TEFL / TESOL CERTIFICATION COURSE
IN GUADALAJARA, MEXICO

🔔 NEW! Now accepting enrollment for our new TEFL course locations: Japan, South Korea and Thailand

TEFL / TESOL Course Overview

Mexico's second-largest city and a major center of commerce, education & culture, Guadalajara makes for an ideal location to earn your accredited TEFL certification for teaching English in Mexico, online and worldwide.

Accredited & taught by experienced instructors, this 4-week intensive TEFL class in Guadalajara will provide you with professional-level English teaching skills in addition to a recognized qualification for teaching English around the globe.

All students and graduates receive lifetime Job Search Guidance in Mexico, online and worldwide. Over the past two decades, our staff has established a vast network of contacts with schools across Mexico that call upon us year-round looking for teachers.

All students & graduates also receive lifetime worldwide job placement assistance to gain employment online, and in more than 60 countries worldwide. These services and resources include personal assistance from expert advisors; contact information for tens of thousands of schools worldwide; referrals to top recruiters around the globe; hundreds of pages of information and links for getting jobs virtually everywhere; and much more. 

You don't need to hold a degree in education or have prior teaching experience to teach English in Mexico, which represents one of the largest job markets for teaching English abroad in the world.

However, earning an accredited TEFL certification will provide you with the skills you need to provide professional-level English language instruction and a qualification that thousands of schools and language institutes seek when they hire English teachers.

TEFL / TESOL Class Details

LENGTH OF TRAINING:

4 weeks full-time.

TEFL COURSE DATES & AVAILABILITY:

We recommend enrolling at least 90 days prior to your course start date. More information here.

DAILY SCHEDULE & INTENSITY:

Students should expect to be in class from 8:30 am - 6:05 pm (with breaks, of course), Monday-Friday. Weekends are primarily free for sight-seeing and relaxation, but some homework is required.

COURSE LOCATION:

The training center is located in the heart of historic Guadalajara, one of the most historic cities in Mexico & a major center of commerce, culture & education.

CLASS SIZE & FACILITIES:

Classes are capped at 12 students; Internet access is available at the school facilities, which also includes multiple classrooms.

ITA PARTNER STATUS:

This is a partner course of International TEFL Academy. All students receive the full benefits of ITA students and alumni, including lifetime Job Search Guidance.

TEFL / TESOL Course Content

This TEFL certification course has been specially designed to provide all course graduates with the tools to succeed as professional English teachers.

PROFESSORS & LIVE PRACTICUM:

Like all ITA TEFL classes, this TEFL course is taught by highly experienced professors and includes live practice teaching with local ESL students.

ACCREDITATION:

All International TEFL Academy TEFL Classes meet or exceed international standards, and are accredited by recognized bodies in the field. Further details.

HERE IS A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS COURSE:

  • Basic principles of teaching
  • Grammar
  • Classroom Management
  • Error Correction
  • Lesson Planning
  • Use of Visual & Audio Aids
  • Teaching group classes: beginner, pre-intermediate, intermediate, advanced
  • Conversational English
  • Teaching grammar, reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation
  • Language Awareness
  • Private Tutoring
  • Teaching Business English

Tuition & Costs

The Cost of the TEFL Class is $1495 USD ($500 Deposit + $995 Balance).

TUITION INCLUDES:

TUITION DOES NOT INCLUDE:

  • Personal Expenses
  • International Flights
  • Visa
  • Insurance
  • Housing costs

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES:

A variety of free & paid activities/excursions are available to students. An up-to-date listing of options & prices will be available upon enrollment. Popular activities typically include:

  • Tequila Tour (including tasting & visit to a farm & distillery)
  • Spanish lessons
  • Guadalajara city, Lake Chapala & Ajijíc tours
  • Mexico cooking lessons
  • Weekend excursions to nearby colonial towns (Morelia, Queretaro, San Miguel de Allende, etc)

Enrollment & Eligibility

IMPORTANT! Before enrolling for any International TEFL Academy TEFL course, it is imperative that you speak to an Admissions Advisor.

Your advisor will answer your questions and assist you with matters such as your eligibility & enrollment; course costs & logistics (such as housing); and your options for employment as an English teacher once you complete your TEFL Class.

TO SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR:

TO ENROLL FOR THIS COURSE: 

NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS:

FURTHER DETAILS:

Please visit our Registration Procedures Page & Review our Terms & Conditions prior to enrolling.

Housing Arrangements

Housing is not included with tuition, but once you enroll for your course, the onsite course director can assist you with making housing arrangements for the duration of your Mexico TEFL Course. Typical options include (availability & prices subject to change):

  • Homestay - Private homes are available if you wish to experience life with a Mexican family, learn traditional Mexican cooking from your hosts, and take even more opportunities to practice and develop your Spanish. Prices are $400 USD for 4 weeks, which includes three meals per day. Students must do their own laundry.

    This stay option begins one day prior to the beginning of the course and concludes one day after it finishes. Each additional night before or after is $20 USD. Each additional week before or after is $100

  • Local Inns (3-Star Hotel + Hostel) - A variety of shared or private rooms in local inns are available for rent. Amenities & services will vary, but typically include access to kitchen facilities, TV, laundry & WiFi. Bathrooms may be private or shared depending on the price point you select. Prices typically range from $300 - $500 for four weeks. 

Pricing is subject to change at any time. Students are free to make their own housing arrangements as long as they are able to attend class on time each day.

Make sure to enroll at least 60 days in advance in order to guarantee housing accommodations.

Housing Options for The Guadalajara TEFL Course We help you find Housing in Guadalajara, Mexico

TEFL Course Dates & Registration

Before enrolling in any International TEFL Academy courses, we recommend that you speak with an advisor who will answer your questions, review your employment prospects for teaching English abroad, and assist you with enrollment. 

We strongly recommend enrolling in your Guadalajara TEFL course at least 60 days in advance due to its popularity and to secure housing. We also invite you to read our registration procedure and terms & conditions. Note that all students will be charged a small processing fee per course/program purchased.

 

 

Job Opportunities for Guadalajara TEFL Students 

All students and graduates from the Guadalajara TEFL Class receive hands-on job placement assistance from the local staff in Guadalajara in addition to lifetime, worldwide, and online, job search guidance from ITA's expert team of advisors. 

Read our Mexico Country Profile to learn about the local job market for teaching English in Mexico & watch videos of ITA alumni teaching in Mexico.

AS SEEN IN

Guadalajara TEFL Course FAQs

How many hours do students spend in the class during the course?

  • 9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Input sessions covering teaching skills, classroom management, grammar and phonetics with a 15-minute recess at 11:00 am.
  • 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch
  • 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Guided lesson preparation
  • 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Teaching practice and fulfillment of course assignments

You can expect interactive style classes in which full participation is expected. It is a program that will give you the foundation for what may become a profession. You can be sure that when you leave, you will have a solid foundation upon which to build your future growth as a teacher.

 

How many hours do students spend on course work during the course?

Our course is intensive, therefore it is work dedicated, but you will get all the necessary help to graduate successfully and still have fun doing it.

  • 120 hours of Content Input Session
  • 11 hours of observed teaching practicum on real EFL students
  • 6 hours of observation of veteran teachers
  • Teaching of 2 conversation classes
  • Teaching of 1 private tutoring class

Live Practice Student Teaching: How many hours is it and when does it take place? Who are the ESL students? What ages and levels are they?

Teaching practice will take place nearly every afternoon. You will have 10 teaching classes, 2 conversation classes, one-on-one assessment classes and the opportunity to observe real EFL teachers in at least 6 classes, spread as evenly as possible over the four weeks of the course.

It is important to mention that your practices will not be done with volunteers or by teaching your peers in class, but with real EFL students. We are proud to mention that you will be teaching real students undergoing a structured syllabus, we do not use volunteers.

How many assignments are there throughout the course and what do they consist of? How many hours of homework do students typically have outside of class?

There are five assignments to be carried out outside of course hours. Three of them are essays and two of them are tasks; grammar and classroom management. All five are compulsory and to be turned in at 9:00 AM on the date due. The purpose of the essays is to assist you in developing teaching and learning strategies and in reflecting upon your own learning and teaching.

Will grammar be taught during the course? Are there additional resources in the course materials?

Yes. This section of the course aims to consolidate trainee’s knowledge of the English grammar system and provides practical ideas as to how it can be taught. Some different aspects of grammar covered include:

  • Tenses: form, meaning and use
  • Nouns and adjectives
  • Verbs and adverbs. Verb forms (infinitives, gerunds, etc.)
  • Parts of speech
  • Modal auxiliary verbs
  • Conditionals
  • Relative clauses
  • Phrasal verbs
  • Teaching pronunciation, intonation and word/sentence stress
  • Phonetics

The grammar and classroom management tasks have been designed for you to apply the learning from the course in a practical manner. Most EFL teachers improve their knowledge of grammar as they continue teaching, rather than in formal learning contexts. The key is to develop and apply practical teaching strategies to facilitate grammar learning. 

It is fundamental that you understand the role of Grammar once you leave our course and become a professional teacher of English. As you teach, you will be required to better understand grammar. After our course, you will be able to apply such concepts and definitions, through exercises you will be designing or selecting from published materials for your classes. In fact, this process will start from the moment you start planning your first observed teaching practice with the support and assessment of your trainers all through this course.

Is there a textbook needed for the course? If so, where can students purchase it?

Yes, and everything that you may need for the course and the teaching practices will be provided to you. We also have a large EFL selection of books, teaching aids and materials available for our trainees to use. Should you feel the need to buy teaching materials, you can easily find them in Mexico.

Are there any specific technology requirements for the course? Such as programs students need to know? Do they need to bring a laptop with them?

The school’s facilities include access to PC computers, wireless internet connection, and we include your course materials along with the TEFL coursebook. We highly suggest you bring your own laptop.

How can students prepare to take the Guadalajara TEFL course? Are there any assignments they need to complete prior to the course?

It is helpful to do some previous reading before the start of your TEFL certification course. This will provide you with general information regarding the TEFL world. Once you complete each of the 4 tasks, you will be asked to e-mail them to our office for correction and feedback.

The pre-course materials are an overview of foreign language teaching-learning, they cover features such as: How people learn languages, learning a foreign language vs. acquiring a second language, foreign language learners’ styles and strategies, etc. The introduction to the above topics will indeed help you prepare to make the challenge and intensity of your course an even more pleasant experience.

We will also provide a glossary of TEFL terminology that you will be using throughout your teaching career. We would like to emphasize that the pre-course materials are by no means a test. Nevertheless, they are a useful introduction to the TEFL profession.

Does your school recommend accommodation options or arrange it for students?

We can provide accommodations for trainees at a very competitive rate during their stay in Guadalajara. The accommodations we provide are clean and comfortable. Students can choose from a variety of options:


Homestay Program

Homestay with a Mexican host family. You receive three meals a day and have your own private bedroom. Homestays are usually a 35-45-minute bus journey from the Training Center. Guadalajara, as with most metropolitan cities, has residential areas and commercial areas. Because of our privileged location in the Downtown Historical Area, we do not have host homes that are within walking distance. Our area is mostly historical buildings, restaurants, stores, etc. We select families that live in safe, pleasant neighborhoods, with easy access to public transportation. All home-stay families have been carefully selected and their properties inspected. This option is particularly useful for those who wish to practice their Spanish. Homestay Program includes:

  • One student per family unless otherwise requested.
  • Three meals per day (one packed lunch to bring with you to school).
  • Begins one day prior to the beginning of the classes and concludes up to one day after classes finish.
  • Students do their own laundry.
  • Mexican cooking. 


Inns, Hostels and Hotels:

  • Hostels: Only a short walk from our Training Center, there are private and shared rooms equipped with a common kitchen and dining room conditioned ideally for having a conversation with other guests, watching cable television, or simply enjoying the day with a cup of coffee and free WIFI. Continental breakfast is included in some. The cost can vary depending on the type of accommodation. Please ask about the price for longer stays.
  • Hotels Four and Five stars: Within a short walking distance, these hotels have excellent facilities on single and double rooms. They also feature a restaurant, lounge bar, room service, free Wi-Fi in rooms and public areas. The environment in all of them is very calm providing guests with a soothing ambiance. They are all in the middle of main historic and attraction sites. Prices range, depending on the type of accommodations.
  • Furnished Apartments: From very good to the best available, modern one or two bedroom furnished apartments, some include a swimming pool, air conditioning and restaurant. We do not arrange roommates in apartments. Please contact us to provide you with fees based on your starting date.

What should students bring on their first day of class? What time should they arrive to the school?

Everything that you may need for the course and the teaching practices will be provided to you. We also have a large EFL selection of books, teaching aids and materials available for our trainees to use.

Students should arrive by 8:45am on their first day of class.

What do students say about the course?

Student feedback about the content of the course:

  • “Be prepared for an intensive but ultimately manageable program.”
  • “A good intensive course that provides trainees with invaluable practicum work.”
  • “The course is rough at first, but it is very rewarding for aspiring EFL teachers.”
  • “This course is very helpful if you are serious about wanting to be a teacher."

Student feedback about live practice teaching:

  • “All of the practice teaching was super helpful.”
  • “Was very helpful to understand how it feels to teach a class.”
  • “I learned a lot and grew as a teacher through the practice and observation feedback.”
  • “A good intensive course that provides trainees with invaluable practicum work.”

Additional pieces of advice from students:

  • “If you plan on working in Mexico upon completion of the course, bring your certificates, diplomas or university degree if available”
  • “It’s also important to bring formal attire for your teaching practice sessions; you need to be looking sharp for your students and job interviews”

What do students say about Guadalajara, Mexico?

Guadalajara, Mexico, is a very safe city. Like any big city you should be aware of your surroundings and take care of yourself. For instance, you won’t have any problems at all traveling around the city by yourself using public transportation and taxis, our students do it all the time. Our students have never had any bad experiences involving crime.

  • “So cool.”
  • “It’s a great city. Lots of stuff to do.”
  • “A charming city.”
  • “I love GDL, it’s a beautiful city and I feel very safe as a single woman.”
  • “Love it.”
  • “Great location.”
  • “Very friendly city.”

Guadalajara TEFL Course vs Online TEFL Course

Guadalajara TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • In-Person 4 Weeks, Full-Time
  • Accredited by the Mexican Government -Meets/Exceeds All Industry Accreditation Standards
  • University-Level Instructors
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 20-Hours Live Practice Teaching
  • Classes Capped at 12 Students

Online TEFL Course

What's included 👇

  • 170-Hour Online Certification
  • 11 Weeks Part-Time
  • OFQUAL Level 5 Accreditation from TQUK
  • Live Office Hours with Your Instructor & Peer-Participation with Classmates
  • Lifetime Job Search Guidance
  • 20-Hours Live Practice Teaching
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Why Our Alumni Love Us!

Kellie Kaufmann

ITA Graduate

Kellie Kaufmann

I found other TEFL certifications that were much more affordable. But I still chose ITA because of their reputation and resources. One of my favorite things about ITA is that you have an assigned advisor. Changing careers and moving abroad was such a foreign concept for me... I had so many questions, I didn't know where to start. I scheduled multiple conference calls with my advisor at ITA and they answered all my questions - not just about the TEFL certification, but about the entire process of moving abroad. The support was worth spending the extra money, in my opinion.

Lorraine McLeggan

ITA Graduate

Lorraine McLeggan

Having met other TEFL graduates - International TEFL Academy graduates are better trained and have so many more resources to pull from.

Many of my fellow teachers had no support resources once they graduated.

 

 

Rose London-Hinman

ITA Graduate

Rose London-Hinman

I decided to get a TEFL certification because it was the most common requirement for teaching in the region I thought about going to. I chose ITA because of the incredible support the advisors provide. From the first email when I wasn’t even sure where or when I wanted to get TEFL certified, I got clear information and follow up calls and emails to help guide me to a decision.

Visit the Mexico section of our blog to read more articles and stories by our alumni about their experiences getting TEFL certified & teaching English in Mexico.