Teaching English is an exciting and rewarding career that attracts people for all sorts of reasons.

It is an opportunity to see the world, living and working in places that others only dream of visiting. 

You can learn a new language, immerse yourself in the customs and cultures of another country, and gain insight into a different society.  You might teach abroad for a few years and move on, or develop your career in EFL to become a teacher trainer, course writer, academic manager or even open your own language school.

Wherever your TEFL path takes you, the UCT Certificate in TEFL will equip you to to succeed in the language classroom anywhere in the world.

  • Is doing a TEFL course the right choice for me?

    If you are someone who is thinking about doing a TEFL course, you probably fall into one or two of the following three  camps:

    1. You are looking for a new career where working, helping and teaching others is the main focus.
    2. You would love to travel and experience different countries and cultures, and you’d like to make some money while doing it
    3. You want a flexible career that allows you to direct where you want to go and how much work you want to do.

    If any of these describe you, then yes, completing a TEFL certification will allow you to pursue these goals. 

  • Where can I go to teach?

    The most popular destinations for South Africans are South Korea and China, and we work with agencies offer job placement services in these countries, including accommodation, travel and visa support.  The most well paid jobs are generally in the Middle East and Japan, while places like Thailand, Vietnam, Brazil and Columbia offer an unforgettable travel experience.  In fact, most countries have some kind of TEFL industry – and if you’d prefer to be closer to home, Cape Town is the hub of TEFL teaching in South Africa with over 20 language schools and institutions.

  • How much can I earn?

    You probably won’t make your fortune as a TEFL teacher, but but you can make a make a decent living if you play your cards right.  How much you earn depends on which country you decide to work in, what kind of teaching you do, and how well qualified you are.  Generally the highest salaries are found in the Middle East and Japan, where you’ll likely start on about US$2000 per month and can earn up to US$4000 at the top end.  Next on the list is Thailand, South Korea, China and Western Europe where monthly salaries range from US$1500 to US$3000.  Latin America is at the lower end of the scale with monthly pay of US$800 to US$2000 – but bear in mind that the cost of living in these countries it typically quite low.  In some countries you may be offered a salary package that included flights and accommodation.  Salaries for TEFL teachers in South Africa are between R15,000 and R22,000 per month.

    Like any job, what kind of institution or company you work for also affects your pay.  Universities usually offer higher rates and more job security.  ‘In-company’ business teaching will get you a better hourly rate, but you might spend time travelling between different companies.  You’ll also likely be offered a better salary if you have a university degree or similar qualification.

  • How can I develop my career in TEFL?

    TEFL is seen as one of the fastest growing educational fields in the world, so are a host of job opportunities available globally.  These could involve teaching to children, young adults or business professionals, and be based in a language school, university or

    For those that pursue a long term career, further possibilities become available as you gain more experience and delve deeper into the field. These could be positions in academic management, teacher training, international examiners, course development, and writing textbooks.