International TEFL Academy

International TEFL Academy Reviews

Jenn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great introduction into the world of opportunities with TESOL

I recently completed the 11 week part time online course. I'm in the middle of getting all of my practicum hours. I didn't want to spend the extra money on a course like this at a university; I wanted to try a course that was a good introduction into the opportunities available, and to see if this is something I would have a deep interest in. I learned that I have a great interest in TESOL! I have loved learning about how to teach english, how to engage a classroom, and how to respect and learn from other cultures. My practicum hours have been eye opening, and both the class and the practicum hours have made me realize how I can use my background, experience, interests and creativity in a way that meaningfully contributes to society.

What was your funniest moment?
Trying to communicate with students in my classes I was observing and teaching. Realizing how simple I had to make my questions, and how much I had to break down my sentences and teaching methods and ideas to make it understandable.
Pros
  • Helpful and detailed reading material
  • Doable program for a busy mom with 3 kids in elementary, middle and high school
  • Flexibility- no classes you have to attend on certain days and times; managing your own workload
What other participants should know
  • Be able to manage your workload and keep on top of the deadlines
  • Communicate with your teacher if you need a few extra days to get work turned in.
  • Research a bunch of programs and pick one that fits what you are trying to do with the certification.
Dylan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fantastic Instructor and a Pain-Free Learning Experience

I recently completed my online TEFL certification with International TEFL Academy, and I cannot recommend it enough. Going into the course, the process felt a bit daunting, but my instructor, Sandy, was absolutely fantastic. She turned what could have been an overwhelming workload into a wonderful, pain-free learning experience.

The course content itself is incredibly thorough and complete. One of my favorite aspects is that we have access to a library of lecture videos that we can refer back to even after the course is finished. It is a huge relief knowing I have those resources in my back pocket for the future if I ever need a refresher.

Overall, I feel extremely well-equipped to get out there and start teaching. The assignments were challenging enough to keep me engaged, and the feedback from the instructor was always constructive and timely. Thank you to the whole ITA team for the opportunity, I am walking away with a deep understanding of ESL teaching and a ton of newfound skills!

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Ruby
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Further Afield - Excellent Programme

Taking part in the Further Afield, Gotoco, and TEFL programme in Thailand was an unforgettable experience that exceeded all my expectations.

The programme perfectly combined teaching, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Helping students improve their English and watching their confidence grow was incredibly rewarding.

The support throughout was outstanding. The programme leaders, Morgan, George, Aaron and Leyu, worked well together. They had knowledge, enthusiasm, and genuine care created a welcoming and supportive environment that made the experience even more enjoyable.

Learning about Thailand’s culture, history, and traditions, while visiting its beautiful temples, made the experience even more memorable. The programme also strengthened my communication, leadership, teamwork, and adaptability skills, leaving me more confident both personally and professionally.

I would highly recommend this programme to anyone looking to travel with purpose, gain valuable experience, and immerse themselves in a new culture. I made lifelong memories, formed great friendships, and would gladly do it all again.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Durian
Pros
  • Looks spiky and cool
  • Tasted better than it smelled
What other participants should know
  • Smell was bad
  • Not allowed to take it into a lot of public places like hotels
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Nurin Farah Athirah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 5 TEFL Course

The course is very useful and meaningful. It even provide a special unit for this AI generation which helps teachers to learn how to use AI to prepare quizzes, lesson plans, and worksheets. The support from tutors were very efficient. They help you as much as they can and the responses were fast (it's not chat bot, it was an actual tutor responding to my questions). The assignments also we're very helpful especially for future English Teacher. It teaches you how to understand your students' level and plan the lesson accordingly. The course also came with another short course, which is Teaching English to Young Learners Online. Overall, I'm very happy and satisfied with the course and supports provided by The TEFL Academy.

Jennifer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Awesome Program!

I am leaving a review for International TEFL Academy's Online 11-Week Program. I just finished the 11 weeks and found this program to be well-laid out with a topic for each week. I was very hesitant to sign up because I am 47 years old and haven't been to school for years. I had a very patient, helpful Admissions Advisor Andrew that helped answer my questions and walk me through the process. The Student Affairs Team is also great and was always helpful, and professional when answering my questions. I would recommend this organization as I felt they have a quality reputation and program, which to me is more important than how cheap I could get a certificate somewhere else. I also want to add that my teacher, Ms. Barbara Carkhuff was very knowledgeable and caring. I hope my review encourages someone who is not sure to take the leap and know that ITA is there to help you.

What was your funniest moment?
I am not sure I had a funny moment, but me trying to remember how to write a paper at my age was kind of funny.
Pros
  • Admissions
  • Student Affairs
  • The program content
Erin
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

It’s Never Too Late to Follow a Dream

I highly recommend this program, and my experience with International TEFL Academy (ITA) has been very positive. As someone changing careers later in life, I was initially nervous about returning to school and entering a completely new field. However, the course was well organized, practical, and supportive from the beginning.

One of the highlights of the program was the quality of instruction. My instructor, Professor Gorham, was extremely knowledgeable and provided thoughtful, detailed feedback on every assignment. Her enthusiasm for teaching was contagious, and she consistently encouraged us to do our best while reminding us that effective teaching requires preparation, flexibility, reflection, and a willingness to adapt. She helped me realize that I do not have to be a perfect teacher on day one. Instead, I need to be prepared, open to learning, and willing to seek guidance from colleagues and mentors as I continue to grow.

The coursework covered a wide range of topics, including lesson planning, classroom management, language skills, cultural awareness, and teaching methodologies. I especially appreciated the practical nature of the assignments because they helped me think about real classroom situations rather than just theory. By the end of the course, I felt much more confident in my ability to teach English in a variety of settings, including in-person classes, online instruction, hybrid learning environments, and private tutoring.

I also valued the sense of community within the program. It was reassuring to connect with other future teachers who were at different stages of their own journeys. The experience reinforced the idea that teaching is a profession in which we continue learning from both our peers and our students.

Although I did not purchase the textbook separately, I received access to the online version through a program incentive. I am grateful to have it as a resource and plan to refer back to it often as I begin teaching. The materials contain practical strategies and information that I know will continue to be useful.

This program gave me the knowledge, confidence, and foundation I was looking for as I prepare for a new chapter in my life. For anyone considering a career change, teaching abroad, online teaching, or private tutoring, I would strongly recommend ITA. It has shown me that it is never too late to learn something new, pursue a different path, and begin a new adventure.

Response from International TEFL Academy

Hi Erin - Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. We appreciate it - please get in touch if you ever need anything - TEFL related!

Cheers - The ITA Team

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Beverley
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Unforgettable Experience of Teaching, Culture and Personal Growth in Thailand

My experience with Further Afield, Gotoco and the TEFL program in Thailand was one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences I have ever had.

The program provided the perfect balance of teaching, cultural immersion and personal development. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the students and helping them develop their English language skills. One of the most rewarding aspects was seeing their confidence grow throughout the program and watching them become more willing to participate in activities and conversations.

The support provided throughout the programme was excellent. From the pre-departure information through to the in-country experience, I always felt well informed and supported. A special thank you must go to Morgan and Emma, whose patience, dedication, knowledge and unwavering support helped make the experience such a success. Their passion for Thailand and genuine care for the participants created a welcoming and enjoyable environment for everyone.

The cultural aspect of the program was equally impressive. I particularly enjoyed visiting the beautiful temples and learning more about Thailand's history, traditions and customs. Experiencing the local culture first-hand gave me a much deeper appreciation of the country and its people.

Professionally, the experience helped me develop valuable skills in communication, leadership, teamwork, adaptability and problem-solving. Working with students and collaborating with volunteers from different backgrounds challenged me to step outside of my comfort zone and strengthened my confidence in a completely new environment.

I would highly recommend this programme to anyone looking for a meaningful opportunity to travel, gain practical experience, experience a new culture and grow both personally and professionally. I have made wonderful memories, developed new friendships, and returned home with a greater sense of confidence and achievement.

If I had the opportunity to do it all over again, I would not hesitate to take part.

Katherine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Marvelous Program

ITA is the best program for learning to teach English as a foreign language! From the start they have helped me and encouraged me, and when I had a conflict with the start of my class, they seamlessly moved me to a class that began later in the year--for free! The textbooks are well-written and interesting, the teachers incredibly supportive, and my fellow students are all as excited as I am to begin this journey! I highly recommend this program to anyone who loves to travel and who loves to teach!

Response from International TEFL Academy

Hi Katherine,

Happy New Year from the ITA Team! We thank you for choosing ITA as your TEFL provider and we really appreciate that you took the time to write such a positive review. Please remember that if you are seeking new opportunities to teach English abroad in 2026, please check out the ITA Alumni Corner website or reach out to our team to access resources and guidance. Our team is here to help!

Cheers - The ITA Team

Heather
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Review of International TEFL Academy - TEFL Certification

The program is robust and thorough. It was also flexible enough so that I could take courses while working full-time. My instructor was well qualified, having both the education and experience to teach not only TEFL students, but English language learners anywhere. When needed, my instructor provided clear feedback so that I was able to resubmit assignments. I especially appreciate the extensions that were given to me, to complete the practicum portion of the certificate. Additionally, the staff at Student Affairs are awesome!

Response from International TEFL Academy

Hi Heather,

Happy New Year! We are so grateful you chose ITA for your TEFL journey. Thank you for taking a moment to share such kind words—it truly makes our team’s day. As you look ahead to new adventures in 2026, remember that your ITA family is always here for you. Whether you need fresh resources from the Alumni Corner or personalized guidance for a new move, don't hesitate to reach out. We can't wait to see where this year takes you!

Cheers, The ITA Team

Ryan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great preparatory course with lifelong support!

My experience with ITA was personalized, with support provided for my unique combination of timezone difference and university obligations. They helped me navigate my course work perfectly and expected a fair and balanced amount of legwork in return when it came time to do my practicum hours. They have provided extensions when circumstances beyond my control extended my timeline, and even offered to write reference letters for my graduate application and JET application. This course will give you a good base to build on when it comes to planning and executing classes, and helps you learn how to engage with students. In a program like JET, not all of these may be necessary but it will help you understand how the primary English teacher is managing their class. The extra hours make it a competitive certificate and the lifelong job search assistance is, I'm sure, going to be invaluable to me in the future.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go into this assuming you know nothing, even if you sre an educator. The textbook is immensely useful and the tests will make you engage with it heavily.
Pros
  • Remote and flexible
  • Lifetime job hunting help
  • One of the most competitive certs out there
What other participants should know
  • Time investment
  • Asynchronous, may be hard for extroverts
  • Practicum options can be hard to connect with.
Response from International TEFL Academy

Hi Ryan,

Happy New Year from all of us at International TEFL Academy! Thank you for the wonderful review and for trusting us with your certification. We love hearing from our alumni! If 2026 is the year you head to a new country or seek a new teaching role, please make the most of your lifetime job search guidance. You can find updated resources on the ITA Alumni Corner or contact our team directly for support. Our team is here to help!

Happy teaching, The ITA Team