International TEFL Academy vs TEFL.org: What You Need to Know

So you're curious about teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) and looking at how to get TEFL certified? The plethora of TEFL providers may seem daunting, but you do need to be careful before picking the first school you might see in a search engine. While at first glance TEFL.org might look promising, the company's low cost can't make up for glaring issues for those seeking to get the most out of teaching abroad, especially if you are looking to teach and live abroad for the first time.

The Consequences of Choosing a Low-Cost Course

Consider two scenarios for an individual who opts for a low-cost TEFL provider such as TEFL.org: 

Scenario 1

You’re in a new city in a new country standing in front of a classroom of five-year-olds who don’t speak English. You’ve never taught before and aren’t sure how to assess the students, or confident about where to start. You lack confidence in your ability to create viable lesson plans, manage your classroom, or even communicate with your students. You’re in charge of six classes a day, five days a week, and under contract for a year at the school. 

Scenario 2

You have your heart set on teaching in Japan. Your TEFL provider promises you that there are loads of English teaching jobs in Japan and you only need to be fluent in English to purchase a TEFL course. After buying and completing the course, you go to a job board and are devastated to see that you’re not likely to get a job in your dream destination due to your degree status. 

This scenario sounds like a nightmare, right? At International TEFL Academy, we never want you to face either of these scenarios. While teaching English abroad can be extraordinarily rewarding if you’re prepared and confident, it can also be incredibly challenging if you undercut yourself on training or lack realistic and attainable expectations. One of the primary reasons some people quit early or give up on their teach-abroad experience is because they feel overwhelmed and unprepared for the job. Don't let this happen to you.

While there are many other TEFL providers where you can buy a certification at a lower cost, that cost is cheaper for a reason. 

Read More: 3 Reasons Why It's Impossible for a Legitimate TEFL Course to Cost Under $1000

At ITA, we offer the best TEFL instruction in the market, with Ph.D. and Master’s prepared instructors who have all taught abroad and provide you personalized feedback on things like lesson plans. You’ll practice teaching and improve with coaching in the safe setting of a practicum before you ever set foot into your classroom - so that you can feel confident and give your best to your students from Day 1. Trust us: you want an experienced professor teaching full team of real people advising and supporting you from before you even enroll, all of whom have lived and taught abroad. From your very first contact, you’ll receive guidance from an expert advisor to help you clearly understand your options for countries where you can teach, and also to answer all of your questions about all aspects of teaching English abroad, from TEFL certification and financial planning to the practicalities of moving abroad like making friends and opening a bank account.

The appeal and viability of job markets for teaching abroad can differ based on your personal circumstances and goals - do you want to save while abroad? Are you LGBTQ+? Over 40? Our advisors are here to help you determine where you will thrive - and when you’re ready, will help you land the right job through our Lifetime Job Search Guidance. 

Learn More About ITA's Award-Winning TEFL Courses:

• 11-week 170-Hour Online TEFL Course (part-time - most popular)
• 4-week Intensive Online TEFL Course
• 4-week In-Person TEFL Classes in 25 locations worldwide 

What are the Differences Between a Certification from International TEFL Academy and TEFL.org?  

Based in the U.K., TEFL.org offers an accredited TEFL certification course at a lower price point. While others offer automated courses, International TEFL Academy offers a true full-service solution - from pre-enrollment advising, to practice teaching, to lifetime job search guidance, to a robust and connected alumni community in markets around the world. It’s always who you know! 

Our mission is to ensure you’re 100% ready for the adventure of teaching abroad, and that you’re never alone at any point in your journey. It’s why International TEFL Academy won the Most Innovative TEFL Program award in 2024 and has been named the People’s Choice Winner by GoAbroad for 4 years running, among numerous other awards and accolades. 

We get dozens of inquiries every week from graduates of other TEFL programs who come to us because they’re not confident in their teaching abilities or need more support to get the job they want. 

Want to know more about the differences between ITA and TEFL.org? Here’s an in-depth side-by-side comparison of the two programs:

What is the benefit of working with a company that is U.S.-owned and operated?  

All of our advisors are U.S. citizens who have taught abroad themselves. They possess a deep understanding of how to work with Americans to reach their goals of teaching English abroad. This includes training and expertise in areas like how visa rules and regulations work specifically for Americans teaching abroad, and specific government programs in countries like Japan and Spain that provide unique opportunities for Americans to teach in some of the most attractive countries. We’re also proud to work with U.S. veterans looking for their next opportunity to travel and make a difference in the world - and we offer a service discount. 

By getting TEFL certified with a U.S. company, you can also have the peace of mind that you are covered by relevant U.S. consumer protection laws and quality standards. 

TEFL.org Says They’re the “Most Accredited” TEFL provider. What Does That Mean?

Accreditation is a crucial element for any high-quality, professional-level TEFL certification. At International TEFL Academy, our certificates meet or exceed top-level international standards, and are accredited by sanctioned bodies in the field. All ITA-operated classes are externally monitored and approved at a Level 5 Ofqual (British Government) accreditation by TQUK (authorized accreditor of Ofqual). Due to our rigorous academic standards, many U.S. colleges and universities recommend our courses to their students.  

However, investing in having more agencies accredit your company doesn’t make for a better course. At ITA, we feel that investing instead in areas like personalized advising throughout your journey, curriculum development, high-caliber instruction, and building community among alumni is what makes our course the best in the market. Click here to learn more about ITA's accreditation.

Why is Live & Interactive Instruction in My TEFL Course Important? 

You’re starting a new career, in a new country, with students who aren’t fluent in English. You want to be as prepared and supported as possible to gain self-confidence in this new path. Our Master’s and Ph.D.-prepared instructors have all taught abroad and provide live lectures, office hours, and personalized feedback on your assignments and lesson plans so that you grow in your teaching skill level. Our goal is to ensure you gain the skills and confidence you need to become a top-notch international English teacher, so the level of instruction is what you would expect from a college-level course. 

Unlike most online TEFL courses on the market, ITA's award-winning Online TEFL Course is not just an automated, self-paced class that can be provided at a lower cost because there are no instructors. Here’s what some of our current students have to say about their instructors:

Why should I pay more for a certification from International TEFL Academy?

We believe there are four pillars of a great TEFL school: 

1. Pre-enrollment advising 

From their first contact with ITA, our students receive personal guidance from trained and experienced Admissions Advisors. From certification options to the realities of the international job market, we’re committed to ensuring you’re fully informed and equipped for this exciting journey. 

Your ITA Admissions Advisors can help you with:

• Researching your options for countries where you can teach
• Putting together a viable timeline
• Learning about hiring requirements, hiring seasons & interviews
• Picking the best TEFL course option for you based on your goals, timeline & budget
• Understanding salaries, start-up costs & other important financial matters
• Answering your questions about the practicalities of moving abroad like making friends and finding a place to live.

Read More:  8 Ways Speaking with a TEFL Advisor Can Help You Teach English Abroad

2. Top quality TEFL courses with interactive instruction provided by experienced, qualified teachers & live practice teaching

International TEFL Academy is committed to providing our students with the finest training possible and our instructors are at the heart of this mission. As a TEFL student aspiring to become a professional English teacher abroad, you deserve to be trained by a highly qualified instructor. Meet our Academics Team.  

At International TEFL Academy, every course we offer is meticulously vetted and accredited, ensuring that all our programs, including online TEFL courses, incorporate live practice teaching (practicum). This hands-on experience is crucial for building your confidence and skills in a real ESL classroom setting. It's essential to highlight that not all TEFL providers, such as TEFL.org, offer practicum in all of their courses. This omission can be a significant drawback for aspiring English teachers, as live practice teaching is not only vital for your professional growth but also a requirement for many leading employers worldwide who do not recognize TEFL certifications that do not include this critical component.

Learn more about Practicum (live practice teaching) at ITA

3. Lifetime Job Search Guidance 

With ITA's Lifetime Job Search Guidance, you receive in-depth and personalized guidance from professional experts to assist you in navigating international job markets, gaining employment teaching abroad, and preparing to live & travel overseas. The team will also review resumes, cover letters, and contracts - flagging terms that aren’t in your favor, or up to expectations. No other TEFL provider provides anything close this level of guidance and resources for getting a job teaching English abroad. 

An important point to note is that this service is included with tuition for standard TEFL courses

Basic elements of ITA's job guidance include:

• Personal guidance from an experienced Job Search Advisor
• Access to ITA's exclusive Alumni Corner website portal
• 400+ page Job Search Guidance Manual, which includes how-to-guides for getting a job teaching in more than 50 countries
• Referrals to preferred recruiters, placement agencies, online teaching companies, and language schools
• ESL worldwide school directory of over 20,000 schools & online teaching companies worldwide
• Comprehensive library of recorded webinars and videos
  
  

4. Alumni community and engagement 

If I’m already TEFL-certified, is there any value in attending International TEFL Academy?

We enroll students every week who have already been certified through a low-cost provider and realized they weren’t adequately prepared or supported for their next steps. If you do decide to enroll, we’ll take off the price you already paid another provider!

Here’s just one recent message we received from someone who has since enrolled in our course:

Read More: 4 Reasons Why You May Need to Take Another TEFL Course

So, ready to take your first step? Still unsure what option is best for you? Your personalized advising and support start now - click here to get in touch with our Admissions Team.

• Reasons Why ITA Offers the Best TEFL Certification
• How to Choose the Best TEFL Certification for You
• Is a 120-hour TEFL Certification Course Good Enough? 
• TEFL Job Placement vs. Job Search Guidance