ITA PRACTICUM GUIDE

REAL HANDS-ON STUDENT TEACHING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR ONLINE TEFL COURSE

Your One-Stop Shop For All Your Practicum Needs

What is a TESOL/TEFL practicum?

Like all International TEFL Academy TEFL classes, the 170-Hour Online TEFL Class incorporates "practicum." The term “practicum” refers to 20 hours of practice teaching, observation, and/or tutoring that you must complete in an ESL or EFL classroom setting to earn your accredited TEFL certification.

NOTE: One important fact to recognize is that most schools looking to hire English teachers will not recognize TEFL/TESOL certification courses that do not incorporate a TEFL practicum. 

These TEFL practicum hours allow each student to gain firsthand experience practice teaching with real ESL students, whether it is in an actual classroom setting, or by tutoring a non-native speaker privately. Students typically complete their TEFL practice teaching and observation in their home community, online, or wherever they are living when they are taking our 170-hour online TEFL/TESOL certification course. NOTE: while you may complete a portion of your practicum observing a live ESL class led by a professional instructor, you must engage in at least 6 hours of live practice teaching or tutoring with actual ESL students.

As a TEFL student, you will arrange your TEFL practicum on your own, but International TEFL Academy will provide assistance and guidance.  Basically, you must spend 20 hours in a live ESL learning environment observing an ESL class, and/or practice teaching and tutoring ESL students in some capacity.

Check out our Q&A below to help get answers to any questions you may have regarding the entire practicum process and how it works!

What is the Practicum?

1. What is the practicum?

The practicum is a required part of your online 11-week TEFL course where you put into practice the theories and methodologies you have learned. You’ll complete 20 hours of teaching, tutoring, and observation with non-native English speakers. 

2. Why is the practicum required?

Teaching your first class can be nerve-wracking for many first-time teachers.  Therefore, we believe that hands-on experience with English language learners provides an opportunity for teacher trainees to apply teaching principles to real-life situations, build confidence in skill and pedagogical style, gain exposure to various learning styles and classroom situations, and acquire valuable teaching experience. These components will assist teachers in feeling more prepared, as well as add a competitive edge during the job search and interview process (completing practicum hours is absolutely something you can include on your international resume!)

ITA’s 20-hour practicum requirement exceeds the six-hour international standard requirement for fully accredited TEFL courses. 

Read more: ITA’s Accreditation

3. What does the practicum consist of?

You must complete 20 hours of teaching, tutoring, and observation with non-native English speakers of any age and demographic, as long as English is not their first language. You can mix and match between tutoring, teaching, and observing, as long as you tutor or teach for at least 6 hours. Observation isn’t mandatory, but if you do choose to observe, you can apply a maximum of 14 observation hours.

So to break that down for you:

  • 20 hours of practicum 
  • 6 hours minimum of teaching/tutoring
  • No more than 14 hours of observation
  • Work with non-native English speakers only, no blended classrooms

4. When is the practicum due?

The deadline is 90 days from the last day of the 11-week TEFL course.

5. Can I request an extension on my practicum hours?

Yes - enrolled students may request a practicum extension up to 365 days after the end of their 11- week course. You can do this within the Practicum section of Moodle. 

6. How do I know if my practicum extension request has been approved?

Look for the confirmation on the screen after submitting the request. A confirmation email will also be sent to you.

7. When should I start my practicum?

When to get started with the practicum is completely up to you! Once your TEFL course begins, you may work on your practicum hours whenever you feel ready. Most students wait until the end of the course, but it’s a good idea to at least start securing your location/student(s) before then.

Have previous teaching experience? We do allow for up to ten hours to be waived if If your previous teaching experience meets the practicum requirements and took place within six months of the start of your TEFL course, you may apply up to 10 of those hours toward the practicum. You’ll address these hours in the Write-Up and provide contact information for verification during submission.

8. How long will it take to complete my hours?

On average it takes students about 2 - 3 months to complete their practicum requirement, with the majority of them starting to complete their hours after the course.

Practicum Requirements

1. Do I have to tutor, teach, AND observe for the practicum?

You can mix and match between tutoring, teaching, and observing as long as you tutor or teach for at least 6 hours. Observation isn’t mandatory, but if you do choose to observe, you can apply a maximum of 14 observation hours.

2. Do I need to include observation in my practicum hours?

No - you may complete all 20 hours by teaching and/or tutoring.

3. Can I complete all 20 hours through observation?

No - a maximum of 14 hours of observation can be applied to the practicum.

4. Can I tutor a personal contact or family member?

Yes - as long as their first language isn’t English, and the subject you’re working on is English.

5. Does ITA need to approve my practicum opportunity beforehand?

No - as long as your opportunity meets the practicum requirements, you are free to proceed. ITA will not approve your practicum experience beforehand.

6. How many ESL students do I need to work with?

There is no minimum or maximum number of students you need to work with to meet the practicum requirement. You can work one-on-one, or in a large classroom. The choice is yours!

7. Can I complete my practicum in a foreign language, math, science, etc. class

No - the subject being taught must be English to meet the practicum requirement.

8. What if only some of the students in the classroom are non-native English speakers?

To meet the practicum requirement, you will need to work exclusively with non-native English speakers.

9. Will training, orientation, or lesson-planning hours count toward the practicum?

No - only the hours spent actively teaching, tutoring, and observing will count when English is the subject matter, and the students are non-native English speakers.

Finding a Practicum Location

1. Does ITA assign a practicum location for me?

No - It is up to you to find a practicum location using ITA’s resources or by using your personal/professional networks.

A couple of ways to help you find a practicum location:

  • You can find online or local opportunities through our Preferred Online, USA and International Practicum.
  • Using search engines to find ESL teaching opportunities is also acceptable. Try searching “ESL classes near me” or advertise yourself as a freelance ESL tutor on sites like Craigslist or Facebook.

2. How do I find a practicum location?

While the ITA staff does not coordinate or place you with an organization or student to complete your practicum, we offer a plethora of resources that make finding your ideal practicum experience a breeze!  

Completing your hours at an organization - you are more than welcome to complete your hours anywhere that offers English language acquisition courses to non-native English speakers. This means that you are welcome to find an organization in your area (whether it is a non-profit, faith-based organization, community center, library, etc.) that has ESL courses and does not have to be listed on any of ITA’s resources. This can be completed online or in person.  You are not required to verify your location with ITA as long as it meets the basic requirements listed above in the previous section.  

And don’t worry!  Once you enroll in your course, ITA will offer you further resources for finding an organization. 

Completing your hours as a private tutor - you are eligible to complete all 20 hours as a private tutor to non-native English speakers should you wish.  This means that you are welcome to tutor English language learners that you know personally (friends, family, neighbors, co-workers) or through an organization that offers a tutoring match service either online or in-person. You are not required to verify your tutoring with ITA as long as it meets the basic requirements listed above in the previous section.  

A few resources that ITA offers once you enroll in a TEFL course: 

  1. A one-on-one tutoring program option that Student Affairs can assist you with.
  2. A list of online tutoring platforms and language exchanges
  3. Tips on how to approach private tutoring

3. How do I get started with one of ITA’s Preferred Practicum Locations?

The application process will vary by location. Some organizations will require:

  • An application

  • Volunteer training

  • A clean background check

  • A formal job application process for paid tutoring positions

4. Can I complete my practicum online?

Yes - you can find online opportunities through our Preferred Online Practicum Locations.

5. Can I watch recorded lessons as part of my practicum hours?

No - In order for it to count, the class must be live and cannot be a recording of a live class. 

6. Do I have to do my practicum hours at an ITA-approved location?

No - you can complete your practicum anywhere as long as it follows the requirements.

7. Do I need to get my location approved before getting started?

No - you can complete your practicum anywhere as long as it follows the requirements.

8. How can I make sure my practicum opportunity meets the requirements?

If you’ll be working live and exclusively with non-native English speakers, and the subject being taught is English, it qualifies.

9. Can I be paid for my practicum hours?

Yes - paid or volunteer experience will count towards your practicum as long as it meets all the requirements.

10. Do I have to do all of my hours at the same location?

No - you can work with more than one organization or student by observing, teaching, or tutoring to fulfill the 20-hour requirement.

11. My practicum location is asking for a letter from ITA. What can I do?

Feel free to forward the Practicum Requirement Letter, and reach out to your Student Affairs Advisor if a customized letter is required.

12. How long will it take to hear back from a practicum location, once I’ve reached out to them about completing my hours?

This will vary from location to location. It can take from a couple of days to a few weeks to hear back from them.

Previous Teaching Experience

1. I currently teach; can my classroom hours apply toward my practicum?

Yes - if you are teaching exclusively to non-native English speakers, and the subject being taught is English.

2. Can I apply my previous teaching experience to the practicum?

If your previous teaching experience meets the requirements and took place within six months of the start of your TEFL course, you may apply up to 10 of those hours toward the practicum. You’ll address these hours in the Write-Up, and provide contact information for verification during submission.

Submitting Your Practicum

1. I finished my 20 hours. Now what?

Once you have completed all 20 hours, you only need to submit two things to ITA, a 550-word write-up detailing your experience in an online forum and a Practicum Completion form. You will have access to both the forum and form once you begin your TEFL course.

Upon successful submission of the write-up and form, Student Affairs will review your submission within five business days.  

  • If you submit your practicum after the end of your TEFL course, you will receive your digital certificate in your email inbox within 7-10 business days from the date that your practicum is approved (provided we have received your final grade from your course instructor).
  • If you submit your practicum before the end of your TEFL course, it will take approximately 3 weeks to receive your TEFL certificate from the last day of your TEFL course. 

ITA prefers that all practicum submissions are completed 90 days after your TEFL course.  However, the hard deadline for submissions is 365 days after your TEFL course. 

For complete details on both of these steps, refer to the Submitting Your Practicum section in Moodle.

2. How do I prove the hours I completed online?

Once you are ready to submit your practicum, you will fill out the Practicum Completion Form with contact information, along with the Write-Up.

3. How will ITA verify my practicum hours?

During the review, ITA may reach out to you or the contact(s) listed in your submission to confirm or clarify any information, including the hours completed. 

4. Will ITA contact the organizations or students I worked with to complete my practicum?

We may contact them on an as-needed basis. 

5. I submitted my practicum. When do I get my TEFL certificate?

Upon successful submission of the write-up and form, Student Affairs will review your submission within five business days.  

  • If you submit your practicum after the end of your TEFL course, you will receive your digital certificate in your email inbox within 7-10 business days from the date that your practicum is approved (provided we have received your final grade from your course instructor).
  • If you submit your practicum before the end of your TEFL course, it will take approximately 3 weeks to receive your digital TEFL certificate from the last day of your TEFL course. 

Please note, we do not mail out hard copies of certificates. Learn more about your digital TEFL certificate here.

Practicum Location Resources

USA Preferred Practicum Locations

What's included 👇

  • US-based practicum opportunities that we recommend

International Preferred Practicum Locations

What's included 👇

  • Practicum opportunities around the world that we recommend

Online Preferred Practicum Locations

What's included 👇

  • Online practicum opportunities that we recommend

What our alumni have to say about practicum...

Michael Fusi

Teaches English in Costa Rica

Michael Fusi

I knew that a TEFL certification is what a lot of employers are looking for in a teacher. The success of ITA's graduates led me to choose this program. The practicum was an invaluable experience. I was not a teacher before getting TEFL certified, so this was really my first time in front of a classroom. I taught a group of ESL learners at a local church and it was a great atmosphere and experience.

Anastashia Knight

Teaches English in Thailand

Anastashia Knight

I wanted to have an upper hand on other teachers in the ESL job market - that's when ITA's Online TEFL Course was suggested to me. At the time I had three jobs, so the part-time course was very convenient. I think having a practicum component was invaluable because now that I'm here in Thailand, there are so many "teachers" here with no obvious classroom experience. 

Kevin Neumann

Teaches English in China

Kevin Neumann

ITA's online TEFL course fit my schedule while still working full time and maintaining my life. I thought the price was fair, and the reviews I read were all very good. The practicum was the best part for me. It's one thing to talk about a subject, to read about it, etc., but actually practicing was invaluable. I worked with immigrants prepping for their Citizenship test, as well as working 1 on 1 with mostly adults.

Katie Moss

Taught English in the Czech Republic

Katie Moss

The person I was in contact with from ITA was absolutely amazing and answered all of my gazillion questions over the phone and through email. He is the one who sold me on ITA and was the final push I needed to make my decision. I was very glad there was a practicum component of the TEFL course so I was able to get some hands-on experience. 

Shane Kelly

Taught English in Germany

Shane Kelly

My favorite part of my TEFL course was the practicum where I actually had a chance to engage with real language learners. There's no better training than real-life experience. I chose to teach English in Germany in the city of Berlin. It's not easy to secure a work visa in Europe. There is, however, a particular freelance work visa for English teachers. I discovered that this is unique to Berlin and the rest is history!

Joshua Bottorff

Teaches English in Cambodia

Joshua Bottorff

I chose ITA because it had the best reviews and results. There was very little bad to be said about the program, and they stood by helping their students get situated abroad. I had no experience teaching prior to this course so it was a struggle at first, but a needed one. I feel very comfortable in the classroom now. The practicum was by far the most useful part of the course.