The TEFL Academy

Program Reviews

Carlos Ignacio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

TEFL course review

To be honest, at the beginning I felt a little bit worried because I didn´t know what expect from the course, but once I started, I found it really intuitive and easy to follow, I should mention that the course and task are easy to understand but is neccesary you as an student should organize properly to complete in time and not rush anything. About the content, well, I should mention they give me new ideas and perspectives about how to approach my classes and make it more engaging for my students.

Sophie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Really accessible and informative course

This was an excellent course. I really appreciated the flexibility in how I could manage my time, and the content was consistently clear and well structured. The variety of learning materials such as quizzes, videos, readings and images kept the experience engaging throughout.

The assignments are challenging, but the expectations are clearly explained, so you never feel unsure of what is required. You genuinely develop strong skills, and by the end of the course you truly feel you have earned the title of EFL teacher.

What would you improve about this program?
If I could suggest one improvement, it would be to include more focus on practical online teaching and to provide additional tools that support that aspect of the program.
Pros
  • Clear instructions
  • Versatile with lots of different types of engagement
Cons
  • The assignment formats didn't always work properly
  • Can be even more tailored to online teaching
Renize
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The TEFL Academy is amazing!

Studying with The TEFL Academy was an absolute wonderful experience! As a undergraduate language student I see the Level 5 TEFL course as a gateway to multiple opportunities for my future success. The course is very well-structured and easy to follow, I also found the assignments fairly difficult but in a good way because the assignments are linked to how teaching will really be once I finished the course. My markers' feedback on my assignments were also very detailed and helpful. Therefore, I highly recommend the Level 5 TEFL course!

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
My most nerve-racking moment was that I feared my time to complete this course is running out because I did this course while balancing my own personal studies at my current University. I overcame this moment by creating a great balance between my studies and the course. I sat and worked at least two hours a day on the course and happily completed it two weeks before my time ran out.
Juan Carlos
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

From University Professor to Confident EFL Teacher

I originally enrolled with The TEFL Academy just to “explore options”, but the course ended up reshaping my professional plans. I’ve been a university professor for many years, and this qualification has given me a clear, practical pathway into teaching English as a foreign language.

The online course was well structured and easy to follow, with each unit building logically on the last. The assignments were challenging in a good way and closely linked to real classroom practice. My tutors’ feedback was detailed and respectful, which helped me improve rather than simply tick boxes.

Thanks to this course, I now feel confident about integrating ELT principles into my university teaching, offering English classes part-time (online and in person), and eventually moving into Business English and academic English. For anyone who already works in education or is considering a career change into TEFL, I would highly recommend this course as a solid, professional starting point.

What would you improve about this program?
If I had to suggest improvements, I would mention two areas. First, it would be helpful to have even clearer guidance and concrete examples for some of the assessment criteria, especially around what counts as an “authentic text” and what does "not". A short list of recommended websites or sample texts that are acceptable (and unacceptable) would avoid confusion later on in the assignments.

Second, a few more practical video examples of full lessons or classroom interactions, particularly for different contexts such as business English or very young learners, would make it even easier to see how the theory looks in real life.

Apart from these small points, I found the course very well designed and I genuinely feel it has prepared me to start teaching with confidence.
Pros
  • The course was very well structured and clearly linked theory to practical classroom activities.
  • Tutor feedback on assignments was detailed, constructive and respectful, which genuinely helped me improve.
  • The online platform was flexible and easy to use, so I could study around my professional commitments.
Cons
  • Some assessment criteria (for example, what counts as an “authentic text”) could be explained more clearly from the start.
  • I would have liked more video demonstrations or sample lessons to see techniques in action.
  • It would be helpful to have a little extra content on specialist areas such as Business English, very young learners, and using AI tools in the classroom.
Patricia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Feedback on TEFL courses

Both the Level 3 and Level 5 courses were professionally constructed. I did both courses online at home in my spare time.

I can honestly say the support was excellent, the courses gradually helped me to understand the purpose and aim of teaching English to Foreign students, so that you could get into their "mindset" and produce tasks at their graded level to enhance their learning experience and enjoyment.

I'm so glad I did the courses, the courses were well put together, the support was excellent and importantly feedback on the assignments was invaluable helping me to understand how I could better my assignments. I have no hesitation in recommending TEFl courses - I just wish I had done these years earlier!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
I would say to future travellers look at al the opportunities for teaching abroad, choose your country wisely. Take advice. Investigate teaching opportunities and check the political stability of the country of your destination. Above all, stick with this teaching program it really does prepare you for teaching to foreign students.
Pros
  • You will learn so much on the TEFL course, fabulous feedback and guidance and the newsletters are excellent for informing you about job opportunities.
  • Job opportunities
  • The course prepares you for work overseas and the course makes you believe that teaching abroad is not just a dream it can become a reality.
Cons
  • There were no cons.
Andrii
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Great Start in ESL: Looking Forward to Practical Application

I've long dreamed of becoming an English teacher (even though English is not my native language). When I started the course, I had neither a degree nor experience in teaching. Therefore, I had certain fears and anxieties. Almost all of them disappeared by the end of the course. "Almost" because the next step is to move on to practical work.
Here is my opinion of the course. It is suitable for absolute beginners (I've tested it myself). The course is perfectly structured, with logical blocks that fit together beautifully, providing basic knowledge and a clear understanding of potential development paths. There are many short videos with practical application of the knowledge, and there are even several full-length practical lessons with a real class. Throughout the course, you'll find many links to interesting websites related to ESL, which can be used as a source of inspiration or a knowledge base. Overall, by the end of the course, you'll have a solid theoretical foundation for starting your teaching career.
Three assessments are particularly valuable, as they allow you to put this knowledge to use when planning different types of lessons for students of different levels. What's great is that these assessments not only help translate theory into practice but also genuinely engage your creative approach.
I completed the course with great enthusiasm and interest. The content is highly focused, without any fluff.
Of course, the course alone doesn’t provide enough live, hands-on classes to overcome your fear and gain at least some experience. But that's precisely what I understand the Combined Course is for (a separate practical module that I'm currently considering purchasing).
Overall, I definitely recommend this course to beginners—it will teach, inspire, and guide you.

What would you improve about this program?
Include more comprehensive, full-length lesson demonstrations.
Pros
  • Excellent structure
  • Inspiring, focused content without fluff
  • Many useful links
Cons
  • A lack of full-length lesson demonstrations (only two)
Kosuke
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great course that made me feel confident and enthusitic

The TEFL Level 5 course provided by the TEFL Academy provided me with insightful knowledge based on both traditional and latest research.
Actually, I was at a loss about my teaching style when I enrolled in the course because I was exposed to criticism about my teaching which is not legitimate enough, and I was about lose confidence as an English teacher, so I decided to take part in this course and tried as much as I could to explore the world of Foreign Language Teaching.
Not only did the course provided fruitful resources that the EFL teachers can make use of, they also supported me think critically and make effective teaching plans through assignment and feedback, and all of them has made me confident and enthusiastic about teaching English again.
I am pretty sure, if you want to become a great EFL teacher, this course should help you a lot.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I once failed the final assignment and had to try that again.
Thanks to the concrete feedback, I could easily understand what I should do to pass.
I am sure the task also enabled me to reconsider the way I actually teach.
Pros
  • Plenty of materials provided
  • Chances to think independently about how to teach and create lesson plans
  • Comprehensive and continuous support
Cons
  • Grammar lesson that is too easy for linguistics major...
Mannelita
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The journey continues

The course was highly informative, easy to understand but yet challenging (in a good way) at the same time. I completed the level 5 Tefl course and can’t wait to take the next steps on this journey. I highly recommend The TEFL Academy to anyone who would like to start a career in teaching online or abroad. I feel that enough time was given as well to finish assignments in time and was quite interesting to learn what teachers actually have to do for one lesson. I’ve learned a lot and am very excited to do a add-on course which they also have available.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I went ocean swimming for the first time with my husband in Seychelle a few years back. I have a phobia for vast amounts of water (I stick to swimming pools) 😄. On our way swimming back to shore, he left me behind. Closer to shore where the waves usually break, I couldn’t advance forward, basically swam in one spot, feeling the current pushing me back and started panicking. I floated on my back for a moment while praying to God to give me strength because my kids are waiting for me on shore. I also prayed for a helping hand (literally) to just push me closer to the shore. I made it out but promised myself to never attempt that again.
Pros
  • Enough extra reading material
  • Help always available
  • A lot of resources for some extra help
Kaila
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Excellent!!

The TEFL Level 5 course was well-structured and provided clear guidance throughout all units. The instructions for each assignment were concise and easy to understand. The tutors and administrators provided excellent support, always responsive to any inquiries or requests for assistance. This was an excellent decision, and I am grateful for the opportunity to complete the course. It has equipped me with the skills and knowledge necessary to teach English abroad and has enhanced my resume. I extend my sincere appreciation to the Telf Academy for their exceptional guidance and support.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do it and don't hesitate to take TEFL level 5. It equips you to teach abroad and other cultures.
Pros
  • Teaches you how to build your own curriculum.
  • Teachers the pros and cons of AI. Was not expecting this being part of the course.
  • Prepares you to build your CV/Resume.
Cons
  • Time to finishes within the time range.
  • Assignments quite difficult, but achievable. I do not see it as con, but rather motivation.
Bianca
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Well structured

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience studying through The TEFL Academy and found the course both engaging and rewarding. From the beginning, the structure of the programme was clear and well organised, making it easy to navigate through each unit at a comfortable pace. The flexibility of the online learning platform was one of the biggest advantages for me, as it allowed me to study around my daily responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed.

The content of the course was informative, practical, and well suited for someone entering the field of English language teaching. Each module built logically on the previous one and covered essential areas such as grammar, lesson planning, classroom management, teaching skills, and working with different age groups. Even when topics felt challenging, they were explained in a clear and accessible way, which helped build both my confidence and my understanding. I especially appreciated how the course combined theory with practical examples that could be applied directly in a real classroom setting.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Contact real schools or recruiters in your target country.
Ask directly: “Will you accept a TEFL Academy Level 5 certificate for visa and employment?”
Countries with strict visa rules (e.g., China, UAE, Japan, South Korea) often require specific accredited qualifications.
Pros
  • Flexible
  • Well structured
  • Support services
Cons
  • Recognition
  • Limited tutor interaction
  • Risk of over promised outcomes