FAQ's

General Questions
The job market and teaching in India; Paper work and documentation
Questions about Kolkata; Living in India
What to do before departing for India
FAQ - TEFL Course, TESOL Course

General Questions

1. What does the tuition for the program include?

Total fees: $1490 + Accommodation of your choice

Comprised of:

$500 non-refundable deposit
$990 TEFL course fee. This amount includes tuition, accommodation, course materials, certification and moderation fees. Airfares, Accommodation and food are not included. A discount of $100 is available if you choose not to take the accommodation. $50 needs to be paid for special accomodation – delete the blue portion

2. How do I pay for the course?

Please pay the balance of the course and accommodation fees in Kolkata directly at the school on the first day of the course. By this stage, you should already have paid the $500 deposit either online by credit card or via bank transfer. The course fee is payable in US dollars or Indian Rupees, at the current exchange rate. The rate is determined online at www.xe.com/ucc. The payment can be made in cash or travelers checks, or by credit card.

3. What is an average program day like?

Class time is generally 9:00 am to 4:45 pm, with mid morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch break. For approximately two weeks, you will be preparing to teach—learning all of the things you need to know in order to be successful in the classroom. For the other two weeks, you will actually be teaching each morning and preparing your materials in the afternoons.

4. How many students on average are in the program each month?

The maximum class size in the Kolkata program is 10, normally we've been having somewhere around 8-10 trainees. Most of the participants are American, British, Canadian or Australian, although we do accept non-native speakers of English who have a high proficiency in the language.

5. What are the teaching practice students and classes like?

We use local Indian students for the trainees’ teaching practice. Indian students are very keen and enthusiastic, and because we don’t charge them to attend, all students come to classes purely because they want to!

6. What are the program accommodations like? Where are they located?

The accommodation will be like Guest House near by vicinity within 5 to 6 km. The rooms are keen, comfortable bathroom and air conditioning. If you desire an option, there are rooms at the Hotels in nearby vicinity of the school for about 10 minute’s drive from the school.

7. Can I have things shipped or mailed to me at the school?

Yes! Below is our address.

TEFL International
385/1,Keyatala Lane
2nd Floor
Kolkata-700029
Near Golpark Ramkrishna Mission Institute.
Phone-033-40086839
Mobile:+91 9874031867

8. Can I bring my laptop?

You can if you like, but Internet connections aren’t ideal in India, especially from a private phone line. We offer an onsite Internet café, open 24-hours a day, 7 days a week. The cost is 100 Rs. (about 2.5 USD) per hour. We also have 1 computer with no Internet access for lesson planning and doing assignments, for the trainees free of charge.

The job market and teaching in India, Paper work and documentation

1. What is the TEFL job market in India like? Will I have trouble getting a job?

The TEFL job market in India is excellent at the moment. Finding employment is only difficult if you wait until the last day of the course to begin looking. With just a little patience, you will certainly locate work in no time, usually in the area of your choice.

2. When do I need to start looking for work in India? Where do I start?

We suggest you begin setting up interviews and sending resumes in the second or third week of the course. We also have options of Internship with our own ESL and Pre-Schools in India

3. What will TEFL International do to help me secure employment?

We can give you a list of schools in India and help you with resume and interview preparation. We guarantee job placement assistance, but please note that TEFL International doesn’t ‘guarantee’ its graduates employment in India as such. This job placement assistance program is an integral part of the course and is available for as long as you may require it. However our internship package is quite attractive which may get you the first hand experience teaching Indian students.

4. What is the average salary like?

The average salary in India is about 15,000 to 20,000 Indian Rupees per month. This varies depending on what type of school or company you work for and whether you work full or part-time.

5. Do most schools provide accommodations for their teachers?

No, but there are schools that do this. For example, some schools may provide a room for you, either shared or single, probably in an apartment with other teachers and it may or may not be on the school’s premises.

6. How many of the TEFL graduates actually find work in India?

Most of our course graduates who have want to work in India will be able to secure teaching positions.

7. Do schools provide health insurance?

Generally, no. However, if you pay Indian income tax, you are entitled to Social Security, which gives you medical coverage at a local specified hospital.

8. Do schools provide work permits?

Your school should help you secure a work permit. In order to apply initially, you get the job offer in writing from your future employer, along with copies of his business registration and Ministry of Education documents. You can then convert your tourist visa to a Business Visa or you may leave the country and go to the nearest Indian consulate. Most people go to Singapore and Thailand (Bangkok) it takes 4 days to 6 days to collect your Business visa that you use to come back into India. It is then converted to a work permit after a considerable amount of paperwork is completed.

9. What is a typical teaching position like?

Of course, it varies from school to school, but you may be expected to teach a variety of courses, ranging from children to business professionals at all levels, in groups or in private sessions.

10. Can I return to my own country and teach with my certificate?

Yes, it’s possible though the requirements for working in ESL or TEFL in many western countries are different and sometimes need graduate education in ESL or TEFL.

Questions about Kolkata; Living in India

1. What are the average housing and living expenses in India?

Most likely you will rent a room in an apartment or house with other teachers or with Indians, and of course it depends on where you choose to live. A pleasant, small 2 to 3 bedroom house in India is about 5,000 to 7,000 Rupees per month. Apartments are available for less. It is fair to say that TEFL teachers are very well paid by local standards in India, which means they can afford a comfortable standard of living. A local (Indian) teacher in India earns around 6,000 to 8,000 Rupees (about 130 - 180 dollars) while a TEFL teacher at the same school can expect to earn 15,000 Rupees - about $350 per month. While this may not sound a lot by international standards, it means you can live very comfortably in India.

2. What if I get sick in Kolkata? Are there western-standard medical facilities?

If you find yourself requiring medical attention, Kolkata has a number of very good hospitals and clinics with well-educated, helpful doctors. There are plenty of clinics and pharmacies in Kolkata. If there is any serious injury, please inform the Course Director or one of the staff and transportation will be provided to Hospital for treatment.

3. What’s the public transportation system like?

Bus, Taxi and Auto is the main form of local transportation. Ask before you get in. Prices are set for standard routes, and should be about 6 to 10 Rupees (about $.13- $.25 US) for all public transport to most of the important places in Kolkata.

What to do before departing for India

1. How do I get to Kolkata?

From the International Airport in Kolkata we will have a pick up facility based on your landing timings which will cost you only 20 USD.
Please email admin@teflintl.com for any further query.

2. What documents do I need to bring?

Of course, you need your passport. When you secure work you may be asked to provide notarised copies of your birth certificate, college degrees and transcripts. You might also consider obtaining an international driving permit if driving in India should be necessary for you, although the requirement of a driving licence is widely ignored.

3. What’s the climate like? What kind of clothing will I need to bring?

It’s hot and humid. Clothes are very inexpensive in India, so you may want to travel fairly light. Many visitors to India like to take advantage of some of the “Polo” or “Nike” goods that are so widely available. Many of the vendors will assure you these clothes are genuine! Haha!
You will also need to have on hand some really smart clothing. Men: no need for a suit and tie, but something other than jeans. Button-down shirts, nice shoes that aren't trainers/sneakers... something you'd wear to a job interview, "dressy-casual." Women: Shoulders should be covered; sleeveless shirts are acceptable, but very thin straps or tank tops are not. No low-cut necklines or very short skirts. Bare midriffs are not acceptable, even when lifting arms up. Open-toed shoes are acceptable.

FAQ - TEFL Course, TESOL Course

1. There are so many certificate courses advertised out there. How do I know which to apply for?

There are many good schools out there. Many are professionally managed and have qualified, competent teachers. Unfortunately, there is no law to prevent anyone from setting up as a teacher-training center and there is nothing to prevent you from being "ripped off" by a company offering so-called recognized certificates. Important criteria that you need to look for in a TESOL Certificate course includes:

At least 100 hours of time spent in the classroom studying how to be a teacher.
At least 6 hours spent actually teaching real students under the direction and supervision of a trained, experienced teacher.
Some kind of overseeing body (a university or examining board) that externally controls quality Most employers are looking for certificates that meet or exceed these three criteria. Courses that do not meet these criteria will not be recognized as certificates.
Continuing effort committed to job guidance and opportunities

2. What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? What is CELTA?

For all intents and purposes the terms mean the same with TESOL being more common in America and with large state sector colleges in Britain (e.g. the Institute of Education in London) while TEFL is more common in U.K. Language Schools and in the U.K. press. There is a slight technical difference since TESOL refers to all learners whose first language is not English, including ethnic minorities living in this country, whereas TEFL refers only to "foreign" students. Potentially, therefore, a TESOL course encompasses more than a more narrowly defined TEFL course.

The CELTA (Certificate for English Language Teaching to Adults) is a TESOL certificate course. It was actually the first course of this type of teacher-training course and was originally an in-house training course for teachers at International House (a large chain of language schools based in London). Because it was the first, it is very widely recognized by name.

3. What about Distance Learning or Short courses? There are a lot of them and they are really cheap!

Remember that most employers are looking for certificates that meet the general criteria listed in point number 1. And, lets face it, any course that does not allow you multiple opportunities to put you in real-life teaching situations will have limited benefit. Like learning to swim by reading a book or learning to drive by reading the drivers manual.

4. Are there regional/national differences in Teacher Training?

Certainly. The four-week TESOL certificate courses were first developed in England. They are widely accepted as initial teacher training courses in most of the world. In fact, the vast majority of organizations offering these courses are British and the overseeing bodies are also British. In North America, four-week courses are not generally accepted as teaching qualifications at government schools. They are generally accepted at private language schools. TEFL International is unique in this regard. We are based upon the British four-week system, we exceed all of their basic criteria, yet we also work with several well respected US universities. In fact, many US universities can offer up to 12 credits (full-time status and financial aide) for completion of our course and an internship. So we give you the best of both worlds—a TESOL certificate that exceeds the British standards yet that is recognized for quality in the US.

5. Will my TEFL International certificate be recognized around the world?

Certainly! Here are some important things to remember about TEFL International:

TEFL International is the largest TESOL course provider in the world, with locations literally in every continent except Antarctica.
TEFL International is also the world’s second largest TESOL Certificate provider and the largest that gives instruction of teaching both Adults and Children.
Our courses meet or exceed international standards of 120 hours of instruction and 6+ hours of Observed Teaching Practice.
An explanation of the course is printed on the back of each certificate in TWELVE different languages.
Each course is moderated by our Board of Academic Advisors.
With nearly a decade of experience and literally thousands of graduates working all over the world, our global contacts in the field that have employed TEFL International graduates attest to the quality of our teachers and our programs.

6. I've heard that these courses are really tough

Before you choose a course you should carefully consider the teaching style of the instructors. Many (American) students have found the British courses to be culturally difficult to deal with and have complained of unsympathetic and overly-critical teachers.

We feel this is another reason why TEFL International is an excellent choice. While we have based our curriculum on the generally-accepted British model, we have adapted this model to be more international. We have brought in many Peace Corps and US training techniques to balance and compliment the original model.

7. Can I get undergraduate or graduate credit for taking the TEFL International Certificate course?

Yes! If you are a current university student we would be happy to work with your university to arrange credit. If you want university credit for your participation, it is best to contact us in advance. We can work with your university to arrange credit, if possible.

Our course has been fully evaluated for credit by Dr. Bill Leon, an instructor of Program Evaluation at the University of Washington.

For more information please Email us.

8. Can I get a job without a degree?

Yes. Some countries will allow you to work without a degree. Examples of these are China and Thailand, but even there you may have difficulty competing against teachers who do have a degree. Other countries will not allow but often times people without degrees work illegally.

Working as an ESL teacher without a degree is possible. You should choose your destination carefully and be prepared for some hardships. Email, chat or call our help-line for more advice on the criteria often necessary for the country of your choice.

9. My grammar stinks! I really don’t think I could make it through your course.

Nonsense! As a native speaker, you know grammar quite well. You just don’t know the terminology! Our job is to teach you the terminology in an enjoyable and easy way. We assume you know nothing about grammar terminology when you arrive, but leave with the basics you need to teach.

10. Do you provide Job Placement Assistance?

TEFL International is much more involved in your job search than almost all other course providers. With locations all over the world, each center is an area expert, with extensive contacts within the country. We will work closely with you to find a job in the location of your choice. And, in a few years, when you decide to move from Thailand to Spain (just as an example), our Spain center will be there to help you.

11. What are the requirements for getting on to the Certificate course? How do I know if I am suitable? What kind of people will be on the course besides myself? Am I too old? What is the success rate and how many people fail?

A lot of questions but all interrelated. We find that courses tend to be taken up by a "mixed bag" of people. For example, we get a lot of people in their early twenties who are recent graduates and want to travel overseas but we also have people in their thirties and forties who either want a career switch, have been made redundant or are moving overseas with their spouse. In addition, we have people either approaching or in retirement and who are looking for something to do in their free time or who have got property on the continent to which they are going to move. Finally, we sometimes have people from other English speaking countries in our courses as well as good non-native speakers from other countries.

As far as entrance requirements are concerned, if you are to be a teacher of English, a high standard of both spoken and written English is demanded. By this we mean your use of English, not necessarily your knowledge of grammatical terminology: you will be given an introduction to language awareness on the course itself.

As the four week course is very intensive, you should be prepared to work very hard indeed, have no other distractions, and be mentally/emotionally completely fit and well, including having no current domestic worries. You should also be presentable in appearance. Finally, you should be able to teach! Not TESOL, of course, but anything. Do you have the confidence and personal presence to stand up in front of a group of students and teach them for, say, 45 minutes?

If you are a person of "more mature years" or a senior citizen, do not let this in itself put you off from applying. Providing you are receptive to training you should have no problems. If, however, you are rigid in your ways of thinking and are unwilling to shake off past ways of thinking and behavior (regardless of age), you may have a problem.

12. Last chance! Why should I take the TEFL International course. Give me some good

1. We meet or exceed all International criteria with 120+ hours of classroom time and up to 9 hours of Observed Teaching Practice;

2. We work with many universities to allow you to obtain undergraduate or even graduate credit;

3. We work hard to develop a nurturing, supportive learning environment;

4. Our courses all have affordable housing included in one affordable price;

5. Our courses are all located in fun, interesting locations;

6. Our courses include One-to-one meetings with learners of English as well as with full classes;

7. Our courses include Experience learning an unfamiliar language in order to make you think about the problems of teaching beginners;

8. Our courses include Opportunity to create your own teaching material as a form of practical project which you can take away and use in your future teaching career;

9. Our courses include training for younger learners as well as with