Address: Paraguay 917 street 1st floor, Buenos Aires - (+54 9) 2241 1558 9352 - We're open Mon - Fri, 9:00 am - 17:00 pm
 

FAQs

What is TEFL?

A TEFL certificate is an initial qualification for teaching English as a foreign language. TEFL allows people with a passion for teaching to teach in institutes, schools, or privately with individuals in different countries around the world.

Why become TEFL certified?

Becoming TEFL certified means having the opportunity to live, travel, and teach around the world. You will be able to develop your teaching skills and also gain valuable experience and knowledge while experiencing new cultures.

Do I need prior teaching experience?

No. There is no requirement for students to have previous teaching experience; of course, having experience is always a plus, but it is not required to attend or complete the course.

What is the course schedule?

The TEFL course runs from 12:00pm until 5:00pm Monday through Friday for the duration of the course. Each TEFL course lasts four weeks. During these four weeks trainees will also be expected to complete observation hours and practice teaching sessions. These will either be organized in the morning before class, or in the afternoons after class. Due to the intensive nature of the course, students are expected to dedicate the entire month to the TEFL course, and eliminate any scheduling conflicts that may arise.

Are there examinations? What about a final exam?

Throughout the TEFL course there are four examinations. Each week of the course covers a different theme and is summed up on Fridays with a test covering all of the week´s material. These tests will consist of a review of the week´s material, as well as questions that challenge the student to apply what they have learned to the field of secondary language education. There is no final exam covering the entire course´s material, only the four weekly exams.

What does the course cover?

The course covers a wide range of topics related to teaching English as a second language. These includes an overview of teaching English, teaching methods, motivation techniques, phonetics and phonology, classroom management, teaching grammar, lesson planning, teaching the four basic language skills (reading, writing, speaking, and listening), how to use games and songs, how to create materials, assignments in the classroom, and professional development. The course also includes real life classroom observations and teaching practice sessions.

What are classroom observations?

Classroom observations are when our TEFL trainees observe other language classes. The Trainee observes the class within the context of the TEFL course topics in order to gauge the effectiveness of the class and reflect on different teaching styles and methods. Each trainee will be required to observe 10 hours of language courses in order to complete the course requirements.

What are practice teaching sessions? How are they assessed? Do they provide practical experience? How do you make sure TEFL trainees encourage active learning in the classroom?

  • Practice teaching sessions are when our TEFL trainees teach their own language courses. The majority of these practice teaching sessions will be through English language institutes in the city, although we occasionally organize some classes with our English language student volunteers.
  • These practice classes help the trainee to feel comfortable in the classroom and to begin to encounter the fun and difficulty of teaching. The trainee will have planned all lessons beforehand with the help of the TEFL instructor. Trainees are required to teach 10 hours of practice teaching sessions in order to complete the course requirements. In order to assess the trainee, we have all English students fill out evaluation forms. The TEFL instructor will also observe select classes in order to gauge the trainees´ performance.
  • The practice teaching sessions give the trainee practical experience by requiring him/her to plan a class, execute the lesson plan, and then reflect on how it went. As such it introduces them to how to organize a class, what it´s like to give a class, and how to improve for next time.
  • Having already taught 10 hours means that the trainees will already have experience and confidence in front of a class room to build off of when they go out to teach their own classes in the future. In these practice teaching sessions we make sure that our TEFL trainees are encouraging active learning amongst their students by properly preparing them in effective teaching methods and techniques.
  • We also observe and offer constructive feedback about their performance in order to help them improve.

Where is my certification valid?

Our affiliations with Chichester College and Ascentis Awarding Body in England enable our TEFL trainees to receive an internationally recognized certificate. After the TEFL course our trainees will be qualified and certified to teach English as a second language wherever they desire in the world.

What about job placement after the course?

Our reputation and the high quality of all our academic programs allow us to guarantee our graduates paid job positions in Argentina with local institutes upon successful completion of our TEFL TESOL course in Argentina. We have direct employment contacts worldwide for those students that desire to get their certification in Argentina and move on to teach elsewhere. During the course students will be working with local institutes in order to complete the observations and practice teachings. These institutes, after having met and worked with our trainees, frequently hire them to continue working after the TEFL course has been completed.

Do you offer housing?

Yes, we do, the minimum home stay is typically 1 month. Once you register for student housing we will send you the profiles, photos and prices of the rooms that are available for the selected dates.

How do I register for my TEFL course? What does it cost?

2014 TEFL price is 990 USD. Registration is free. In order to register for the TEFL course at Íbero individuals can either fill out our online registration form located on our website, or come by the school and fill out a registration form in person. This will place the student in our information systems and we will then continue contact with the individual as his/her course approaches.

What do I need to do my first day?

The first day of the TEFL class at Íbero is typically on a Monday (unless there is a national holiday). The students arrive at 11:30 am and the class begins at 12pm. The professor is here at this time and along with the staff greets all new and returning students.
It is important to arrive on time (11:30 am) the first day because it helps to organize the new course and to simplify the process of processing all new TEFL trainees. Students must bring payment for the course in full, their passport to be copied, as well as a notebook and writing utensil. The textbook will be provided before the course begins.

Where are you located?

Our address is Paraguay 917 street 1st floor. We are in the heart of downtown Buenos Aires, and walking distance from many important tourist locations such as the obelisk, plaza de mayo, rustic San Telmo, and modern Puerto Madero.

What about materials?

Each TEFL trainee candidate will receive his/her own course textbook. All of our materials are original, and have been constructed and edited throughout our more than a decade long history as a school. All of our course materials are included in the cost of the course. Each original Íbero textbook is the sole property of the individual who purchased the book, and this material is to be used only for the academic course for which it was created. The textbook is personal and non-transferable, just like Íbero´s classes, and it is prohibited to lend, gift or photocopy the Íbero textbook.

How much does a teacher make in Buenos Aires?

Teacher of English as a second language in Buenos Aires can expect to make between 80 and 100 pesos per hour. As teaching does require some travel and preparation time on top of actual hours teaching, a teacher can expect to work about 30 or 40 hours per week in total. The amount that an English teacher makes in Buenos Aires is enough to support oneself.

What are visa requirements?

In order to take the TEFL course we do not require any kind of work or study visa. Upon completion of the course and beginning to teach, most institutes do not require any kind of special visa and will hire TEFL trainees working with tourist visas. Some institutes will assist newly hired trainees in acquiring a DNI (Argentine national identification and tax registration) and work visas. Work visas may be difficult to acquire before coming to Buenos Aires without pre-arranged work. If one chooses to work on a tourist visa in order to maintain legal status in the country he/she must leave and re-enter the country every 90 days in order to renew the visa. Many countries´residents, including those from the United States, must pay a reciprocity fee upon entering Argentina. This fee is good for passage into and out of Argentina for 10 years, when the fee must be paid again. You should check your embassy´s website for current details on entering Argentina.

How can I pay for the course?

We currently accept payment in United States´ dollars and Argentine pesos.

How many students are in the course?

The size of the TEFL course changes every month. We have a minimum of three trainees, and a maximum of fifteen. The average class size tends to be about four to six to nine trainees.

When is your next course running?

We run TEFL courses every month, year round. In order to check the specific dates check our start dates

As no teaching experience is required to start the course, What are the prerequisites? Must I be a native speaker? Do I need a university degree?

Our TEFL trainees must:
Be at least 18 years of age and an English native speaker or International student satisfying the English Language requirements as follows:

  • IELTS 6.5 (academic format) with no grade/band below 6 or
  • TOEFL paper-based 580 + TWE 4.0 or
  • TOEFL computer-based 240 with essay 4.0 or
  • TOEFL iBt 94 (Listening 20, Reading 23, Speaking 23, Writing 24) or
  • AcCEPT Proficiency, Anglia Examinations www.anglia.org
University degrees are not required to be a TEFL trainee.Trainees are expected to commit to the program and display a high degree of maturity and professionalism. They should have no other commitments during the course in order to focus all energy on the program.

How much does the course cost?

The regular course costs 990.00USD in total. Íbero also offers a second accreditation through Chichester College in the United Kingdom. This extra accreditation costs an extra 500 USD.

What will I be required to complete as a student in the course?

All trainees must complete the 100 academic hours of class with the instructor, complete the 10 hours of classroom observation, complete the 10 hours of teaching practice sessions, hand in all written assignments and materials, and attend all examinations. The assignments include daily observation journal entries, a materials project, a student profile, and various lesson plans. Those wishing to pursue the Chichester college accreditation must complete an additional final essay which involves reflections and reactions to certain reading materials. This essay is then sent to Chichester College in England for approval before receiving your certification.

What is the materials project?

Every trainee will be required to complete the materials project. The materials project consists of designing and crafting two durable materials for use in the class room. The materials can be just about any physical tool that would help you engage the students in the classroom. The materials must be original and approved by the TEFL instructor. These materials should be aimed at involving the student as much as possible, and should try to address different learning levels. Some examples of previous materials include board games, flash cards, grammar exercises, diagrams, and role play prompts. Use your imagination!

What are the observation journals?

During the course of the class trainees are required to maintain an observation journal. Trainees write daily on their reflections of the material that is being covered in the course and how one goes about being the most effective teacher possible. The journal, in the end, will contain daily comments, critiques, observations and feelings on teaching. It will also include observations and comparisons of different teaching techniques, classroom management styles, and lesson plans. Finally, it will include a short essay summarizing what was learned in the course and how it can be applied to teaching in the future.

What if I want to pair my TEFL course with Spanish classes? Do I get any discount?

There is a special price for 190 USD per 20 hours of Spanish classes.. Knowing Spanish is an important part in living in any Spanish speaking country. Please remember Spanish classes can be taken before or after the TEFL.

What Spanish language levels do you offer?

All of our levels are in accordance with the European Common Framework of Languages, and are as follows:

  • Beginner (Principiante I): A1-breakthrough
  • Beginner II Principiante II): A2- Waystage
  • Intermediate I (Intermedio I): B1-Threshold
  • Intermediate II (Intermedio II):B2-Vantage
  • Intermediate III (Intermedio III): C1-Effective Operational Proficiency
  • Pre-advanced (Pre-avanzado): C1- Effective Operation Proficiency
  • Advanced (Avanzado): C2-Mastery
  • Superior (Superior): C2- Mastery

What is the class structure?

Our classes are designed to activate and encourage the use of the four elements of language use: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The first half of class typically focuses on grammar and language study while the second half will employ more conversation, practical Spanish, and activities.

What is Íbero´s system of instruction?

Our system of instruction for Spanish as a foreign language begins with a placement test that will place the student in the appropriate class from among the ample offerings. Once the student has been placed in the appropriate class, the instruction begins with 60 hours, or 3 weeks, of group classes. When taking private classes exclusively, the student is able to reach their desired level more quickly.

Will my Spanish credits transfer?

Since our classes are in accordance with the European Common Framework of Languages it makes our Spanish classes very easy to transfer for course credit from other universities. We will be happy to fill out any paperwork and provide any materials necessary to get course credit. However, it is always best to check with your school beforehand about receiving course credit.

Do I need a visa to study Spanish?

We do not require study or work visas to come study with us. A tourist visa is more than sufficient to come be a student. Students will need to renew tourist visas every 90 days. The easiest way to do this is to take an hour long ferry directly from Buenos Aires to Colonia, Uruguay.

How many students are in each class?

All group classes will have a minimum of three students and a maximum of ten students each. If, for any reason, this minimum cannot be reached, Íbero has the right to modify the class hours. Students in a group class of only one or two people will be provided with an academically equivalent structure of two hours of instruction. Private courses consist of only the student and the instructor, while semi-private classes are two students and an instructor.

When do courses start and finish?

All courses begin on a Monday and end on a Friday. Each level takes three weeks to complete, although students are not required to sign up for all three weeks of a level´s course.

Is there a minimum or a maximum number of weeks I can study?

Students can come for as short a period as one week of study. Students are welcome to study as long as they can, but should be aware that our entire course catalogue from start to finish takes only 24 weeks at most. As such, only with complete beginners can we offer stays of longer than a month or two in our school. With most long term study plans we recommend that the students sign up for only two or three months to begin. Students are always welcome to extend their study plans with us.

Are there any prerequisites for a Spanish course?

No, we do not require anything specific from our Spanish students. Students of all levels are welcome. However, students under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult or have a signed parental letter of consent in order to participate.

Do you offer Spanish classes that focus on specific topics?

Yes. We offer a number of specialty Spanish courses. Currently we offer Medical Spanish, Argentinean and Latin American literature, Spanish for Travelers, History and Politics of Argentina, Business and Finance Spanish, Resume/CV writing, and can tailor any class to cover topics of your choice. We also offer DELE and CELU preparation courses.

What are your professors like?

All of our professors are native Argentines certified in teaching Spanish as a second language, and many hold upper level degrees in the field. We only hire experienced, professional, and engaging professors. Our professors also speak English and a number of other languages, so even if you are a complete beginner you will be able to communicate.