The TEFL Academy

Program Reviews

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Dalreze
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL EXPERIENCE

The experience was amazing, and I gained a lot of knowledge, and I have recommended TEFL to a few people as well.

I would just have liked to get more help with job searching

Taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course is an excellent opportunity for those who want to teach English abroad or online. I recently completed a Level 5 TEFL course, and I can confidently say that it was an enriching and well-structured program

The TEFL course I completed was a 168-hour Level 5 qualification, which is Ofqual-regulated and internationally recognized. The course was divided into multiple modules, covering essential topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, teaching grammar, pronunciation, and the four key language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening.

One of the highlights of the course was the lesson planning and material development module. This section helped me understand how to create engaging and structured lessons for students at different proficiency levels (A1-C2). I particularly enjoyed learning how to adapt teaching materials for both in-person and online classes, ensuring that lessons remain interactive and effective.

One of the advantages of this TEFL course was its self-paced structure, allowing me to study at my convenience. The platform was user-friendly, and the content was engaging, with a mix of text, videos, quizzes, and interactive exercises to reinforce learning.

For those who may need extra support, tutor assistance was available, providing guidance and answering questions throughout the course. The feedback on assignments was constructive and helped improve my understanding of key concepts.

Overall, my experience with the TEFL course was highly positive. The content was comprehensive, the flexibility suited my schedule, and the certification has opened many doors for teaching opportunities. Whether you’re looking to teach English abroad, online, or gain valuable skills for a career in education, this TEFL course is a fantastic choice. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about teaching and language learning!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I ate bitter Ballen in Netherlands, in South Africa we call it Amagwinya or Vetkoek, we eat it with cheese, jam or mince and in Netherlands they put icing sugar on top
Pros
  • Globa opportunities for work
  • Flexible working hours
  • Most jobs do not require a degree
Cons
  • Cultural and Language Barriers
  • Job Stability can be uncertain
  • Quality Varies
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Felipe
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 5 Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Excellent online interface. Student support is fantastic and fast to respond and happy to help. Layout of course was easy to work with and submitting assignments was seamless. Great overall experience!

Chapters are well thought out and arranged in a logical manner. Quizzes are great for ensuring that content has been understood. The quizzes are a great way to prepare for the assignments.

Overall, this course is fantastic for those wanting to learn to teach English as a foreign language. The assistance with finding work is also a great benefit.

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Andrea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Academy

Although I completed the level 5 program online from the comfort of my swivel chair, it was quite a journey into the land of foreign language teaching. I feel totally equipped with all the knowledge and materials to start teaching online or while globetrotting... Of course, only after finishing the top-up courses, that is.

Both student support and tutor support with engaging course materials, helpful links, and weekly webinars were there to give all the support necessary to succeed. I can hardly wait to join the alumni community to embark on the next phase of the TEFL experience with the TEFL Academy. :)

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
While doing the programme I got a temporary position as a teacher so I had to take a longer break. The time available was still enough to complete the programme!
Pros
  • Flexible online programme.
  • Plenty of time to finish the course
  • Lots of information about job opportunities
Cons
  • Seriously, I can't think of any
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Zulekha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Highly recommend

I completed the Level 5 combined course and managed to complete the online portion in under a month as I had enough time to dedicate towards it. I'm extremely happy with the course content and it's quality. The assessments were challenging but not too difficult and the tutor feedback was always quick and provided useful advice I could put into practice. The in-person classroom portion was delivered by a gentleman named Ian who I can't thank enough for making the class engaging and much to learn from. I'm very happy to The TEFL Academy and will seek job assistance when I have graduated.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Delivering a lesson in front of the class was a little daunting but it was easy to overcome the nerves through the support off my peers and the instructor. I had to take advantage of the opportunity so I could really get a feel of what delivering lessons in actual practice would be like
Pros
  • Informative
  • Engaging
  • Meeting like-minded individuals
Cons
  • Long day
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Brogan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

I was hesitant to enroll because I've been out of school for so long and was worried about the tests and assignments but all those fears were quickly put to rest when I first logged in. The material is set up in a very concise way and it so easy to navigate. While there is alot of matieral covered it's broken into very manageable chunks. There are also loads of resources for extra learning on the topics presented in case you need additional support. I think the part that I appreciated the most was the feedback in assignments. It really helped me know where my weak points where and gave suggestions to improve. Overall, very impressed and glad I enrolled.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Definitely take notes. There's alot of information and it's all very useful. I would recommend digital notes as I did mine in paper and now have to transfer them for future reference.
Pros
  • Solid foundation
  • Extra resources
  • Helpful assignment feedback
Cons
  • Some matieral is complex and could be it's own course
  • The phonetics section is taught based of UK pronunciation so was a bit confusing as an American
  • One of the videos didn't play in the course but I was able to find it inline
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Nadia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Outstanding TEFL Course for Teachers Ready to Grow

Taking this TEFL course has been an incredible experience, and it’s truly exceeded my expectations! As a teacher with 8 years of experience, I decided to enroll in the course to boost my CV while preparing to teach English to foreign students online and collaborate with international schools and platforms.

What really stood out to me was the course's comprehensive curriculum. It covers a wide variety of topics, with up-to-date teaching materials and methodologies. Even though it’s an online course, it provides plenty of opportunities to reinforce your professional knowledge and sharpen your teaching and classroom management skills.

One of my favorite parts of the course was the unit focused on analyzing student needs and creating a personalized English course program. This is a skill I’m using in my current job, and it’s been incredibly useful.

A huge thank you to the TEFL Academy for providing such a high-quality, enriching experience!

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Ilaria
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Good program to start teaching

I have attended the online Level 5 diploma at the TEFL Academy. All the areas explained were fully covered with exercises and case study. Both language and videos were accessible and easy to understand (you even have transcriptions). I would suggest to add a list of topics to teach for each level of the CEFR. I would add also some exercises to remember the grammar level. Overall I would recommend it as a starting point in teaching English. Take your time and save all the useful links they provide for further researches.

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Cebolenkosi
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Academy

I am a salesperson by profession, I love teaching but never had any sort of training in the field. I had a great experience using this academy. There were a lot of test your knowledge tests that were done at the end of each unit. You can redo them as many times as you would like but you can not progress to the next unit without passing it with a certain minimum pass grade which I found straightforward forward detailed with plenty of resources provided. I recommend you do this course even if you have no teaching experience!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Assignment C, it had no modal assignment provided like the first two which was a guideline on doing the assignment. It seemed to require knowledge I have learnt through out the course.
Pros
  • Markers are friendly
  • Enough time provided to cover the course even if you are working at the same time
  • The easy access to the course, even on your cellphone.
Cons
  • Big sizes of the slides can be a bore.
  • When you course expires you cannot access any material you would like to revisit.
  • If you have no internet connection you cannot access site.
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Sastee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching English as a Foreign Language Level 5- The TEFL Academy

I recently completed the TEFL Level 5 course online, and it was both a highly rewarding and challenging experience. As a non-native English speaker from Mauritius, the flexibility of studying online was invaluable, allowing me to balance my coursework with my responsibilities as a teacher and a mother of two.

The course provided a comprehensive overview of key teaching principles, covering everything from lesson planning and classroom management to more advanced topics. One of the most valuable aspects was learning how to adapt teaching strategies to suit different types of learners, a skill that will undoubtedly be useful in any educational environment. The curriculum was well-organised and covered various levels of English language instruction, from pre-beginner to advanced adult learners. Additionally, the course introduced important teaching frameworks such as the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), which were new concepts for me.

That being said, the course was not without its difficulties. The three assignments demanded thorough research and critical thinking, which at times felt overwhelming. However, these tasks encouraged a deeper engagement with the material and helped me refine my research skills. Ultimately, they strengthened my understanding of essential teaching methodologies and better prepared me for real-world classroom experiences.

The support from tutors was outstanding. Their timely feedback and guidance were instrumental after each assignment, making the learning process more manageable. Additionally, the online platform was user-friendly, making it easy to access course materials and submit assignments without any difficulties.

Since completing the course, I have been receiving many opportunities to teach abroad, something that would not have been possible without this training. The course effectively prepared me to navigate real-world classroom situations, develop engaging lesson plans, and adapt my teaching methods to suit different learning styles.

Overall, this course was a significant step in my personal and professional development. While it required commitment and effort, the benefits have been well worth it. I highly recommend the TEFL Level 5 course to anyone seeking a thorough qualification in teaching English as a foreign language, especially those who need the flexibility of online learning. It is a transformative experience that opens doors to exciting opportunities around the world.

What would you improve about this program?
The program is already complete and well rounded. However, as the materials is online, you no longer have access to course materials after the course is over. It would be nice if some of the contents could be downloaded.
Pros
  • very effective feedback from tutors
  • great insights on lesson planning
  • applicable to a wide range of students
Cons
  • Overwhelming at times
  • Assignments need lot of time to complete
  • Access to course materials lost after the course
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Lilla Nora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 3 TEFL Course by The TEFL Academy

I personally really liked the forums built into the course, even though the course material is online, the interactive platform makes you feel like you are part of an exciting community where you can brainstorm together.

The tests and exercises were fully in line with the course material, and it was easy to consult the teachers for questions and help.

The biggest challenge for me was completing the assignments. The feedback after the assignments was fully constructive, a lot can be learned from them.

All in all, I think the course is a good foundation for an EFL teaching career.