This program was excellent. It definitely surpassed my expectations. It is intense and a lot of work. That's a great thing. You will be completely prepared to teach English as a foreign language. You will immediately begin working on lesson plans and preparing to substitute teach English classes at the language school which is just around the corner. You will learn methodolgies of teaching, you will practice teaching various grammar concepts, you will write essays, and much more. You will lead a conversation class. The teachers are excllent and the course is comprehensive and moves quickly. Like anything else in life, you get out of it what you put into it, so if you're interested inliving abroad and teaching, I highly recommend that you work hard every day, study, practice, and committ all of your energy to learning during the course. Upon graduation, you will definitely be prepared to lead an English class. In addition, Guadalajara is an amzing city and the students you will encounter are all polite and engaged. I love teaching English and am grateful to have found ITTO through ITA. As a final note, they will completely assist you in job placement - guaranteed. So, no worries about finding work afterwards. Many schools and language schools require a TEFL teaching certificate, so I would highly recommend the investment in this course. This is a 140 hour course - you will actually substitutue teach 10 classes, as well as a conversation class and a private lesson. Very comprehensive!

I really enjoy the support I receive from everyone at ITA! From the beginning to now, they have always been willing and happy to answer every question I have had. The staff is very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful. The class is interesting, but not terribly challenging. It is easy to manage while working, student teaching, or going to school. The ITA also provides many other resources available to students that I find really useful. They include information about regions/countries, culture, and lifestyle that are accurate and can help students make important decisions.

ITA's TEFL program in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico is great! The partner school, ITTO, that runs the TEFL Certification course really gives you all of the tools you need to go above and beyond in the TEFL world. The course is intense, don't get me wrong, but it is so worth the long days and somewhat sleepless nights. You really have to work hard- it's 4 weeks of early mornings and late nights, occasional weekend work, homework, lesson plans, student work, a little bit of tears (stress), and tons of laughter. My favorite part of the program was going over to the English language school around the corner for the teaching practicum everyday. Having the privilege of working with students throughout the certification process is something that I am so grateful for. Your fellow TEFL classmates become your family for that month- you eat most meals together, lesson plan together, bounce ideas off each other, and help each other through everything the 4 weeks throw at you. At the end of the 4-week intensive course, you get out there and the job search begins. You not only have ITTO's help, but you also have full access to guidance from ITA- that's double the opportunity to land a job. I highly recommend the program to anyone who is interested!

The TEFL course in Guadalajara was an excellent choice for me. The city is amazing and full of opportunities to teach English. The course was challenging enough to adequately prepare me for teaching but also left plenty of free time and energy to explore the city and its surroundings. I really enjoyed the small class size and the staff were very accommodating and attentive. Our teaching practice at the partner school was great for feeling more comfortable in front of a classroom. After completing this course I felt prepared to teach and have stayed in Guadalajara teaching since.

My experience getting certified in Guadalajara greatly exceeded my expectations. It is a city oozing with charm, friendly people, rich Mexican culture, and still the benefits of a larger city. The staff at this location made us feel like a family throughout the whole month of the course. I never felt like i wasn't recieving the support or attention that i needed to succeed. It was the perfect balance of a friendly yet proffesional environment. We got to teach lesson plans that we made in class to actual students at the language school right across the street.
I felt extremely prepared to start teaching with real life practice, feedback, guidance, knowledge of methods, focused grammar training, a portfolio of my lesson plans and a CV for teaching that was created with proffesional guidance. Anyone looking for a super affordable country to get your TEFL certification that also offers a lively, cultural city experience should consider Guadalajara, México.

I LOVED my Guadalajara, Mexico TEFL course. The course was challenging enough that it prompted me to learn a lot, study, and work hard. It did not feel gratuitously difficult, or like busy work though. My instructor was very sweet, helpful, and really cared about and supported her students. I enjoyed the small class sizes, and the regular practice class with feedback. This program really shaped and refined my teaching skills, confidence, and classroom management. I am very happy with the results of the program, and would recommend it to anyone!

What good is an ESL Diploma if you do not have a Bachelor's Degree and are over 50?
Did you know the following sentence is grammatically correct?
He said that, "that 'that' that that" man used was wrong.

How are these two questions related? First there are many opportunities being over 50 with an ESL Diploma and no Degree. I have taught in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Mexico and am packing my bags for China. Second, you start remembering grammar rules but now you find them exciting (which I still find odd in my world). You also now know why you should have paid more attention to your high school English teacher. He said that, "that 'that' that that" man used was wrong is a grammatically correct sentence and I now know why. Come on! Mrs. Phillips would be very proud if I had not been chased from her class oh so long ago, but that is a story for another day.

These two outstanding realizations came to fruition as a result of time well spent with the International TEFL Academy in Leon Nicaragua. What easily could have been a minefield of challenges, Heather, Carmen and Jon took me by the hand and led me with great methods of understanding. As I do have the attention span of a goldfish never did their professionalism or skills waver. If I did not understand there was always a new patient way to show me which as it turned out I was actually showing myself.

The environment was inviting and the teaching observers, Luis, Amanda and Anna were genuinely excited to be a part of the teaching process. Post practicum (a word we all learned to fear) feedback was genuine, both positive and "needs improvement", which I respected. We had the resources and hot coffee to get through the never ending supply of assignments, projects, lesson planning, online quizzes and Thursday Night Salsa. Toss in a bit of Volcano Boarding, a few trips to the Beach and the views from the Cathedral and you have the ability to have a life changing experience.

Put your head down and pin your ears back for 4 weeks. You can do this but you must be ready to do the work! You will get all the tools and support you need to succeed. Now it's up to you.