The TEFL Academy

Program Reviews

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Helen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Comprehensive and Practical TEFL Course

I recently completed the TEFL Academy’s Level 3 online course, and I was impressed with how well-structured and accessible the content was. This course offers a solid foundation in TEFL theory, teaching methodologies, and practical strategies to apply in the classroom. It’s organized into digestible modules, with each stage covering essential skills for new teachers, such as lesson planning, classroom management, and how to engage learners of different ages and levels.

The assignments and interactive tasks were challenging yet achievable, making it easy to gauge my progress and stay motivated. What I appreciated most was the inclusion of authentic media sources and practical exercises, which made me feel more prepared for real-world teaching scenarios. The feedback from markers was constructive and specific, which helped me refine my skills.

I recommend this course for those looking to start a TEFL career, as it provides an affordable and flexible option that can be balanced with other commitments. Overall, it’s an excellent investment for anyone wanting a quality introduction to teaching English as a foreign language!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
It brings you more advantage than none.
Pros
  • It's handy to have this certificate.
  • It's easy to understand and follow.
  • It's not very expensive.
Cons
  • You don't have a direct contact person.
  • They don't e-mail you some things, you need to go online to check it for updates.
  • Sometimes the assignments are not very clear.
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Steve
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New Opportunities

While I didn't do this course with my eye on travelling and teaching, it'll definitely help you if that's your goal.

Given the economic state of things in South Africa, and as a self-employed and married man (with family), I needed to create further opportunities for my family. Family and friends had suggested a TEFL course from time to time, partly because I had taught in the classroom (including English, many years previously), and partly because I've been in the training and teaching game for years. Working as a motorcycle riding instructor, I've had the opportunities to train riders not only in S.A. but in several other countries in Africa. Ironically, it meant that teaching people who don't have English as a first language was not unfamiliar to me. A natural fit, so to speak.

I took the plunge and signed up for the Level 3 course in April, and I'm glad I did for a load of reasons. The course material was well-presented and followed logically. You'll definitely need and want to do further self-study into aspects such as grammar to up your game for your teaching career (if you can't explain it to a 9 year old, you don't understand it yourself), but that's part of your professional development. Where I hit a minor speed bump was in the assignments. Teaching - both the systems and technology available - has moved a long way from what I was familiar with, so I had a steep initial learning curve to climb. This probably won't be the case for you if you're a recent graduate. Where the TEFL Academy shone was in their support & tutor services. Queries were always answered patiently and quickly. Once I delved into the online resources available, it made all the difference. The end result? I've passed and have my certificate.

While I won't be going travelling and teaching (hey, married with a family remember and an existing company, remember?) the course will definitely get you going in the right direction if that's your path. For me, I'm now looking for suitable online teaching opportunities to enable me to work from home, dovetailing with my training. As a bonus, I've learned a slew of new methods and tech that will make what I already do more efficient, plus take it online.

Bravo, TEFL Academy.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I'd get going sooner on the assignments and not overthink them. Use the tutor support, even if you think your questions are dumb - they're patient and helpful.
Pros
  • Clear and to the point teaching material with plenty of links for deeper study.
  • Keen and dedicated support from the tutors.
  • It's easy to study at home or between work commitments, thanks to the modular approach.
Cons
  • Beware of the information online rabbit holes when doing assignments - but that's not the Academy's fault.
  • No other cons I can think of.
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Brianne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Online Experience

The TEFL Academy provided me with ample amount of information about teaching English abroad. With very little teaching experience, I feel that I am more equipped and prepared to teach English abroad, both online and in-person. The program provided great value, and the feedback and grading were both efficient and helpful. The virtual interface was also easy to navigate and the TEFL Academy readily and quickly offered support when contacted. I have no complaints about the certification/program, and would recommend it to anyone who requires a TEFL certificate for their future endeavours!

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Zinhle
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Valuable Learning with Room for Improvement

I gained a lot from TEFL Academy’s Level 3 Online Course and would recommend it to anyone looking to get into TEFL. The self-paced structure was perfect for managing my own schedule, and the course content, with its online platform references and videos, provided valuable insights. The weekly webinars were a good support feature, though I felt that the 1-hour Q&A sessions could have been longer, as not all questions were answered in the time provided. I also felt that the course could be improved by including mock interviews to prepare us for job applications, as well as by improving the response time from the support team, which was often slow. Nonetheless, I loved the course enough that I’m now planning to take the Level 5 Combined Course to deepen my knowledge further.

What was your funniest moment?
My funniest moment was watching some of the videos on the platform, especially those from BBC Learning English with Dan and Sian. They made learning engaging and entertaining—I’d often find myself laughing while picking up useful teaching tips. These videos were a great way to learn how to teach students in a fun, relatable way.
Pros
  • Self-Paced Flexibility
  • Supplementary Resources
  • Weekly Webinars
Cons
  • No Mock Interview Prep
  • Short Q&A Sessions
  • Delayed Support Responses
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David
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 3 TEFL (Online)

I found the Level 3 online certificate with the TEFL Academy a thoroughly enjoyable and worthwhile investment. The course gives real-life relevant examples and works through all the key factors in the daily work of a TEFL teacher. It is broken down into blocks that make it a lot more manageable, and being able to go at your own pace means that you can fit it around your working/study schedule with a lot of flexibility. The assignments are well-structured and graded quickly with detailed feedback to help you going forward in your career. I feel a lot more confident applying for TEFL positions now with this experience under my belt!

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Caleb
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Beneficial

I found this course to be very helpful. Mainly because my boss offers a raise to anyone who has a TEFL certificate. The website changed towards the end of my study period and that was pretty annoying. In my teaching experience I have never focused on pronunciation. I never even learned the fancy chart with all the sounds on it. So it was nice to study all of those sounds for the first time and I think that I am a better teacher because of it.
Overall I liked the course and found the info pretty helpful.

What was your funniest moment?
Seeing how much yall stress pronunciation.
Pros
  • Easy
  • Short
  • Clear instructions
Cons
  • Website changed
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Deborah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Engaging TEFL Course with Room for Improvement

I recently completed an online TEFL course, which I found enlightening, especially as a retired teacher. The course content was engaging and insightful, offering valuable techniques for teaching English. However, I encountered a few challenges: the course felt rushed, and extending it would allow more time for research on assignments. Additionally, structuring it into elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels would enable learners to follow their preferred stream and build a more tailored skill set. Overall, a rewarding experience with room for improvement.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-wracking moment was facing the first assignment. As a retired teacher, stepping back into the role of a student was both exciting and daunting. I questioned if I still had the skills to take on new methods and technology. The only way to overcome the nerves was to simply dive in and start. Once I began, I found myself reconnecting with the learning process and adapting with ease. Each step forward built my confidence, reminding me that it’s never too late to grow and learn, even as a seasoned educator.
Pros
  • Comprehensive Content – The course covers a wide range of topics, providing a strong foundation in TEFL principles and practices.
  • Flexible Learning Pace – Ideal for retired teachers or busy individuals, as the self-paced format allows for gradual progress.
  • Practical Assignments – Each assignment offers hands-on experience, helping you apply what you've learned directly to teaching scenarios.
Cons
  • Limited Course Duration – The course could benefit from a longer timeline to allow for deeper exploration.
  • Lack of Progression Levels – A tiered structure (elementary, intermediate, advanced) would make it easier to follow a preferred skill level.
  • Minimal Peer Interaction – Without group activities, the course lacks opportunities for networking or collaborative learning.
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Brandon
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Very detailed

The course is extensive and highly detailed offering many opportunities to practice, learn, and grow as a teacher. The course focuses heavily on your abilities and understanding of the process of teaching English in the classroom; whether that is online or in-person. I personally found the courses resource to be invaluable. If you are planning to learn how to teach English as second language I believe that this course should be a requirement to take you to the next level in your teaching. I was already teaching before I started the course and I now feel far more equipped to tackle the world of teaching English as a foreign language.

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Joy Salome
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Insiteful and worth every minute!

The Level 3 online TEFL course was an eye-opening experience that gave me useful language-teaching skills. My understanding of the methods required to successfully teach English to a diverse student body was widened by the combination of theory and the numerous quizzes and interactive sessions. The online approach was entertaining and convenient because it was rigorous but flexible. By the end of the course, I had a firm grasp of classroom organization and language teaching techniques and felt ready and confident enough to design engaging and relevant lessons.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The assignments felt impossible. At first glance, I thought I would have to resubmit them but after adequate research and going over my notes, I was able to pass both assignments on my first attempt!
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Nuraan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I enjoyed the course

I recently completed the 120-hour TEFL certification course with TEFL Academy and I really enjoyed myself.
The self-paced/ flexibility of the course was amazing, the course covered everything that I need to start teaching. The different learning methods was good, I enjoyed the video lessons
TEFL Academy has exceeded my expectations and I highly recommend TEFL Academy to anyone looking to upskill their career opportunities and looking for flexibility.
The tutor support was nothing g short of amazing.