Program Reviews

This wasn't my first time travelling abroad solo, but this was my first time experiencing life in a different country where I didn't already have friends or family nearby. It was definitely an experience I'll never, ever forget! Not only was I thankful for having not only the best roommate in our shared student apartment, but she along with the rest of my now best friends from the course made it all the better. And of course, Jackie, Ellen, Stephanie, and the rest of the amazing family at Via Lingua in Florence were the cherry on top.

I've wanted to teach English as a Second Language since graduating high school, but after 2020 I lost my path for awhile.. Taking the TEFL Certification course in Florence not only reassured me of my dream career path, but everyone that was a part of my journey there really made it a dream come true. If I could do it all over again, I definitely would. The school itself is in a very accessible and gorgeous location, and Florence is truly a great city for all travelers, beginners and experts! I would 110% recommend the course and the experience overall to anyone interested.

Thank you again to everyone at the Via Lingua school in Florence for absolutely everything.

The staff were very helpful in the teaching process whether it be learning the ropes, other practices, or even teaching in general. The teaching methods were hands on, and once you start teaching you discover something about you you didn't know in the first place. The classmates were all very friendly and helpful. Besides learning in the classroom you go outside and learn about culture by walking around Florence. Overall I recommend this course to all those looking for an exciting and rewarding opportunity.

I found this program a year ago and it seemed like a great program to assist in getting to Italy and a great opportunity. Florence is such a beautiful city and the school is located in a great location! The teachers are so nice, supportive, and helpful. The program was very challenging, but I learned a ton about teaching and myself.

I didn’t know how I would do in the program, but I found my way of doing things and really enjoyed the program. The community students were amazing and I highly recommend this program!

I loved taking this course at Via Lingua. It was interesting, challenging, stimulating and it gave us the opportunity to start practicing our teaching skills right then and there! It was fun, the teachers were supporting and their explanations were clear and on point. The assignments were interesting and useful. The class was small, which I think is a good thing, and full of interesting people from all over the world. It was amazing and it really helped me working towards my goals: I already have a two teaching jobs and I finished my course in October!

The location is excellent. Kadikoy is a particularly safe area and has a wonderful library boasting a sea view - perfect to study in! The course is intense and aimed mostly at teaching adults. It provides the initial qualification to specialise and diversify at a later stage. You may wish to brush up on your English grammar, as this is a significant part of the course, however there is plenty of support to help you meet the requirements. All the team are great! The instructors are extremely knowledgeable and very caring. Personally, it was a terrific experience that I would highly recommend!

This intense program is well organized and challenging enough to leave you feeling confident for the real world. They give a lot of hands on experience teaching groups & one on one students. The theory portion is good too, with brilliant local professors of linguistics & experienced teachers. The front desk staff is warm, friendly and helpful. The coordinator is caring. Overall they are genuinely interested in your learning and success. It's a very intensive course but the take away is well worth it.

The Via Lingua TEFL course in Istanbul was an incredible experience. The course was intensive but manageable and not overly exhausting. The trainers demonstrated exceptional competence and provided thorough and clear instructions supplemented by practical teaching exercises. The director's remarkable knowledge and helpfulness created a nurturing and effective learning environment. Moreover, the TEFL course in Istanbul was both academically enriching and practically beneficial. The curriculum included real classroom teaching practice with actual students, which was a game changer. It provided invaluable hands-on experience, significantly boosting my confidence as a teacher. This practical aspect of the course helped bridge the gap between theory and practice, making me feel much more prepared for a real-world teaching environment. Overall, this course successfully blended rigorous training with a supportive atmosphere, leaving me well-equipped for my future teaching career.

I was nothing but pleased with my decision to take my TEFL certification course with Via Lingua in Istanbul this past month. It was considerably intensive but I felt like the instructors were quite thorough and helpful. The material was useful and the teaching practices were excellent at helping me to build confidence and implement what I was learning in the course. The instructors were very fluent in English for the most part and very knowledgeable about the kinds of information they were providing to us. They were engaging and answered questions well. All of the staff at the school were polite, welcoming, and helpful and they will be missed. I couldn't have wished for more out of my certification course.

Although the trainers are not native speakers they all are really professional and has perfectly clarified the notion of TEFL methods. The pactice of teaching on the course is very inspiring. You will defenetely become more confident after this course. Staff is helpful and friendly and in coupla weeks you feel at home... My experience turned up to be quite unusual as I was the only student on my course. Actually I don't recommend such format of learning - too much attention to one student might make you exhausted. This program has helped me to realize myself as a professional.

I retired from full-time teaching in a private elementary school last year and decided to follow my dream of studying TEFL in Istanbul.

This excellent course prepares one for a meaningful, rewarding career in teaching English. Yes, it's every bit as intensive as advertised but absolutely worth it! The instructors are all top-notch and it's clear that they care about their students' success. They were always available to answer questions, give a little pep talk, or just listen to our musings. Their feedback on practice teaching lessons was supportive, with specific examples of where improvements were needed and encouragement to offer more of what most engaging to my students.

The largely interactive lessons helped us acquire in-depth knowledge of TEFL methodologies, grammar, language skills, lesson planning, classroom management, and assessment. The productive atmosphere of the classes and the goodwill of the instructors set me on course to begin teaching English with confidence and enthusiasm. The course books, abundant handouts, and links to helpful websites will be valuable resources for years to come.

One bit of advice: begin on the long-term assignments (portfolio, group project, and individual project) as soon as possible. This will free you up to spend the time needed to plan lessons and prepare for the final exam at a measured pace.

In addition to the interesting classes, the school’s lively surroundings made my time at Via Lingua Istanbul a memorable experience. I made new friends, immersed myself in Turkish culture and language, and cleared more than a few hurdles in navigating the challenges of everyday life in a new (but beloved) setting.