CORONAVIRUS &

TEFL CERTIFICATION
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
CORONAVIRUS & TEFL - WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS?

Important Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update From International TEFL Academy:

Updated May 2021

To All Our Future World-Travelers, Passionate Educators & Fearless Adventurers, 

As leaders in the TEFL certification field, our entire team works hard to educate ourselves as much
as possible about COVID-19 and its impacts on our industry moving forward in 2021 and beyond.
Our goal is to share transparent, current information with you about the realities of teaching abroad
and online so you can make informed decisions while making your TEFL certification plans.

There is no reason for us at ITA to believe that the demand for foreign English teachers worldwide
will go away because of COVID. To learn more about your options for getting TEFL certified and
teaching English abroad or online during COVID-19, read our latest COVID-19 FAQ article.

We’re just a phone call away, so don’t hesitate to reach out at (773)-634-9900. We’ll do our best to
keep all of our resources updated and keep everyone in the loop. And as for now, stay safe, practice
social distancing, and be sure to stay up to date with travel recommendations issued by trustworthy
sources such as the CDC and WHO.

Cheers to all the adventures to come!

Team ITA
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INDEX
1 Is A TEFL Certification Right For Me Right Now? ... 1
2 What TEFL Certification Class Should I Take During COVID-19? ... 3
3 What Is A Realistic Timeline For Teaching Overseas and Online? ... 4
4 Can I Teach English Online During COVID-19? ... 7
5 FAQs About COVID-19 & Getting TEFL Certified ... 9
6 Additional Resources ... 11
 1. IS A TEFL CERTIFICATION RIGHT FOR
ME RIGHT NOW?
With communities - and even entire countries - on lockdown and international travel at a standstill,
does it still make sense to invest in a TEFL certification right now? It’s completely reasonable to
have doubts about planning trips overseas. It’s a scary time. For many of us, the big event of the day
is walking the dog or binge watching documentaries, so it’s hard to imagine that in 6-9 months from
now you might be teaching English abroad somewhere like South Korea, Spain, or Costa Rica.

Read: What is TEFL and What is TEFL Certification?

There are many points to consider when evaluating if now is a good time to invest in a TEFL
certification with International TEFL Academy:

>> Are you interested in teaching English online?

We will cover teaching English online (TEO) extensively in chapter 4, but it’s important to
mention now because it’sRead
a viable
moreway for you
about thetodynamic
earn money if the coronavirus and lockdowns
ITA team
continue in the U.S. and Europe. Even if your goal is to ultimately teach English overseas, you can
TEO safely from home in the meantime until international travel is up and running again. Take
advantage of any downtime that you have. This is also a great way to gain some teaching
experience for your resume and boost your income from home, too!

>> On average, it takes 6-9 months to complete your Online TEFL class and begin teaching
abroad.
Getting TEFL certified and moving your life overseas takes significant time and planning. If your
goal is to teach English in Spain this fall, for example, now is the time to start planning anyways.
So don’t let the coronavirus delay or prevent you from taking the first step in your planning. We
will dive deeper into timelines for teaching abroad and online in chapter 3.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 1

>> Education is largely recession proof.
It might be hard to imagine right this second, but the world is going to go back to normal.
Language schools will reopen, students will be eager to invest in education to improve their job
prospects, and employers are going to be seeking TEFL certified teachers.

>> Your ITA TEFL certificate never expires and neither does your job search guidance.
We aren’t going anywhere. Your ITA TEFL certification is a lifetime investment and something
you’ll forever have in your back-pocket. Whether you’re going abroad when the pandemic is over
or in three years, we will be here and ready to assist you every step of the way.

So if you plan on teaching English online or overseas in the future, now is as good of a time as any
to begin your TEFL certification class. We want each and everyone of you to be able to achieve your
goal of getting TEFL certified, so we’re offering flexible payment options for our Online class. Get in
touch with your ITA Admissions Advisor and you can work together to create a customized plan that
fits your needs.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 2

 2. WHAT TEFL CERTIFICATION CLASS
SHOULD I TAKE DURING COVID-19?
ITA’s 170-hour Online TEFL class is the best option for getting TEFL certified during the coronavirus
pandemic. This 11-week, part-time class can be taken safely from home and your 20-hour
practicum (practice teaching) requirement can be completed by teaching online. We are running a
new Online class every 2 weeks, and we don’t anticipate any delays or cancellations due to the
coronavirus, so this is a very reliable course option. 

It’s hard to know for sure when our 4-week In-Person TEFL classes will be up and running again.
The situation varies country-by-country depending on what stage of the outbreak each country is
in, but as of now we are predicting these classes could resume mid-summer or fall.

If your heart is set on taking one of our In-Person TEFL classes, talk with your ITA Admissions
Advisor and they can help you create a plan as well as some backup plans. But for now, the Online
class is a safe bet and is a great way to get your planning started and take control of your
adventure. Don’t worry, both our Online and In-Person TEFL classes are internationally accredited
and will enable you to teach online and in 80+ countries overseas. 

Be sure to reference our coronavirus announcements page for the latest TEFL class updates and
cancellation information.

Coronavirus FAQs: TEFL & Teaching English

Abroad or Online - What Are My Options?

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 3

3. WHAT IS A REALISTIC TIMELINE FOR TEACHING
OVERSEAS & ONLINE DURING COVID-19?
There are a few key considerations when creating a timeline for teaching overseas and online,
especially during the coronavirus pandemic. The major milestones are enrolling in your TEFL class,
completing your practicum hours (practice teaching), and working with your ITA Student Affairs
Advisor on your job search.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 4

Let’s break down each of these key steps for teaching English overseas:

>> Get TEFL certified (3-4 months): We’re encouraging all prospective students to take our 11-
week, 170-hour Online TEFL class. This class is part-time and requires about 10-hours of
coursework per week. There’s no live time, so if you’re working full-time or going to school
full-time, you can easily complete this class simultaneously. There are 20 other students in
your class, so there is a lot of engagement in addition to weekly peer participation
questions. You can technically work ahead in the course and finish your coursework faster than
11 weeks, but you can’t graduate or receive your certificate early because your instructor will
be grading each of your assignments week-by-week. Read more about how quickly you can
become TEFL certified and start teaching.

>> Practicum (up to 60 days after your Online class ends): The Online class has a required 20-
hour practicum component that can be completed during or after your TEFL class is over. If you
complete your practicum during your class, then you’ll be done with your TEFL class in 3
months.

>> Job Search With Student Affairs (3-6 months): Your job search guidance with ITA begins the
day you enroll in your TEFL class. So you can begin working with your ITA Student Affairs
Advisor as soon as you’re ready. Your job search timeline varies because everyone’s timeline is
unique, and this is especially true during the age of the unpredictable coronavirus. 

Of course it’s impossible to predict how the coronavirus will unfold around the world, but let’s
hypothetically say language institutes begin hiring again in August 2020. If you begin your
TEFL class in April 2020, it’s absolutely possible to be ready to start work in August. Even if you
don’t anticipate going overseas until 2021, your ITA job search guidance never expires. We are
always here to help you. 

Your Student Affairs Advisor can assist you with everything from creating your resume and
cover letter, to vetting out different language schools and reviewing your job contracts. To
learn more about how your Student Affairs Advisor will help you with your job search, check
out our job search guidance overview.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 5

Let’s break down each of these key steps for teaching English online (TEO):

From the time you begin your Online TEFL class, it’s possible to be teaching English online in about
4 months. After the 11-week Online TEFL class, the process of lining up an online teaching job can
take at least a couple weeks with interviews. 

Especially during the coronavirus era, we understand some of our teachers are looking to begin
TEO as soon as possible. You may be able to get part-time work teaching or tutoring online during
your TEFL class. These opportunities are usually part-time and offer lower pay, as most major
online teaching companies will only hire you once you have your TEFL certification. 

Be sure to talk with your Student Affairs Advisor if you’re looking to begin TEO quickly, and they can
guide you through the process and help you secure legitimate employment.

Check out our TEO Comparison Chart to compare tons of

different online teaching schools and their hiring requirements!

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 6

 4. CAN I GET PAID TO TEACH ENGLISH
ONLINE (TEO) DURING COVID-19?
YES! Teaching English Online was a booming industry before the coronavirus and it’s experiencing
even more growth because ESL students in other countries are also socially isolated and on
lockdown, and therefore taking classes online. TEFL certified English teachers are in-demand and
there are legitimate opportunities to put your certificate to use and earn some money from the
comfort of your home. 

If you recently lost your job and are looking for a new way to earn money, TEO could be a great
option to consider. If your plans of teaching overseas are on hold for the moment, TEO could be a
great way to put your certificate to use in the meantime. If you’re sick and tired of hanging out at
home and are craving some social interaction and eager to make a positive difference, TEO is a
fantastic medium to do so!

Read More: How Much Money Can I Make Teaching English Online?

The Highlights of Teaching English Online:

>> Great Way to Boost Income: First-time TEFL certified teachers can earn $15-$20 per hour
teaching online. Are you going to get rich? Probably not, but it’s a dependable income during
uncertain economic times. TEO can be a part-time side hustle or a full-time job, so you truly
are in control of your income and how much or little you want to work. 

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 7

>> You Can Work Safely From Home: Whether you’re in the U.S., Costa Rica, or Japan, if you
have a laptop with a webcam and a strong internet connection, you can TEO. 

>> No Degree? No Problem: You can still TEO if you don’t have a university degree. Yes, some
companies require their teachers to have degrees, but there are still plenty of jobs out there if
you don’t have one. Read more about TEO without a degree.

>> Resume Booster: If you plan to teach English abroad in the future, TEO now and gain valuable
resume and teaching practice. Not only will this experience boost your confidence but it will be
a great talking point in resumes. 

>> It’s Fun and Rewarding (Especially During Social Isolation & Lockdown): In a time when
everything feels up in the air and uncertain, human connection has become that glimmer of
hope and positivity in the day. It’s hard to be home all the time, so TEO is a fantastic
opportunity to engage with people around the world and truly help them at the same time. The
English language skill is an extremely valuable asset for students around the world, so you are
providing them with an in-demand skill set.

Talk with your ITA Admissions Advisor about TEO and all of your options during the coronavirus.
We’re eager to help you make this dream a reality. If you’ve never taught English online before and
are looking for specialized training, we also offer a 2-week add-on TEO class that you can take after
your standard TEFL class ends. This add-on class covers everything you need to know to run a
classroom online and also helps you prepare some of your TEO interview and job search materials,
too!

Read: 4 Reasons You Need ITA's Teaching English Online Specialty Class

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 8

 5. FAQS ABOUT COVID-19 &
GETTING TEFL CERTIFIED
In a time when there is so much unknown, we’re doing our best here at ITA to keep all of you in the
loop on what’s happening in the industry of TEFL certification and teaching English abroad & online.

>> What is the current status of In-Person TEFL Classes around the world? 
Check our coronavirus class updates page to see the status of all our In-Person TEFL classes. As
soon as we know about a class closure, we will update this page. 

>> When can I expect In-Person TEFL classes to resume?

The situation around the world is unfolding rapidly and it’s extremely difficult to predict how it
will affect TEFL classes. As of now, we are estimating that classes could resume mid-summer or
fall, but again, it’s hard to predict at this point in time.

>> Why should I get TEFL certified with ITA?

Touché - fair question! We could go on and on about how great we are, but we’d rather let our
alumni do the talking. Check out our reviews and testimonials page to hear from our graduates.
We also encourage you to check out our reviews on industry websites like GoAbroad &
GoOverseas! 

>> What is ITA’s refund policy if my TEFL class is canceled?

You have a variety of options if your TEFL class gets canceled because of the coronavirus. Your
Student Affairs Advisor can assist you in transferring to a later class date or into the Online class
(no transfer fees). You’re also eligible for a refund. Read more about ITA’s terms and conditions.

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 9

 Read: Will ITA Help Me Find a Job Teaching English Online?

>> What if it’s not safe to travel overseas in the next 6-9 months?
Your ITA TEFL certificate never expires and neither does your job search guidance. We aren’t
going anywhere. Your TEFL certificate is a lifetime investment that you’ll have in your back
pocket forever. So even if you can’t go overseas this fall because of the coronavirus, your TEFL
certificate is still valid and not a waste. Your Student Affairs Advisor will be ready to assist you
and adjust your timeline depending on how the coronavirus progresses.

>> Does My ITA job search guidance include assistance finding work teaching online?
Yes! Your Student Affairs Advisor will be able to assist you in finding both online and in-person
teaching jobs. Read more about ITA’s lifetime job search guidance.

>> Does ITA still have teachers overseas during the coronavirus?
Yes, we still have teachers all over the world. Everyone’s situation is different and we’re doing
our best to support our alumni at this time. We’re actively collecting stories from our graduates
around the world in hopes of better understanding what it’s like living overseas during the
coronavirus. We will continue to update this section of our blog with alumni testimonials as we
receive them.

>> How Do I Get In Touch With an ITA Admissions Advisor?

Fill out this form and an expert Admissions Advisor will be in touch!

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 10

 6. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Top ITA Coronavirus Resources
>> Coronavirus Updates From ITA 
>> Coronavirus FAQs: TEFL and Teaching Abroad & Online - What Are My Options?
>> Get In Touch With An ITA Admissions Advisor
>> Center For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
>> World Health Organization (WHO)
>> U.S. State Department Travel Guidance
>> [WEBCAST]: TEFL In The Age Of The Coronavirus

Top Teaching English Online Resources:

>> Teaching English Online: Your Guide On How To Make Money From Home Or Abroad
>> 5 Countries That Will Hire You To Teach English Online Without A Degree
>> 7 Companies That Will Hire Non-Native Speakers To Teach English Online

Top TEFL Certification Resources:

>> Teach English Abroad Overview
>> Country Comparison Chart 
>> ITA TEFL Class Dates & Fees
>> ITA TEFL Class Index

International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 11

SO... WHAT'S NEXT?
SPEAK WITH AN EXPERT ADVISOR
Get Your Questions Answered By An Experienced Advisor Who Has Lived & Taught Abroad.

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International TEFL Academy www.internationalteflacademy.com 773.634.9900 12