The TEFL Academy

The TEFL Academy Reviews

Janina
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A great first step towards becoming a TEFL teacher

I recently completed the Level 5 TEFL course and I was quite happy with the course overall. I think the course was very thorough, but also managed to cover a wide range of topics. I do wish they reviewed grammar a bit more since my grammar lessons in primary school were definitely lacking (plus it's been a while since I've had to do any sort of grammar work!), and I also wish they shared the correct answers for the quizzes so I could more easily learn from my mistakes. But honestly, I am a college graduate and I found the course harder than expected (in a good way!). The reading and unit tests are not that difficult, but the assignments do require quite a bit of work. However, I did pass all my assignments on the first try and received very prompt responses from tutors and admin whenever I reached out (within a couple days). The tutors were very patient with my questions and thorough in their replies, which I really appreciated. Overall, I think this is a really good course and while you will definitely have to do some outside work/studies if you want to become an expert in any of the subjects (such as grammar), I think this is a great place to start your career as an English teacher. Whether you end up using your certification or not, it's a great and rather affordable way to get a taste of what teaching English entails. Thank you!

What would you improve about this program?
I wish the quizzes showed you the correct answers so I could learn from my mistakes. I did repeat the quizzes several times for practice, and I'm glad that's available as an option even if you pass the first time. I wish there was a bit more explanation in the grammar section (although it was already the longest section, so I do understand that they had to limit it), but a few more grammar exercises would have been helpful as well.
Pros
  • go at your own pace
  • tutor support
  • affordable
What other participants should know
  • you have to send a message and wait for a reply if you have a question since it's an online course
  • some of the activities didn't feel very helpful (questions placed throughout the reading)
  • I think the explanations regarding lesson aims vs level aims, and all those different components of the lesson plan was a bit confusing and I wish that were explained a bit more clearly.
Analia Natalia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best decision!

I managed to complete the Online Level 5 TEFL course despite being a non-native English speaker and working at the same time. I recommend that those who enrol have at least a C1 level of English. The course has the material and the ideal level to perfect and organize the knowledge of those who have learned English through exposure and self-teaching. It is challenging but bearable, and the tasks are designed so that we really practice what we will encounter as teachers. The webinars were especially useful to clear up doubts about the course in general. Some complain about the lack of interaction with other students, but for me personally that would have been problematic. Perhaps in the future they could offer the option to socialize as long as it’s not mandatory. They could also offer some examples of full recorded classes, to get an idea of how the theoretical material translates into practice.
Taking this course is one of the best decisions I’ve made, and I’m already recommending it to my acquaintances. Thank you so much!

Shelly
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Level 5 covered everything I needed to get started right away!

I read that the course usually takes 4 to 6 months to complete, but I made it a priority and worked on it full-time, finishing the entire program in just four weeks. I received a job offer immediately afterward. While searching for jobs, I was able to understand all the industry lingo, strategies, and more in the job descriptions, thanks to the comprehensive training provided by Level 5. I was so impressed with the course that I referred my daughter, and she has just started it! I'm hoping that she will experience travel and teaching.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Learning the International Phonetic Alphabet Chart was difficult for me because I had never heard of the IPA therefore I had to learn it from scratch.
Pros
  • Working on it at your own pace was a positive for me.
  • No deadlines was ideal, less pressure.
What other participants should know
  • I wish there were more real-life examples, maybe seeing teachers in action the classroom would've been beneficial.
Patricia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Review

The TEFL Level 5 course has put me in an advantageous position for teaching English overseas. I felt the content and practical experience suited what will be required of me in the industry, while there were many resources I was able to put aside for future reference. The tutors were also responsive and supportive despite being purely online. The fact that the course was even available online was great, because I could learn at my own pace.
When I made the decision to study English teaching, I wasn't sure where to start. Someone suggested the TEFL Academy to me and to be honest I still wasn't sure. TEFL provided heaps of information about what steps I would need to take and even though I have finished the course they have been amazing at helping me secure a contract with one of their many partners in the city I wish to live in.
I would highly recommend TEFL Academy to anyone wanting to teach English as a Second Language!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Learn the language of the place you will be living in working. Immersing yourself in the culture is so important because it will help your students see you as someone they can relate too rather than just their English teacher.
Pros
  • Assistance with finding work overseas
  • Collection of resources for future use
What other participants should know
  • I accidentally didn't submit my assignment, but thought I did. I would've liked there to have been a pop-up asking if I wanted to submit the assignment so I didn't forget about it.
Zimazile Solace
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Interaction

Overall I this course was excellent, the material was very informative and covered all aspects of the course, even the assignments were straightforward and I loved how if you didn't manage to pass the assignments the assessor would leave comments to help you pass, lastly I think there is room for improvement on interaction with the other students of the course I understand it may be online but at least we should be able to interact with other students of the course. I would advise creating a learner community where they can communicate and share ideas and assist each other in the course

Katherine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 5 TEFL ONLINE

I completed the 168 hour level 5 TEFL course through the TEFL academy.
I found the course was engaging, well structured and the assignments ensured I finished the course with the right level of skill to work as a TEFL teacher. It is a well respected and accredited course, so would recommend to all potential TEFL students. It was helpful to have the interactive forums embedded in the course which allowed me to see what my peers were thinking and ensure that I was on the right tracks with my progress

What would you improve about this program?
More assignments oddly enough!! I liked the consolidation of learning
Pros
  • Easy to use
  • Structured
  • Interactive
Tyrese
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

amazing

Embarking on The TEFL Academy's Level 5 online course was one of the best decisions I've made for my career. As someone relatively new to teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), I was eager to enhance my skills and gain a deeper understanding of the field. This course proved to be the perfect stepping stone.

The curriculum is well-structured and incredibly thorough, covering a wide range of topics essential for TEFL educators. Despite my initial apprehensions about tackling more advanced concepts, the course materials were presented in a clear and accessible manner, making learning both enjoyable and rewarding.

What truly sets this course apart is its practical approach to teaching. Through a combination of interactive modules, videos, and real-life examples, I was able to apply theoretical knowledge to practical teaching scenarios. This hands-on experience not only boosted my confidence but also equipped me with the skills needed to succeed in the classroom.

The online platform is user-friendly and intuitive, catering to learners of all levels. I appreciated the flexibility it offered, allowing me to study at my own pace and revisit challenging concepts as needed. The support provided by The TEFL Academy team was also exceptional; their responsiveness to queries and willingness to assist ensured that I never felt alone on my learning journey.

In conclusion, The TEFL Academy's Level 5 online course is ideal for aspiring educators looking to take their TEFL career to the next level. Whether you're a novice or have some teaching experience under your belt, this course provides the perfect blend of theory and practical skills to thrive in the field. I highly recommend it to anyone passionate about teaching English and making a difference in the lives of language learners worldwide.

Anati
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Helpful Staff

The staff of the TEFL Academy are brilliant and very helpful. Anytime I had a query or a problem that needed help they replied to the email quickly and helped me find a solution to my problem. The recorded lives of each assessment (except for C as there wasn’t one!) were very helpful and made it easier to understand what to do for each part of the assessments. The case study’s in each unit also made it easier to understand how to put each teaching skill needed into practice and gave great examples.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Coming to the end of the course after being sick and not having finished yet.
Pros
  • The staff were helpful
  • The information was set out easy to learn
  • I had fun
What other participants should know
  • Time management
  • It was a bit difficult to understand the coursework at times
  • There was no live for Assessment C
Vivienne
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Level 3 TEFL Review

Hi, I’m a 20 year old university student who completed the course for after I get my bachelors so that way I can teach abroad. I found that I really enjoyed the course especially the platform because online school makes it much easier to complete work whenever I like. Also the site chosen is easy to maneuver. I found the only thing I would hope to improve would be the engagement of the course. I felt like if there were some more mini assignments or tests it would help me put into practice the material being taught.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I would say the first assignment was nerve wrecking! Creating a lesson plan for the very first time can be stressful and there were some challenges for me in terms of trying to come up with something cohesive especially to suit the selected student group.
Pros
  • Teaches different teaching strategies
  • Practice making lesson plans
  • Explained potential future hurdles in my career path
What other participants should know
  • Didn’t always know if I was absorbing the material fully
  • Prefer slides over videos
Fiona
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL Level 3 review

Great course, website a bit cumbersome to navigate, however content was good. Enjoyed being able to do it in my own time.