Program Reviews

"There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self." -Hemingway

I reached a point in my life where nothing new or exciting was happening. I had found myself in a day-in-day-out routine that never challenged, never pushed, or never taught anything new. As consequence my development ceased. I felt I had so much potential to do whatever I set my mind to, but lacked direction. What was I to do? Look for a change, that's what. Okay, so I knew I loved to travel: check. I knew I loved meeting new people: check. I knew Costa Rica was one of the most beautiful places on the planet: check, check, check. So, I figured traveling to Costa Rica was the most sensible option, but still, what would I be doing in Costa Rica? I searched and searched online looking for different ideas when I saw ITA's website (International TEFL Academy). ITA gave me the idea, but I figured I'd do some research first and check out the other websites offering a chance to go and get paid in Costa Rica. None of them came close to the detail and precision that ITA offered. None. I stayed in touch with one of ITA's advisors, Lindsay (fantastic woman, great, awesome), and got the ball rolling. I got picked up at the airport by David, a driver for TESOL students, had a nice conversation/mini-tour of the place, and got dropped off at my homestay. It was actually happening. I was actually in Costa Rica, in a Costa Rican home, and in love with it all. The family I stayed with was great. Rosa, my host mother, was the kindest and most loving person you could meet. With the way the entire family received me, there was no other way to feel, but at home. Next was my experience with the first day of class. I hadn’t felt nervous about a first day of class since middle school. I still wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But wouldn’t you know, in the first ten minutes of class I had twelve new friends. Twelve instant friends. Twelve unique people all looking for something new in their lives. And the professors, wow, the professors and staff were AMAZING! Luke and Melanie are 100% relatable, 100% likable, 100% totally awesome… and maybe 20% cheesy jokes. We hit the ground running. After the first week of class we were already practicing teaching in a live classroom. And after four weeks of training we were already having jobs lined up. I’ll never forget the time I studied to get my TEFL certificate. Lifelong friends and memories, no doubt. Just know that you will get what you put into the course. I came to be challenged and to learn new things, and got exactly that. Actually, that and so, so, so much more. Pura Vida!

I just completed the July 2016 course. It was great, i met some friends who ill know for life and Costa Rica was the greatest. Im forever grateful i decided to take this course. It really is amazing here. I would recommend this course 10/10. The course itself was fairly intense, but if you are willing to work a bit hard for a month and then reap the rewards its a no brainer. The sites around the school are amazing as well. One month here already and i still feel as if i havent even scratched the surface yet.

ITA has been extremely helpful throughout the entire process. They took the time to discuss my course options and what was best for me. They connected me with an advisor that gave a personal testimony that inspired me to continue with the dream of teaching abroad. They even helped me find a job when I completed the course. I took the course 2 years ago and I am still benefitting!

I took the online course while completing my undergraduate degree at a university. Once I finished, I convinced my husband to enroll. After we both completed the program, we began participating in ITA webinars about job hunting. We were told about a company in Japan, we applied, and now we are living and teaching in Japan! It's been a whirlwind of a process, and ITA helped make my dreams a reality.

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.

Once I misunderstood the time of an important meeting to coach one of our students. Instead of just letting me miss the meeting, Jon walked to my residence and made sure I was able to get to the meeting. This was a real life-saver. I should have known the time of the meeting (everyone else did), and without Jon's support I would have missed this important session. This is just an example of the continuous support provided by Jon and Heather during the TEFL course in Nicaragua. Whether it was an assignment, gaining perspective on an important subject, or overcoming challenges which arose during the course, Jon and Heather were always there to support me throughout the course. Their knowledge, helpfulness and coaching was extremely helpful to my classmates and me.

Loved the program. Loved the community. Loved the students. Loved the energy, encouragement, and enthusiasm.

I learned SO much about the values of teaching, and leading a student-centered classroom. When I learned the behind the scenes of lesson planning, it became a fun and addicting challenge.

After my program I went to teach in Africa, but felt the pull to return to Leon and visit the area and people once again. It just feels like home.

We (my husband and I) have absolutely loved our experience with ITA. Everything from the staff to the advisors to the course to job search guidance is an A+! The staff couldn't be better or more helpful. We work with Jessie and Erin mostly and they save us! They are always there and willing to help us with anything we need. The course was extremely informative and helpful and not too hard but definitely requires some work. The best part about ITA is the Job Search Guidance. It has so much information, it's overwhelming! Anything you could want to need is in there. It's so helpful and I can't imagine getting that anywhere else. Overall, we are beyond grateful we chose ITA. We are currently living and teaching in China! Thank you ITA and especially Jessie and Erin for everything!!

I didn't know that I wanted to be a teacher until I began my first practicum in Leon, with local intermediate English students. It was a surreal experience, leading a classroom of highly eager and intelligent students in their pursuit of mastering a second language. Although my joy in teaching that class may have stemmed from a personal passion, I am completely confident that without the thorough training and guidance of the ITAN staff, I never would have realized just how much teaching means to me.
Carmen, Heather, and Jon run an incredible school in a beautiful location. These are people that care for and support you in a way that makes even a very challenging class (note: this is a very challenging class) manageable. From their understanding of the coursework to their overall empathy for growing teachers, they will do all that is possible to help you become an excellent educator.

I had a wonderful experience with the International TEFL Academy! I took the in-classroom course in Chicago, and found that it was definitely worth the price. We taught four one-and-a-half hour classes to non-native English speakers from around the city (who were able to take the classes for free), using our own lesson plans. For each lesson plan, we were given extensive resources and feedback so that by the end we all had a good idea of our strengths and weaknesses as teachers. Our two instructors were fantastic, each bringing a variety of teaching experiences to the classroom. Months after graduating I am still in contact with ITA, who have been very helpful reading over job contracts and giving me advice on the whole overseas job-search process. I would highly recommend the International TEFL Academy to anyone who is seriously considering teaching overseas!

I found the International TEFL Academy simply by searching for teaching ESL abroad opportunities online. I came across multiple different schools that offered similar opportunities but decided to go with the Internaitonal TEFL Academy because of their outstanding reviews and all of the feedback their past students left in form of comments or video. They seemed like a company that would take care of you and help you along during the entire process, both of which are extremely important when dealing with teaching in a different country. The class was a 4 week instensive course where we were provided a multitude of different teaching examples and materials. After a week of the course we began our student teaching which is what I believe really set this particular course apart from others offered. This way we were able to do hands on learning and work directly with real students in Costa Rica. Therefore we could better understand what it would be like working with ESL students and teaching in a different country, and we were there to experience it all in person. It was because of the student teaching during the course that I felt prepared enough to go teach directly after I graduated the course. I started applying for jobs during the third week of the course where I simply used the list of ESL schools around the area supplied by the TEFL Academy. The amazing instructors for the course reviewed my cover letter and resume and afterward I simply sent both out to the schools I had an interest in. I currently work for a school named Idiomas Mundiales located in Barva, right outside of Heredia. It has been the most amazing experience of my life. I graduated college right before I made the plunge and moved to Costa Rica to begin the course. I had known that I didn't want to go directly into a desk job and saw the opportunities that teaching ESL would provide, and it has far exceeded any expectations I had prior to the experience. It is very challenging moving to a different country and teaching ESL. Everything is different, and you need to become accostumed to a completely different culture which is no easy task. However, I felt so comfortable because the TEFL Academy means it when they say they are there for you even after the course ends. They're there to support you through the hard times and there to smile with you through the good. I have fallen in love with teaching ESL and being in Costa Rica has made me grow as a person in ways I wouldn't have been able to unless I had gone through this experience. So to any contemplating going abroad and teaching ESL, I highly highly encourage you to do as I did. Go outside of your comfort zone and experience the beautiful world around you. You will never regret an adventure like this.