Howzit, Saffers? Looking for a way to bring in some extra bucks? Have you thought about teaching English as a foreign language abroad?

Well, think no more.

Becoming TEFL-qualified is a no-brainer. It’s one of the easiest ways to earn money and travel around the world. But we hear you, there are quite a few FAQs running around your head, especially when it comes to electricity and visas - amirite?

Let’s look at some of the common questions regarding teaching English and you’ll see why TEFL is a smart career choice for South Africans.

How can a South African get TEFL-qualified?

It’s really easy these days to get TEFL-certified.

There are so many different TEFL courses online or in the classroom that the problem isn’t finding one, it’s finding a good one!

Not all TEFL courses are created equal. You need to do your research and make sure you’re getting a qualification worth your time and money - and one that will get you a job, obviously.

First of all, a TEFL course needs to be affordable on our rands - which is no easy feat for an international qualification!

Then, we preferably need to be able to do the course wherever we like, so we don’t have to get stuck in traffic on Malibongwe Drive. A TEFL course can easily be done online, plus you don’t need to worry about getting a visa - problem sorted!

Finally, we need our TEFL course to be one which doesn’t require 24/7 electricity. We need flexibility, in other words, so it doesn’t matter if load shedding catches us by surprise. Make sure your TEFL course allows you to do your course in your own time and gives you ample time to complete the course.

On a more sinister note, you might have read a few things about TEFL scams and understandably this can make you nervous.

If you’re not sure what we’re talking about, there are a few TEFL scams which seem to float around the internet:

TEFL scams

These are the most common ones:

• The TEFL course provider is not accredited.

• The TEFL course materials are not up to scratch.

• The TEFL qualification is not internationally recognized.

• The TEFL certificate is not accepted by TEFL employers.

• The TEFL course provider is a fake.

But let’s look at our fave TEFL course provider to see how they measure up to other TEFL course providers.

The TEFL Academy and The TEFL Academy “scams”

The TEFL Academy comes highly recommended from South African students who have taken their course. It is accredited by legitimate accrediting bodies and internationally recognised. It already has over 200 000 TEFL graduates who are now teaching online or in different countries around the world.

But let’s hear what their students have to say:

Jane says:

“The TEFL Academy reviews are extraordinary. It exceeded my expectations. You will be well equipped by the end of the 10 Units. They were informative, interactive and fun. In addition, The TEFL Academy provide excellent communication and assistance throughout. Don’t believe The TEFL Academy scams - you can’t go wrong with The TEFL Academy.”

Bianca from Pretoria says:

“ The TEFL Academy was extremely thorough and assisted me in every way possible. The study materials were informative and understandable. All the materials are up-to-date for modern day teaching. Whenever I needed help The TEFL Academy staff were there to offer me guidance and support. I would recommend this course to any one who wants to teach children.”

Zoe from Cape Town says:

“I decided to do a TEFL course through The TEFL Academy. My assignments were graded very quickly - emails were answered less than 24 hours later. Fantastic experience! I would highly recommend this course to anyone looking to get TEFL-qualified!”

Gene from Durban says:

“I have just completed the online Level 5 TEFL course. I can recommend it to anyone wishing to improve their teaching skills and further their knowledge. I am also looking forward to continuing my studies by taking more courses with The TEFL Academy. This is a decent organisation that deserves trust and respect because they always give their best service to their clients.

It sounds to us like The TEFL Academy has debunked any TEFL Academy scams. What do you think?