International TEFL Academy

Program Reviews

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Tyler
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Int'l TEFL Acadcemy

I have really enjoyed my time so far with ITA. When looking for a program for TEFL certification, I always found tons of information and articles from ITA. I knew that they would be one of the programs I would choose from. When I requested a brochure and talked to an admissions advisor, I was hooked. I really enjoyed the way they marketed the program on social media and how they designed everything. I also enjoy talking to other ITA alumni in the Facebook pages in the country that I want to teach in. My advisor was really helpful with everything. Buying the course and signing up for a class was really easy. The class wasn't too difficult and the information was helpful. I finished the online portion and am now looking for a practicum site in my hometown. I cannot wait to earn my certification and go through the visa/passport and find a school and teach and travel abroad!

What would you improve about this program?
N/A
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Wilson
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent TEFL Course!

Our onsite TEFL certification course in Chiang Mai was an unforgettable experience. We spent 4 weeks doing full-time training while also doing 6 real teaching practices at schools in the area. Our instructors had a plethora of experience teaching English and were able to give excellent advice throughout the course. I highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to teach especially in Thailand. We were able to learn first hand what is like to be a student while being taught the Thai language on several occasions using the TEFL teaching format provided and taught to us. We learned how to make detailed lesson plans and were able to get feedback from multiple instructors on how we did on each lesson performed and practiced. The staff was excellent and so helpful in finding jobs after the course and with anything you could ever need!

What would you improve about this program?
There is not very much improvement needed if any, the only thing would be maybe to provide an online database of teaching materials and techniques for reference (unless there is already one that I must have missed).
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Gabriela
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wonderful Program with Helpful Support

My experience with the International TEFL Academy was fantastic. From the moment I demonstrated interest in the course until completing my final assignment, I was offered a ton of support and advice from the instructor as well as my assigned counselor. There are also ample resources available online to find a job, connect with other alumni, and make the most out of your teaching experience. The way the course itself is setup was super well-organized and gave me a foundation for creating lesson plans that address students’ needs in an effective and enjoyable manner.

What would you improve about this program?
I would appreciate it if my counselor checked in with me one or two times in the last few weeks of the course to offer one-on-one job-hunting experience
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Shannon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

All The Tools To Succeed

I am extremely satisfied with choosing ITA to get TEFL certified. Before I registered for a class I was assigned an adviser who answered all the questions I had about the course. I also watched a webinar put on by ITA advisers who spoke about teaching abroad and answered questions that were submitted to them throughout. The course itself is intense. I took the online course with the Young Learners and Business English add-ons, and I was constantly challenged. Anyone looking to get TEFL certified should be aware that this is an actual class. A lot will be expected of you but it is all beneficial information to help you succeed as a teacher. The instructors are very supportive and responsive to students. Overall I'm beyond satisfied with the ITA TEFL certification course and highly recommend it to anyone looking to get TEFL certified.

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Juan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Good Investment!

My motive in coming to the International TEFL Academy was to support my family during our time abroad by teaching English. I had planned to do graduate school abroad and needed something flexible to make money. From the beginning, ITA encouraged me that the online TEFL course was not only going to equip me for being able to teach English as a foreign language but also support me in finding a job as long as I wanted the help. The life-time job support was perhaps the biggest draw for me. This suggested to me that ITA was in it for the long haul. It wasn't simply trying to get a mere customer. It is made up of good teachers and adventurers who really want to help others teach English well and succeed in living abroad. I find that the benefits of the program far outweigh the cost of registration.

I am currently filling out applications to begin teaching online and feel equipped as I do so.

What would you improve about this program?
I can think of none.
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Courtney
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Pho-Nomenal Experience!

I always knew I wanted to try my hand at teaching abroad, I just needed a little push! From start to finish, the team at the International TEFL Academy were incredibly supportive, encouraging and patient. By the time I landed in Vietnam to begin my TEFL course, I truly felt prepared and excited for this new chapter. Though I previously had no teaching experience, the TEFL course itself really equipped me with all the knowledge and tools a new ESL teacher could possibly need. Through the job assistance and alumni network, ITA really helped me smoothly immerse and connect to my new city of Hanoi, which has a tendency to be a chaotic and overwhelming place. If you're thinking of getting certified to teach abroad through the International TEFL Academy, consider this your push. And if this post isn't convincing enough, maybe the sound of 10 cent beers, trendy cafes, buzzing nightlife and cheap but delicious cuisine will further entice you!

What would you improve about this program?
It really was such a great experience! I cannot really think of anything I would change.
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Katrina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My Online TEFL Certification Course

My experience with ITA was absolutely amazing! My advisor, Helen, was fantastic and made me feel very comfortable about my decision to go with ITA! She answered my questions thoroughly and didn't try and pressure me to sign up for a course, which is one of the things that first set ITA apart from the other programs I had been looking at. I talked on the phone with her for almost an hour about the online certification program and what services ITA offered their students and not once did I feel awkward or the intense desire to fake an emergency. It didn't feel like a sales pitch- it felt like an actual conversation and that was really important to me because it showed that ITA advisors had different motivations than the ones I talked to with places like CIEE.

The online course I took was fantastic and gave me the tools to succeed as an English teacher. I learned strategies for teaching different age groups, was warned about difficulties students could have when learning about things like synonyms, taught how to make a flawless lesson and activity plan, and offered suggestions on good classroom management styles. My instructor always made sure to give detailed feedback on my assignments and quickly responded to any questions I emailed her with. The lessons I learned, combined with my teaching practicum, helped me gain confidence in my abilities and assured me that getting TEFL certified was the right choice for me.

Even after the course was over though, I never felt like ITA just threw me out into the world with no idea of how to use my new certification. I was sent emails with links to Facebook groups ITA had set up so that I could connect with a community of people who were just like me, given instructions on how ITA would support me in my attempts to find a job, and informed about other services they offered to their students so that they could be sure to succeed.

The aid and encouragement that ITA has given me is amazing! The reason they are the best program out there is because they really care about their students and I guarantee that you won't regret taking this course for even a moment!

What would you improve about this program?
I honestly can't think of anything at the moment that I would say ITA needs to improve!
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Taylor
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

International TEFL Academy gives you the freedom to move

The summer before my senior year of college I was feeling very unsure of what I would like to do in the future. It was then that I turned to Go Overseas and discovered International TEFL Academy. I immediately filled out their request for more information and within a couple of minutes my admissions advisor, Tyler, reached out to me. Throughout the entire admissions process I had multiple phone calls and emails with my numerous questions answered in an very timely manner. I felt fully supported and this was even before I had committed to the program. I then began the course, which I was able to complete while having a full college course load, a job and being a college athlete, which is to say that this course is perfect for those that are employed or are still in school. The teacher that I had was timely, open and easy to reach with questions. I felt that the course was useful but did not overload me with busy assignments. Upon completion of the course I interviewed to work as a teacher's assistant in Isreal and have for the last year been in Israel with plans to teach English in Spain next year. All I can say is that International TEFL Academy gave me mobility and allowed me to have incredible life changing experiences. I would 100% and have 100% recommended it to anyone looking to teach abroad.

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Megan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

International TEFL Academy

I love the versatility of ITA, if you want an intensive four week course in an amazing location it’s totally an option but if you prefer to do the work online in your pjs you can absolutely do that as well. It’s nice knowing that you can get through the course in a way that fits your needs. I personally chose to do mine online while working full time and pursuing my masters. Throughout the course the teacher offers valuable feedback when grading your assignments, the kind of feedback you can actually grow from and improve your skills with. The course itself is extremely helpful and easy to follow. You get a chance to learn everything from learning styles, classroom management, cultural sensitivity, and lesson planning, all of which has proven helpful for me as I teach English. For those of you who are worried about being able to get through the course, the course is completely manageable with a busy schedule. With a little time management I firmly believe anyone can get through the course, it’s not so taxing that you have to dedicate your whole life to the course but it’s not such a breeze that you feel like you don’t learn anything. It’s a nice balance between the two. From the second you sign up you get to be part of a community that has what seems to be endless resources on countries all over the world. Not only that but they are active on social media so you can connect with people who are abroad, they host ITA instagram story takeovers so you can follow someone in a city you are interested in, and once you’re abroad they host get togethers so you can meet fellow ITA alumni abroad. Getting certified through ITA opened up so many doors, I have moved abroad, I teach English online and I spend everyday exploring a new part of a city, then when I’m ready I have the flexibility to move to a new city and do it all over again. Getting my TEFL certification through ITA has changed my life. One of the driving factors for me in choosing ITA was the lifetime job search guidance. If I go back home and start a career there I can come back to ITA at any point and seek out a career abroad again, which is an amazing thing to know you have that kind of option. ITA has all the answers, whether you’re a married couple, you have kids, you have pets, whatever your situation ITA can assist you with all the info you need to make moving and starting a new adventure a breeze. Anyone that is looking to get certified, if you’re looking for an outstanding company, with resources to help you achieve your goals, and a friendly knowledgeable staff to help you with any questions, and the school has all the accreditation to prove it’s a proper program then ITA is what you’re looking for. I HIGHLY recommend you reach out and get more information and get enrolled so you can start your dream job abroad!

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly the program is pretty great, the only thing I see students struggling with is finding a practicum location, if there was a bit more than a list, maybe some viable up to date contacts that regularly work with ITA it could be easier and less stressful to find a practicum location
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Gabrielle
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My TESOL Experience

A year ago, I would have never imagined myself living in Hanoi, Vietnam. In fact, much like most Caribbean people, I believed my travel expeditions were limited to a particular region. I am proud to say that registering with the International TEFL Academy (ITA) to study in Vietnam was the best decision that I have ever made.

From the very beginning, prior to my registration, ITA provided the necessary information that helped me to make a life-changing decision. My advisor was extremely attentive and answered all my questions. After registration, I was connected to the go-to person in Vietnam who assisted me greatly before my big move. The representative informed me about what to bring to Vietnam and what to expect.

The 4-week intensive TESOL course in Hanoi was brilliant. Our trainer was a well-seasoned English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher who was inspiring, patient and professional. The course modules were extremely appropriate; I arrived in Vietnam with no teaching experience and after the course I felt more prepared than ever to excel in a classroom setting.

Vietnam is also an amazing and developed country. The people of Vietnam are exceptionally friendly and the culture is fascinating. There is so much to see and do that you will never have a dull moment. As an ESL teacher, you are looking at a reasonably high salary with a very low cost of living. The potential to save while living in Vietnam is very high. Also, native teachers are always in demand.

I am extremely happy with my decision to move to Vietnam and would recommend this destination to anyone.

What would you improve about this program?
More teaching practice with different schools/institutions.