iTTi

International TEFL Training Institute

Why choose International TEFL Training Institute ?

Our organization is a state-of-the-art TEFL/TESL/TESOL training provider with a proven track record of graduating excellent teachers who landed teaching assignments in the most prestigious schools worldwide. If traveling, seeing the world and getting paid for it, knowledge and solid teaching skills matter to you, we are the perfect match for you.

Reviews

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Amy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent TEFL Course in Paris

I completed the TEFL certification in Paris in 2018 and returned in the summer of 2019 to volunteer to assist teacher trainees in teaching English to students. Students in Paris are invited to be taught English by TEFL teacher trainees and for the students it is free from any fees. I was able to further expand my own skills and thoroughly enjoyed working with the trainees and students. Steven Jacobson, our master teacher trainer, created a learning environment that was both safe and stimulating to trainees and students. Students worked daily to overcome common stumbling blocks in learning English as a Second Language, and the trainees were stretched using new skills to best instruct and help students get the best results. I am going back to volunteer again in 2020. I learn a tremendous amount from Steven regarding the psychology of learning and how to get the utmost out of students, while providing a fantastic experience for trainees.

What would you improve about this program?
Steven often has to make due with a smallish classroom, although it was recently remodeled. It can be too warm in summer, but then the class relocates to the garden and classes are held outdoors.
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Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Course!

This was a great course! Was very interesting and the professor is AMAZING! Honestly, I would recommend taking this course just for the teacher, Steven Jacobson. He is incredible. He helped me get several jobs just within the time frame of the class. I had a great group, we laughed and learned lots, I miss going every day.

Sometimes communicating with the head office in New York is discouraging; however, don't be discouraged. Once you reach Paris and once you reach Steven, you won't have any regrets!

Steven helped us get daily teaching practice, and the students are wonderful. The Paris TEFL program has students of all ages: kids, adolescents, young adult, and adult. So if you want to improve any type of teaching practice, you will have the opportunity here.

Would recommend!

What would you improve about this program?
More efficient, regular communication with the New York office would be helpful. I was convinced that this TEFL course was a scam for a very long time during the registration process because communication with TEFL America was so infrequent and unpredictable.
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Alexandra
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

120h TEFL course at iTTi Paris

I have enjoyed the iTTi course in August 2018. The trainees had a lot of practice as we taught every day. We had the occasion to work with different students and develop strong teaching relationships with them. The course focuses on teaching practice, and there is very little theory on the program. What I enjoyed most was the excellent atmosphere among the group of trainees. The school provides little career support and the program is not as intensive as advertised.

I would overall recommend taking the course if you're considering settling in Paris.

What would you improve about this program?
Include more career support
Default avatar
Shane
1/5
No, I don't recommend this program

50 Hour Online TEFL disaster

I signed up and paid for a 50 hour online TEFL specializing in teaching young learners. I may well have spent 50 hours emailing the staff and Program Co-ordinator asking for the various modules to be sent to me. Despite my best efforts I am into the second year of this 50 hour TEFL and I can't even get responses to my mails. Weeks and months go by without reply and I'm still waiting for Module 7! They refuse to refund the course fee. I'm waiting a year to complete this course. Its been the biggest waste of time and money I have ever encountered. Save yourself a lot of disappointment and choose a different provider.

What would you improve about this program?
By just sending the materials that have been paid for. Reply to emails. Answer phones.
Response from International TEFL Training Institute

Dear Shane Kellegher:

When “Gooverseas” checked your identity, you offered to provide them with all the correspondence that went back and forth between you and our organization over time. Yet, in your complaint you write that you can’t get responses and it takes months to get an answer. Perhaps you dropped out of the course. When you finally returned, we had to reinstate your program which is not done in a minute or two. It is an entire process of several days to reinstate a student. In addition, you seem to forget the phone calls you had with our program advisors. As much as you wish to overlook that, you are a dropout.
You are referring to the program as a waste of time; however, you insist on completing it. We know very well that the Teach Young Learners is an excellent program for TEFL graduates and other teachers. The information contained in the program is of unmatched value for individuals who are experts in adult teaching and want to explore the differences in teaching children. It’s a wealth of information in language skill development of young learners. The examples given in the course are a treasure box for English teachers, and I dare to say that they even brush up the skills of teachers who have taught young learners over the years. To get all of that is to replace two semesters of a high-priced college education with meager $95. You cannot get any lower for the value this program provides you with.
In addition, referring to the information as waste would make me (as a parent of one of your young learners in class) extremely worried.
The strangest part of the story is that we write to you to finish up the young learner program, and you don’t send in your last assignments.
A. Blumberg, Program Consultant

Jacob
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best TEFL Program

Before deciding to enroll ITTI's Paris program, I scoured the internet for weeks diligently investigating the TEFL programs available. After countless hours in front of the computer, I decided to go with ITTI, and I couldn't be happier I did.

Firstly, ITTI's instructors are top self, they truly care about their student and want them to succeed. The classes are small enough that you are able to get the critical one-on-one time needed while becoming a TEFL teacher. Also, you would not believe the support that you get from this program and the people involved with it. At all times of the day (as well as late at night), they were available and would bend over backward to help you in any way they could. When I made the short-sighted mistake of not having a permanent residence to stay at while in Paris, ITTI was there to help! They even called in a several favors with local universities to try to find a dorm for me!

Since this course, I've been sought after by dozens of TEFL organizations looking for teachers. Within a month of receiving my certification, I had received calls from schools in China, Japan, Colombia, and more! I'm currently working with American English Online, setting my own schedule and teaching students in Sozhou, China. What really stands out with this program is the in-class teaching experience it gives you. Not going to lie, it feels really good to write "English teach in Paris, France" on your resume!

And finally, the course is in Paris! Constantly you're surrounded by historic architecture, delicious food and, some of the most fun-loving people you'd ever meet. Also, Paris is just a train ride away from London, Brussels, Barcelona, and dozens of other unique and magnificent cities. I implore you, consider this course, I wouldn't trade my experience with it for the world.

What would you improve about this program?
I wouldn't change much of anything with this course. By far, it exceeded expectations.

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I have been a FSL (French as a Second Language) teacher for awhile now and figured that it would be much more practical that I teach English (my native tongue) in French schools. I have lots of experience teaching but desired to have a little more experience teaching in English specifically before I start teaching it at the beginning of this school year. I searched for programs I could complete in my home city, Paris, and that's how I found TEFL. It looked like a wonderful program, and it did not disappoint!

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

Seeing as I am already a Paris resident, I didn't actually require any help organizing things that most students needed (for example: plane tickets, SIM cards, lodging, budgeting, transport options, dining options, communication in the foreign language, etc). Because of my lack of need in this area, I don't have a personal story to tell, though I know that the professor of this class, Steven Jacobson, was incredibly helpful to many of my classmates when it came to organization and pre-departure.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Be open to the experience! I think you can get a ton out of this class if you are really willing to put yourself out there. I can be a pretty shy person, and during this class, I really tried to venture out of my comfort zone. I am so grateful I did! There are many opportunities for observation, teaching, and discussing,

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

During the week:

  • Monday-Thursday are spent in the classroom (10AM-5PM, but this can go longer).
  • Friday morning: Time out of class is meant to be dedicated to preparing lesson plans.
  • Evenings/Week-ends: Depending on how efficient one is during the week, the course will occasionally call for minor preparation in "non-class" time.
  • Homework: You have to do write-ups of observations, course lessons, and evaluations.
  • The fourth week: You will have three online final exams, they each take about thirty minutes and these are done during class time. The material is covered in class and in a manual given to students before the class starts.

Daily Schedule:

  • 10AM-1PM: Preparation, group discussion, teaching.
  • 1PM-2PM: Lunch.
  • 2:15PM-4:00PM: Teaching.
  • 4:00PM-5:00PM: Discussion and review of the day.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

This question doesn't apply to me, so I can't really answer it. However, I will say, don't be afraid to do this program if you don't know Paris or don't speak the language! Steven Jacobson, the professor, is an American. He is very friendly and willing to help with anything that may seem overwhelming! Plus, Paris is a pretty global city, and it won't be too hard to find someone who speaks English, Spanish, or German, so if you speak at least one of those languages, going to Paris without a word of French is definitely plausible!

Any last piece of advice for prospective students?

Don't be disillusioned by the communication with the New York office! Before you arrive in Paris, you will be in communication almost exclusively with them. I legitimately thought TEFL Paris was a scam because communication with the New York office was so terrible. However, your problems with them will be worth it once you arrive in Paris; the end result is worth the original struggle, promise! ;)

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Adriana Blumberg

Job Title
Director of Studies
Ms. Blumberg received her MA TESOL in Limerick, Ireland. After being a public school English teacher in Sweden for a number of years, she moved to France and later to the U.S. In France, Ms. Blumberg taught English in private schools and in corporations. In the U.S., she taught in language centers and community colleges. She has worked as a TEFL trainer for over 10 years.
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What is your favorite travel memory?

Of all the places I visited during my trips, Peru was one of the most impressive. Although most people I met were poor, they have compassion for others and treat everyone respectfully. The country is so beautiful, and their culture is unique. My trip to Machu Picchu was fascinating and educating. I love to learn about other people's history.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

After coaching so many prospective teachers over the years, I have improved my daily work to become more efficient in targeting weaknesses of my trainees. After over 10 years of training teachers, I have developed a worldwide network of graduates who help me, sometimes instantly, to identify employment opportunities for other graduates. My trainees work in every corner of the world, and I maintain contact with them.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

One of our graduates in South Korea wrote to us that the principal observed her class. At the end, he came to the front of the class and congratulated her for the outstanding performance and work ethics in general. She was told by her colleagues that this rarely happens and wrote us proudly about it.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

As a training organization, we strive to give our graduates knowledge and skills that go beyond the "travel teacher" and make them compatible to four-year graduates of formal colleges of teacher training. The employment record of our students speaks volumes.

As we train them on site, our students are hired by the best schools worldwide. Our graduates teach at universities in Saudi Arabia, Oman, South Korea, and China, for just to name a few countries.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

One of our graduates wrote us a huge thank-you note. She had been hired by Yale University in the U.S. to work with international students in their summer program. Yale University is an Ivy-League school in the U.S. and is compatible to Princeton and Columbia University. It cannot get any better. In such moments, we realize that we do exceptional training work.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

In order to be a successful TEFL training organization, you have to have your customer service under control. Besides great customer service, you have to offer valuable employment opportunities to your students. And the staff of the organization has to understand that we are in the business to help our students to achieve their goals--even if it means that they have to get a second try after intensive coaching.