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The TEFL Academy

Why choose The TEFL Academy?

The TEFL Academy specialises in TEFL courses and nothing else. All of our trainers are experienced EFL professionals. They have all qualified as TEFL teachers themselves, gained years of actual teaching experience and are now passing on their working knowledge to our TEFL course students.

We were the world’s first TEFL course provider to have received official recognition from government-regulated awarding bodies both in the US and the UK. The Level 3 and Level 5 versions of our TEFL course lead to accredited qualifications awarded by Qualifi (a UK-government-recognised awarding body), and are regulated by Ofqual (UK-government department). The Level 3 and Level 5 versions of our TEFL course are also DEAC (U.S. Department of Education recognised) approved as meeting the criteria for Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) status. AQC is a quality assurance scheme that guarantees our courses have been peer-reviewed and meet strict standards and requirements.

Reviews

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Rebecca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 5 online course

I really enjoyed doing my Level 5 TEFL certificate with The TEFL Academy. It was extremely informative and full of videos, quizzes, discussions and links to other resources. It includes 10 units which are really helpful. It explains exactly what you need to do to be a successful teacher. My confidence has grown since doing this course and I now feel comfortable about becoming a freelancer. I also thought the assessments were great. They were well written and it was clear what was expected. I would highly recommend this course to anyome wanting to have a recogonised TEFL qualification.

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Rahima
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Academy course review

I did the 168 hour level 5 TEFL course and it was a really good experience, i was taught all i needed to know about teaching esl and could tell it was put together by experienced teachers, it was real not robotic, answered questions i had in my mind and given a good amount of time to complete. The knowledge check quizzes were helpful with practice. I was exploring the jobs section out of interest and i saw that every country had descriptions/ overview of how it would be like living there instead of only talking about jobs. I would recommend this course to anyone who wants to teach english as a foreign language online or in person.

What would you improve about this program?
In the jobs section,Some countries would be described as unsafe to work in which is important to point out, but there was one that only had descriptions of job opportunities and positive things, and no mention of its safety when infact someone who looked like me would not be safe working there at all. I believe its very important to be consistant with something like this.
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Destiny
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience

I recently completed a TEFL course and found it to be an incredibly rewarding and enriching experience. The course offered a comprehensive overview of English language teaching, including grammar, lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching techniques for different age groups and proficiency levels. The modules were well-structured and easy to follow, with a good balance of theory and practical application.

One of the highlights was the emphasis on real-world teaching scenarios, which helped build my confidence and prepared me for a classroom environment. The assignments encouraged critical thinking and creativity, and I appreciated the detailed feedback from tutors, which was both constructive and motivating.

The online platform was user-friendly, allowing me to progress at my own pace. Support from the course team was readily available whenever I had questions or needed clarification. By the end of the course, I felt well-equipped with the tools and strategies needed to begin my journey as an English teacher.

Overall, I highly recommend this TEFL course to anyone considering teaching English abroad or online. It not only strengthened my teaching skills but also broadened my understanding of global education and communication.

What would you improve about this program?
Honestly, I think this program was extremely enriching and I wouldn’t really improve on anything
Pros
  • Remote working
  • Earning in dollars
  • Rewarding
Cons
  • Digital learning
  • Timeline
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Henriëtte
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 3 TEFL qualification: Review on completion by Henriette Steenkamp

I took this course because I need an additional income to supplement my monthly income. This type of course is ideal for me because I am very experienced in online training and while studying to become a teacher (years ago), I majored in Teacher English as a second language. I needed the TEFL qualification to be able to train online in this modern day and age. I searched online for suitable providers and came across the TEFL Academy. Accreditation is very important for me and they did not disappoint.

The course content and structure was excellent and it contained all the relevant information required to equip me for the task at hand. The material was easy to follow and I learned a lot about grammar, lesson planning, teaching methods and classroom management.

The course I took was a self-study course (online) and I must say, the platform was excellent. I never experienced any technical issues and managed to sail through all the units without a glitch. The course was very interactive, including videos, downloadable resources and quizzes.

When I requested student support, feedback was excellent and provided in good time. Feedback on assignments was really quickly. The Academy indicated between 5 - 8 working days, but I always received feedback within two days.
I really feel prepared to teach English online now and am excited to start. I sincerely recommend this course to anyone interested in teaching English as a foreign language.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I think waiting for the outcome of my assignment was very nerve-racking. It started with running the AI and plagiarism checker, Although I was sure I would have low scores, I still worried. Then the submission and waiting for the assessor to give feedback. I calmed my nerves by reading a book. (LOL)
Pros
  • Excellent content
  • Interesting and challenging assignments
  • Excellent TEFL staff
Cons
  • I would like to have access to the training material for longer, even if it is just to view.
  • I would like a manual of all the content in the units covered.
Default avatar
Junior Micheal
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Learning to Teach English on My Own

I finished the online TEFL Level 5 course, which required me to work through everything independently. Despite the lack of classmates and in-person help, I found the course to be well-structured and replete with information I could use right away. It covered the full range of topics and types of knowledge a new teacher would need—teaching methods, classroom management, and the like, and I learned a ton.

The online format enabled me to learn at my own pace, and I valued the real-world applicability of the lessons. I’ve since applied to some of the teacher placement programs the course suggested, and I’m just now starting to hear back. I feel much more prepared to step into a classroom; in fact, I’m excited about it. I’d recommend the course to anyone who wants to get certified from home and is ready to take a real hand in their learning.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Ensure you are prepared to keep yourself motivated. You cannot rely on others for this.
The online Level 5 TEFL course is packed with fantastic materials. However, since it’s an independent endeavor, you have to really be focused to get through it. There are no classmates or live sessions to buoy your spirits and keep you moving forward. It’s just you and your self-discipline. If you lean more towards needing that external pressure to stay on a path, then be warned: this course is entirely within your control. And it’s a good thing; it allows you to set small goals that really keep you moving. You’ve got to stick to a schedule. And don’t be afraid to reach out to the course instructors if you’re feeling lost.
Pros
  • Flexibility
  • Comprehensive Course Content
  • Helps build independence
Cons
  • No Hands-On Practice
  • Requires Strong Self-Motivation
  • Delayed Feedback

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

Because of geological location; however, the reason I chose this particular program was in part due to it looking more official than the others. On my trip to a foreign country (South Korea), I was told by my friend that I was very knowledgeable about what I knew and wondered how I would do at teaching. With my current job, it made sense with the way the program was laid out.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The provider assisted with making me dig deeper into what I already knew about the subjects; on my own, it was up to me to decide mine on topics' materials for every assignment (the provider also assisted in the matter by providing templates). When it came to reviews, the assessor assisted in what I need to improve and what was good, if not great.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

If I had to give advice to someone that wanted this program, it would be to take their time. Although it can be done as quickly as needed, I would recommend them to take their time. Rushing will make them impatient and the longer lessons seem daunting, making one miss the simple things one already knows.

Be prepared to not have reviews on some of the lessons, as it will seem as they are abundant in the beginning.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day, as it is an online course, is, however, the students want it to be. However, I would recommend doing half a lesson in 2 to 3 days, then the other. Even so, that is still pushing it for those who are struggling; spending 1 hr a day may be enough, depending on how much one covers in that hour.

I myself tried to cover a lesson a day; in the beginning, it worked out fine, until you get to the longer lessons; then you have to take into account the assignments, which would take almost a week to perform properly.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

When going abroad, I was fearing that I would not be able to answer the questions that were being asked. But after a while, I felt more comfortable about that.

There are still times I feel I would not have the answer to some questions, but I am comfortable now that, if asked a question I don't know, I could easily answer it with the appropriate response.

Is there any type of information you would like to point out to others?

Yes. I would point out that it would be a good idea to find out what requirements one needs for the teaching job they want. It is important to note that there is paperwork that is needed as well when going abroad that needs to be taken into account. These two things are easily missed in the thought process.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Jess Morris

Job Title
Student Services
Hi! My name is Jess and I am a part of the Student Services Team here in The TEFL Academy! We deal with everything, from enrolling to certificates and are here to help existing, potential and alumni students with whatever questions they may have.
Jess Morris

What is your favorite travel memory?

One of my favourite travel memories is when I was in Croatia with a friend and we decided to venture in Bosnia Herzegovina for a few days. We stayed in a crazy hostel, with even crazier owners! They brought us to a rave in a cave which was so much fun. The next day we got to explore Mostar and we also traveled to Sarajevo and did a walking tour. It was so interesting!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Getting to work for The TEFL Academy has given me opportunity to grow in many different ways. I speak to a range of different people from different places daily which is really interesting and sometimes we do have little chats about where in the world we are! I've also significantly improved my geography, which is handy!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

My favourite stories are from teachers who teach young learners. The students get so attached to their teachers and they always have gifts from them that the children have made! I love to see the photos also; we often share these on our social media (with consent). It's a good way to show current and future students the opportunities out there when they get their qualifications.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would love to go on our Vietnam internship! I've always wanted to travel to Vietnam because it does look absolutely beautiful, but the internship sounds like a very rewarding one also. Getting to travel the world by also helping those to further their future prospects is an amazing opportunity.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

I think our company is unique in many different ways. Our organization is special because we really do believe in the power of education. We all, in some way or another, have traveled to many different places across the world, and the majority of us have taught also. This gives us a real insight into the actual world of TEFL and the teachers.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Being successful means a lot of different things for different people. I think a successful company really values what they are intending to do, and I believe The TEFL Academy does it in every way. My hope for our organization is that it grows and expands to cover all across the world! Providing a course that helps individuals to further themselves but also to educate others is something that is very special.