TEFL / TESOL CERTIFICATION COURSE
IN CHICAGO, USA

TEFL / TESOL COURSE OVERVIEW

Please Note: The Chicago TEFL Course will be held online in 2021. We will resume in-person classes in 2022.

ITA's Chicago TEFL Course was named #1 Best USA TEFL Course by GoAbroad.com

Internationally accredited & taught by experienced instructors, this 4-week intensive TEFL class at ITA's World Headquarters in Chicago will provide you with professional-level English teaching skills in addition to a recognized qualification for teaching English online & around the globe.

Conveniently situated in the dynamic neighborhood of Lakeview, we are a mile away from Lake Michigan on Diversey Parkway just north of Lincoln Park, DePaul University, and a short walk from world-famous Wrigley Field (home of the Chicago Cubs for you sports fans).

With the Diversey Brown Line "El" (subway) stop just a block away, public transportation is easily accessible. It's a quick 15-minute ride to "The Loop" in downtown Chicago, which is home to the city's greatest architectural and cultural landmarks, including Michigan Avenue, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, Soldier Field, the Willis Tower (famously known as the Sears Tower), and hundreds of world-class restaurants, shops and bars.

During your TEFL Certification class, you will receive instruction from two university-level professors and work with our highly experienced team of advisors and support staff. Our staff members have all lived, traveled and worked abroad, and collectively we have lived and traveled in more than 80 countries around the globe. In fact, because we like to practice what we preach, it is a requirement that all staff members have extensive international travel and work experience.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be prepared for the intensive nature of this course. It is an intense, full-time university-level course. You will be in class full-time 5 days a week & there is homework as well. In addition, approximately twice a week, students will stay until 8 pm to complete practice teaching (other class days wrap up around 5:30 pm).

TEFL / TESOL Class Details

LENGTH OF TRAINING:

4 weeks full-time (190 hours). This is an intensive university-level course.

TEFL COURSE DATES & AVAILABILITY:

We recommend enrolling at least 90 days prior to your course start date. This is a very popular course and often fills in advance. More information here.

DAILY SCHEDULE & INTENSITY:

Students should expect to be in class from 9:30 am - 5:30 pm (with breaks), Monday-Friday. Students will also need to stay later until 8:00 pm approximately twice a week to complete their practicum. Weekends are primarily free for sight-seeing and relaxation, but some homework is required. Check out this sample Chicago TEFL Class calendar.

COURSE LOCATION:

Earn your internationally accredited 190-hour Chicago TEFL Certification at International TEFL Academy's world headquarters, ideally located in the heart of Chicago's Near North Side, 1 block from the Diversey Brown Line "El" stop.

CLASS SIZE & FACILITIES:

Classes are capped at 12 students; Internet access is available at the school facilities.

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. For more details, check out this Chicago TEFL Class Syllabus & our Chicago TEFL Class Content Page.

PROFESSORS & LIVE PRACTICUM:

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

ACCREDITATION:

ITA-operated classes are externally monitored & approved at a Level 5 Ofqual (British Government) accreditation by TQUK (authorized accreditor of Ofqual). Our certificates are recognized worldwide at the highest level for TEFL certification. 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 $ 2,195 ($ 600 Deposit, $ 1,595 Balance).
We have a discount running this month. Check TEFL Course Dates & Tuition.

TUITION INCLUDES:

• TEFL course tuition
• All Course Materials
• Assistance with making housing arrangements (housing costs not included)
• Welcome Lunch & graduation Party
• Lifetime job guidance advice worldwide, including workshops during the course

TUITION DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Personal Expenses
• Transportation
• Visa, insurance
• Housing costs
• Course Textbook (purchase upon enrollment)

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES:

A variety of free & paid activities/excursions are available to students. Popular activities typically include:

• Wrigley Field, Bars, Lake Michigan: walking distance
• Millennium Park, Water Tower Place Mall: 20 minutes by bus/train
• Theaters, Museums, Navy Pier: 30 minutes by bus/train

Enrollment & Eligibility

Prior to enrolling for this course, you must:

• Conduct an interview and complete the application process. Further details.
• Speak to an Admissions Advisor. Your advisor will answer your questions and assist you with matters such as your eligibility & enrollment; course costs & logistics; and your options for employment after your TEFL Class.

TO SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR & ENROLL FOR THIS COURSE:

• Please call 773-634-9900 or fill out a contact form.
• When you are ready to enroll your can register for the course here.
• Please visit our Registration Procedures Page & review our Terms & Conditions prior to enrolling.

NON-NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS:

• You must complete an interview & submit a written essay to verify your English skills.
• Read more: Non-native English Speakers & TEFL.

NON-US CITIZENS:

Our courses in the United States are available for all citizenships, ethnicities, native and non-native English speakers.  For non-US citizens or non-legal residents of the USA, you will need to understand US law and the visa that allows or doesn't allow you to enroll into job training courses (vocational training).  

1. It is your responsibility to understand this information prior to registration and we highly advise prospective students with non-legal US status outside the US to not enroll in a Chicago TEFL class or make any travel arrangements until you have the correct visa. ITA does not check visa status for enrollment into our TEFL courses.  Your ID will be checked on the first day of class only to verify that you are the correct student registered for the course. This complies with our accreditation and issuance of the completed TEFL certificate.
2. Non-US citizens or non-legal residents trying to enter the US on a visa need to comply with the US State Department's regulations. Note that a tourist visa does not allow foreign citizens to enter the US with the intention of taking a job training course. A Student Visa is for this purpose and the Chicago class is not authorized to issue this.  ITA cannot assist students to obtain any visa for the Chicago TEFL Course. Our partner school in NYC does have processes in place for getting a Student Visa.

Housing Arrangements

We can provide advice on housing options nearby in hostels that are located in Lincoln Park and downtown Chicago, all within minutes from public transportation.

Several hostels are conveniently located near the course location with prices ranging from $27-$35 USD and up per night. Hostel options include Hostellng International, AAE Chicago Parthenon Hostel, and Chicago Getaway Hostel.

Short-term furnished apartments and subleased rooms are available throughout the city year-round. 

A great option is found through AirBnB where you can rent a furnished apartment from the owner or rent a room in their place.