Frequently Asked Questions

Once you have been formally accepted into the program, this non-refundable deposit is due in order to secure your spot on your chosen course date, provided that there is space in that session. As is made clear in the terms and conditions, this payment is in addition to the course balance fee.

Class time is generally 9:30 am to 5:30 pm, with mid-morning and afternoon breaks and a lunch break. On some days, you will be expected to teach in the evenings, so you do need to block off the month for the TEFL course only, as you will not have time to do anything else such as attend other classes or work. This is an intensive program and many have compared it to a four-week intensive master’s course.

The average class size in Florence is 12, and during our popular months (June- September) there can be up to 20 students. Most of the participants are American, British, Canadian or Australian, although we do accept non-native speakers of English who have a high proficiency (C2 on the CEFR) in the language.

Our trainees teach classes made up of actual English language learners. They come from a range of backgrounds, ages, and religions. Trainees must teach students at all proficiency levels so that they are truly ready for any job opportunity that they find after course completion.

We have some different choices in terms of accommodations. This depends on the month that you choose to attend the course.  We will email you with accommodation choices and instructions on how to secure your accommodation.

Yes, and it is recommended. You will find having your own laptop a time-saver; having all of your data at your fingertips will allow you to make changes easily. The job market and teaching in Italy.

Most likely you will rent a room in an apartment or house with other teachers or students at the university. Of course, it depends on where you choose to live. A pleasant, small 2-bedroom apartment in Florence is about 1,200 Euro per month (600 Euro per bedroom per month), but the cost differs vastly from city to city. It is fair to say that TEFL teachers are well paid by local standards. Local Italian professionals would earn about the same salary.

Living in Florence is a great opportunity to walk, ride a bicycle, or take the bus. The city is quite small, and a car really isn’t needed. Walking is also a great way to discover all that the city has to offer! You can rent a car or scooter if you’d like, though we would discourage it, as it can get quite expensive to park.

Florence has four true seasons, so please dress appropriately: winter clothes and a heavy jacket from December through March, spring clothes from the end of March through May, very light attire during the summer months, and clothes appropriate for mild, but breezy fall weather in October and November. It’s truly a dynamic place!

There are TEFL jobs available in Italy, and we will have information available in order to help you prepare your resume and point you in the right direction. Our staff has experience in the local market, nationally, and internationally, and we will help you in any way possible.

We suggest you begin your search during your second week of the course and start setting up interviews and sending resumes in your second or third week of the course.

We will give you a list of schools in Italy (or in other countries, if you so choose) and help you with resume and interview preparation. We guarantee job placement assistance, but please note that we cannot ‘guarantee’ its graduates employment in Italy. This job placement assistance program is an integral part of the course and is available for as long as you may require it.

The average salary in Italy is about 1,000-1,500 Euro per month. This varies depending on what type of school or company you work for and whether you work full or part-time.

No, but there are some 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.

Of course, you need your passport. When you secure work, you may be asked to provide translated and notarized copies of your birth certificate, college degrees and transcripts. You might also consider obtaining an international driving permit if driving in Italy should be necessary for you. Please be advised that it may be necessary for you to obtain an Italian driving license if you plan to stay for an extended period of time.

If you find yourself requiring medical attention, Florence has a number of very good hospitals and clinics with well-educated doctors.

Pharmacists are also very helpful in Florence and can often times help you in lieu of a doctor’s visit. You will find that some doctors and pharmacists do speak English. The American consulate has a list of all types of English-speaking physicians.

If there is any serious injury, please inform the course director or one of the staff and transportation to the nearest hospital for treatment will be provided.

There is a socialized medical system in Italy. The law states that anyone needing medical attention will be treated. However, you could purchase your own private medical insurance while living abroad so that you could choose your own doctor.

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. Some courses are taught on-site, so you may be asked to travel to area businesses.

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

The main differences between ESL (English as a Second Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) are the place in which English is taught and the purpose for which the students use English. ESL is taught in a place where English is the most commonly spoken language. Speakers need to know functional language and vocabulary specific to the place where they live. EFL is English taught in a country where a language other than English is primarily spoken. Classroom topics can be more varied, and World Englishes (the different, non-standard varieties of English that exist throughout the world) are often the English taught in EFL classrooms.