The TEFL Academy

Program Reviews

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Jayms
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

It’s totally worth it!!!

This course was the best decision for me!! I am an American living overseas and it was so good and so easy to use. The assignments and course work was challenging but it really did help me to become a good teacher. I now work online as an English tutor through Preply and I feel like the TEFL Academy prepared me very well for this. And it was super affordable !!

I highly recommend to anyone that is looking for something new in their life! Especially for those who love conversation and have a flexible schedule!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I think that I would’ve gotten it done faster. There was some really hard times of feeling unmotivated during this course, but! What helped me was knowing I only had 6 months to do it. And thankfully I finished just before the 6 months were up!
Pros
  • Do it on your own time
  • Had a motivating time line
  • Really in depth theory and course work
Cons
  • You have to pay if you don’t finish in time
  • You don’t get to meet anyone in your “class”
  • The assignments took me a very long time.
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Tlalane
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Tefl Academy learning platform

With Tefl Academy experience, while I was learning everything about teaching English and all the methods and best practices, my own mastery of the language was greatly enhanced.
The layout of the course starts with the basics and gradually progresses with more advanced modules.
Good guidance is given throughout with helpful outlines of how to structure the assignments and all the things that need to be included.
Feedback received for the assignments is detailed and provides inputs of how well you performed as well as what can be improved.
Overall experience was excellent.

What was your funniest moment?
Not applicable
Pros
  • Support
  • Efficiency
  • Challenging
Cons
  • Not clear initial communication for specific start and end date of course
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Asli
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience

There’s lots to being a teacher and the TEFL course was really creative in incorporating all the elements of teaching. The content was always interesting and never dull so it was easy to stay motivated until the end, despite doing the course online. I would recommend this course to anyone who is looking for a career change and would like to work overseas, and teach in their own time and in their own way. Thank you for providing us with this exciting opportunity! I can’t wait to see what there is in store for my future.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Dedicate specific time to study and go through the course so I wasn’t distracted
Pros
  • Time manageable
  • User friendly
  • Achievable
Cons
  • Constantly distracted due to being at home
  • Not always sticking to my time schedules
  • Working full time while completing the course
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Richardt
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The TEFL Academy

I am delighted to announce the completion of my Level 5 TEFL certification with the TEFL Academy. The course was an exceptional experience, combining engaging video content with interactive knowledge assessments. I am thankful for the challenging curriculum, which has added tremendous value to my professional development.

Pros
  • Flexible
  • Self-paced
  • Filled with knowledge
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Zuanell
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great experience with the TEFL Academy

Definitely recommend TEFL Academy. All assignments were marked within a few days and although some of the course work was challenging I found that the lectures were always willing to help and provided many useful resources. The work I had to do felt at all times relevant and has already proven helpful to me with the tutoring I currently do. The resource packs are excellent and there is an option that allows the academy to email you possible job opportunities. If you’re interested in teaching abroad or tutoring, I would fully recommend.

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Ellen
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

New area

This was a whole new academic route for me and as an older student it was daunting. However, the format was easy to navigate and the modules were engaging. I have definitely learnt a lot. This has increased both my skills and my confidence. I was also supported by the TEFL Academy staff in sourcing an internship abroad. They put me at ease and gave great advice while going through the process. Moreover, I found this course great value for money. I would have no issues with recommending the program to anyone. It offers a great opportunity to work while travelling abroad.

Pros
  • Challenge
  • New area
  • New opportunities
Cons
  • Daunting
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Eldesoky
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 5 Online

From the minute I started the course I was impressed. The overall design of the eLearning platform and content of The TEFL Academy Level 5 Online course is amazing. It is easy to follow and comprehend the material and the activities are so much fun. I absolutely enjoyed the exercises and assignments. I have never taught a day in my life but after completing the course I feel confident enough to tackle any situation in the classroom or online. I will also recommend you watch their YouTube Channel to get insightful videos and tips from assignments to how to present and tackle lessons. Highly recommend The TEFL Academy.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would make more time to complete the course and start travelling sooner.
Pros
  • Can do course from anywhere
  • 24 hour Access
  • Saves work as you go
Cons
  • Only 6 month access
  • Not that much interaction
  • Browser needs to be up to date for some activities
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Violaine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A lovely experience !

I would for sure take this class again. It was very useful and wonderful. The support team was very nice and I can't find anything negative to say about this class ! Each time I had a doubt or a problem someone would answer to my questions in a very clear and fast manner. If you want to teach English to foreigners, you will find plenty of handy tools. I think it is a perfect way to learn at your own pace. Important to note, I wasn't working when I passed the level 5 TEFL and it took me about one month and a half to get certified !

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice is to do a little bit of work everyday to not get late !
Pros
  • Learning at your own pace
  • Plenty of resources re-usable
  • I feel more confident to be a teacher
Cons
  • A little too much videos
  • It would have been beneficial to talk to students more often
  • It was a lot of information
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Monique
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TTA

The level 5 course with TTA was a challenging, yet engaging experience. The timeframe given encourages you to spend time in TEFL daily, however it does become stressful if life gets in the way. Overall, a positive experience where I was able to learn at my own pace and receive valuable feedback on assignments and any questions I had. Further reading links and videos were also helpful in understanding themes and topics in an insightful and logical manner. The efficiency of the TTA staff is commendable!

What was your funniest moment?
I couldn’t figure out how to set assignments up! TTA gives you a wonderful template to use, however I was almost certain it couldn’t be that straightforward and emailed to ask for assistance. Turns out it was that easy!
Pros
  • Study on your own time
  • Efficient staff
  • Logical course materials and progression
Cons
  • Time frame
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Manuele
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

My experience with the TEFL Academy

The TEFL Academy Level 5 Course offers an exceptional pathway for aspiring English language teachers. Having recently completed this course, I can attest to its comprehensive curriculum, practical teaching strategies, and well-structured approach to teacher training. The course is meticulously designed to cater to both novice and experienced educators, ensuring that all participants acquire the necessary skills to excel in teaching English as a foreign language.

Curriculum and Structure

The TEFL Academy Level 5 Course is divided into several modules that cover a broad spectrum of teaching methodologies, language acquisition theories, and practical teaching techniques. The course begins with an introduction to the fundamentals of English grammar and phonetics, which are crucial for any language teacher. It then progresses to more advanced topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, and the use of technology in language teaching.

One of the standout features of the course is its focus on authentic materials and real-world application. For instance, in Unit 5 and Unit 9, the importance of using authentic materials in the classroom is emphasized. Authentic materials, such as articles, podcasts, and videos, provide learners with exposure to real-life language use and cultural contexts, thereby enhancing their linguistic competence and cultural awareness (Kilickaya, 2004).

Interactive and Engaging Content

The course content is interactive and engaging, utilizing a variety of multimedia resources to enhance learning. Video lectures, interactive quizzes, and practical assignments are seamlessly integrated to ensure a well-rounded educational experience. Additionally, the course offers numerous opportunities for practice, recycling, and revision, which are essential for reinforcing learning and ensuring long-term retention of knowledge.

Support and Resources

The TEFL Academy provides extensive support and resources for its students. The teacher's book is particularly noteworthy, offering detailed lesson procedures, answers, and extra teaching resources. This is complemented by an array of exercises available in the course book, workbook, and online, allowing students to practice independently and at their own pace.

Moreover, the course includes a comprehensive grammar reference section and vocabulary lists, which are invaluable tools for both teaching and learning. These resources are attractively and clearly presented, avoiding the cluttered pages that can sometimes detract from the learning experience (Harmer, 2007).

Balance of Skills and Activities

The TEFL Academy Level 5 Course achieves an excellent balance of all four language skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) and language areas (vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation). The course includes a diverse range of activities, from roleplays and debates to intensive listening and pronunciation tasks. This variety not only keeps the lessons engaging but also caters to different learning styles and preferences (Nunan, 2004).

The course's approach to vocabulary development is particularly effective. For example, the dictionary activity designed for vocabulary and dictionary skills development encourages students to engage deeply with new words and phrases, enhancing their understanding and retention.

Use of Technology and Online Resources

The course also leverages the power of the internet to provide additional learning opportunities. For example, an online task might involve students researching climate change using specific websites, encouraging them to improve their English while gaining valuable research skills (Peachey, 2010). This approach not only broadens the students' knowledge but also prepares them for real-world tasks that require language proficiency.

Cultural Appropriateness and Accessibility

In terms of cultural appropriateness, the course materials are carefully curated to ensure they are relevant and respectful of different cultural contexts. This is particularly important for a mixed-nationality class studying in a foreign country. Furthermore, the course is affordably priced, making it accessible to a wide range of students.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the TEFL Academy Level 5 Course is an outstanding program for anyone looking to pursue a career in teaching English as a foreign language. Its comprehensive curriculum, engaging content, and robust support resources make it a top choice for teacher training. By focusing on authentic materials, balancing various language skills, and utilizing technology, the course ensures that participants are well-prepared to meet the challenges of the modern classroom.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Nothing: everything's good.
Pros
  • Culturally appropriated
  • well structured
  • well taught
Cons
  • Nothing
  • Nothing
  • Nothing