Home / India / Kolkata

Edged by the magnificent Himalayan ranges in the north and bounded by a breath-taking coastline made up of three seas, india has a stunning assortment of landscapes and culture, with captivating historical sites and intriguing royal cities, pristine beaches and mystical mountain tops, dynamic people and exciting festivities. The experiences are endless as the diversity of climate and culture make a visit to India eye-opening and rewarding.

Whether you're in the dusty heat of the south or the snowy cold in the north, you'll travel roads filled with bicycles, auto-rickshaws, sputtering motorbikes, tinsel-draped trucks, camel carts and an occasional cow or two. Take a trip to one of the many wonderfully crowded markets and observe the community of beggars, hawkers, tourists, holy men, business people, snake charmers, children and scurrying monkeys.

In any region, during anytime of year, India offers a vast array of cuisine, dress, language, religion, customs and tradition. The Himalayas offer cool hiking trails and white-water rafting during the summer months, and bustling cities with architecture dated centuries ago, marked by medieval forts and palaces.

The Taj Mahal offers its brilliant history and at the village fairs and festivals you'll find exquisite silks, carved figurines, brass and silver, marble in-laid stones, handmade jewelry, paintings and carpets. The sun-drenched beaches offer wildlife sanctuaries and the sites of fishing villages, speckled by shading palm trees and crystal clear waters.

In many ways, the people of India have not changed their standard of living since 1947, the year India gained its independence. The simplicity and traditionalism is remarkably contrasted to sections of modern conveniences, fashionable buildings and 21st-century consumer capitalism.

The north is the backdrop to the capital city of Delhi with magnificent sight-seeing including Qutub Minar, the tall victory tower built in 1199, the splendid Red Fort and the majestic Jama Masjid with its striped domes and tall minarets.

The opportunity to stay in one of the royal palaces or mansions offers romanticism and society-living and can be balanced with rugged elephant or camel trekking through the hills and valleys of the mountains or through the red-sand deserts.

In 1690, Job Charnok, an employee for the East India Company chose Kolkata for a British trade settlement. The site was selected carefully, being protected by the Hooghly River on the west, a creek to the north, and by salt lakes about two and a half miles to the east.

At the time there were three large villages along the east bank of the river Ganges , named, Sutanuti, Gobindapur and Kalikata. These three villages were bought by the British from local land lords.

City life and environment, the perfect blend of Culture and Modern Lifestyle.

The School

Kolkata is the capital of West Bengal, and is also known as the "City of Joy".

The school is located in the heart of the city. The building is fully-equipped, with spacious classrooms and all the services and resources required of a suitable learning environment.

Your fellow students come from a number of different countries and various continents. Your teacher trainers are some of the most experienced and well-trained in the industry.

The support staff is extremely helpful, courteous and will make every effort to assist you with whatever you need during your stay in India.

Accommodation

TEFL International is able to provide comfortable, well-equipped accommodation for teacher trainees at very competitive rates while attending the course in Kolkata.

There are two options available at present. They are both shared apartments with three single bedrooms. Both have single beds with all basic furniture required, and are equipped with air conditioning. Transportation to and from school is provided free of cost for both apartments.

Type A has a shared toilet, and is US$200 for the four weeks of the course. Type B has a private toilet, and is US$300 for four weeks.

Please be assured that any special requests or requirements regarding accommodation will be taken into account, and TEFL International will make every effort to honor such requests.

Course dates

Coming soon...

Please check out our other course locations if you wish to attend a course before this one becomes available...

Course fees

The total price is divided into: deposit and balance.

The deposit may be paid via a) credit card b) Paypal c) wire transfer d) Western Union.

The balance of the course fee must be paid by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the training center on the first day of the course.

Accomodation Fees

The accommodation fees are not part of the course price and you are free to choose whichever accommodation option you prefer.

If you choose to use our accommodation, it should be paid for either by cash, PayPal or bank transfer directly to the school at the start of the course.

per night

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are my payment options?

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  Course deposits must be paid to our administrative center. Credit/debit card payments are the fastest and cheapest way to pay, but we also accept payments via Western Union, Pay Pal and bank transfer. While there are no deadlines for a deposit, courses can fill up quickly and your seat will only be reserved after the deposit has been paid.

  Once you make your deposit, you will receive an email with an informational packet that provides detailed information about the course and Kolkata itself.

  The balance of course fees is payable via credit card before, or on the first day of the course. Bank transfers are also accepted but must be completed at least two weeks before the first day of the course. Participants with checking accounts in the US may pay by personal check, but payments must be cleared within two weeks of the course’s start date.

  Fees are all-inclusive so you won’t be asked to pay additional costs for course related materials or services. This also includes course moderation, accreditation fees and lifetime job assistance.

• What are my accommodation options?

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  Shared Apartments (Standard US$ 200; Premium US$ 300): You will have an individual room in a shared apartment with two other trainees. Apartments are air conditioned with basic furnishings and a shared bathroom. Transportation to and from the center is provided free of charge.

  Both options are available from the Wednesday before the course begins and prices are for a four week stay. If you would like to choose your accommodation independently, you are welcome to do so.

  We can also recommend some guesthouses near the school or anywhere within the city. Costs around US$ 25 per day or US$ 700 a month; all rooms have air-conditioning, en suite bathroom, room service and cleaning service.

• What travel documents will I need for india?

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  All visitors to India are required to carry a passport valid for at least six months after their arrival date. Visitors to India from the United Kingdom, North America, Australia and New Zealand can stay in India for a maximum of 180 days with a tourist visa which they need to get from their home country and this can easily be extended. Citizens from all other countries should contact their local consulate to obtain current travel regulations.*

  * As this information is subject to change at any time, we advise you to contact your local consulate for current travel regulations prior to planning your trip. For more information on obtaining visas please check with your local Indian consulate or embassy.

• What is the course schedule?

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  The initial orientation is usually on Sunday evening prior to the course start date at 6:00 p.m. The first class will take place on Monday morning at 9:00 a.m. The full course schedule will also be provided on Monday morning. Sessions generally run between 9:00 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. with appropriate breaks throughout the day.

• What can I expect during teaching practice?

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  Lessons are based upon real teaching resources found all over the world and you will have the chance to create your own materials as well. You will receive the aid of your course trainer throughout lesson planning and receive immediate feedback on your lesson after it’s been delivered. Practicum is assessed and a satisfactory assessment is required to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate.

• Is there a dress code?

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  For all input and tutorial sessions at the training location, there is only one specific dress requirement: Both men and women should have a shirt covering their shoulders. The course operates from within a school so we ask you to be mindful of this, as well as being mindful of your peers and to respect the fact that you are a visitor in another country.

  During teaching practice there are specific requirements that adhere to the local dress code. All trainees are expected to dress professionally according to the following guidelines:

  Women: Shoulders should be covered, blouses with sleeves are suggested. No low-cut necklines, very short skirts or bare midriffs. Open-toed shoes are acceptable, but not hiking or flip-flop sandals.

  Men: Long pants, slacks or trousers are required, jeans are not acceptable. Short or long-sleeved shirts with a collar are necessary, although a tie is not required. Loafers or dress shoes are both fine, sandals are not acceptable. Long hair should always be tied back.

What should I bring for course studies?

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Please be sure to arrive on the first day of the course with a notebook and a pen. We also encourage you to bring a laptop as well. We will provide all course materials for you so there is no need to bring anything else for the course itself.