners, teaching business English, and tutoring English. These courses are great if you’re looking to specialize in a specific area and really connect with your ESL learners. These courses are also great as refresher courses if you’re already certified.
Built-In Practicum Hours
International TEFL Academy requires 20 hours of teaching, tutoring, and observing before you are actually awarded your certification. This is why the ITA certification course is 170 hours compared to the typical 150-hour certification course. This requirement instills an extra layer of confidence and helps teachers feel more prepared to teach on their own.
The only strict requirement for the practicum experience is that you cannot exceed 14 observation hours. Meaning you have to be teaching or tutoring for at least 6 hours. The students also need to be non-native English speakers. The practicum unit is due within 90 days from the last day of your TEFL course. Besides those few points, you are free to teach and tutor English in any setting and age range! I did my practicum online since I wrapped my hours up in March 2020. And we all know what happened then.
Detailed Country Information
Most want to get a TEFL certification because of the opportunity to teach and work abroad. The logistics of moving abroad are extremely complex, with many layers, rules, and steps to the process. Luckily, International TEFL Academy has put in the work. ITA provides detailed country guides for over 60 countries. These guides include typical start-up costs, visa information, required documentation, if housing is provided, and so much more!
English language learners can be found across the globe. Having a guide AND an advisor to walk you through the process is extremely helpful. The advisor team is just one of the amazing perks of getting certified through the International TEFL Academy. Every advisor has had experience living and/or teaching abroad. So the information you’re getting is coming straight from the professionals who were once in your shoes.
Job assistance
Getting your TEFL certification is the easy part. The hard (and scary) part comes after you obtain that TEFL certification. Finding a job abroad is completely different than finding a job in your home country. There are different rules, different application requirements, hiring seasons, different job markets, and visas involved which can get overwhelming FAST.
As an ITA alumni, you’ll have access to your advisor for life! International TEFL Academy assists with multiple aspects of the job search process. Your personal advisor can assist you with writing your resume and cover letter, provide insight into the application and interview processes for different countries, and help you find the right location for you. ITA also provides access to webinars, a 400-page job search manual, a directory of over 20,000 schools and teaching companies, and coordinates referrals for schools and programs.
Life long community
The ITA Alumni community is one of the most engaging and powerful resources. After signing up for your TEFL course, you are welcome to join any Facebook group by providing the email address you signed up with. Once the page moderators confirmed that your tuition is paid, you can join any International TEFL Academy group! There are specific country groups, a general ITA alumni group, groups for specific teaching niches, and more! This is a great place to connect, ask questions, plan meetups, and get referrals for jobs, housing, and things to do in your country.
Cons of International TEFL Academy
The only “negative” thing, I’ll say about International TEFL Academy is that it is on the more expensive side compared to other TEFL certification companies. HOWEVER, the price is very much justified, because you really get what you pay for. Just be prepared and save if this is the course for you. I was a broke college student and wanted to have a TEFL certification. Working part-time, making just enough to pay my rent and groceries, meant an extra $1500 was out of my budget. I ended up starting a GoFundMe page to fundraise for about $600! I saved the other $600 on my own, and 3 months later, I was enrolled in my course. Discount codes are available throughout the year, especially seasonal and holiday discounts, so keep your eyes peeled.
Getting a TEFL certification really opens the doors for so many opportunities. It allows you to see and experience an entirely new culture, gain awesome life experiences, and change the world through education! Even if you’re on the fence about moving abroad or teaching online, I strongly suggest reaching out to the International TEFL Academy! The staff was so incredibly helpful. Committing to purchasing the course, meant joining a community of over 40,000 alumni who have the same goals, visions, and values as I do.
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