Why You Should Get TEFL Certified in South Africa

There are plenty of popular TEFL locations; countries such as China, South Korea, and the Czech Republic spring to mind, for example. But if you’re someone who fancies themselves a trailblazer, you might be looking for something a bit more off the beaten path…   

TEFL in South Africa will provide you with a beautiful experience inside and outside of the classroom!

A less popular (but equally amazing) destination for a TEFL course is South Africa! Because of its tangled history and legacy of apartheid, South Africa doesn’t tend to be a top TEFL destination at the moment. However, South Africa has come a long way and is now one of the most diverse and rapidly changing countries in the world.

The market for TEFL in South Africa is also growing like crazy right now! And, outside of teaching, you’ll have your hands full with adventures and cultural experiences galore! Getting TEFL certified in South Africa should be your next move. Read on to find out all the reasons why!

Why take your TEFL course in South Africa?

1. Location, location, location. 

South Africa has some of the most diverse locations! From big cities to dramatic landscapes, it’s got it all. Big cities such as Cape Town, Johannesburg, and Durban offer plenty of city living experiences. 

As far as dramatic landscapes go, South Africa has quite the range. Near the Cape, the gorgeous coastlines are a stark contrast to the towering mountains. Further north, there are mountains filled with so many amazing peaks and formations that they are literally called the Dragon Mountains.

South Africa is also home to the world’s sixth-tallest waterfall, Augrabies Falls. From green rolling hills to breathtaking viewpoints overlooking canyons, South Africa will have you drooling over the amazing landscape. 

Your TEFL course in South Africa will be accompanied by many beautiful hikes.

2. You’d be teaching a super diverse group of students.

South Africa is often referred to as the Rainbow Nation because it’s one of the most diverse countries in the world. With a population made up of people of African, caucasion, Indian, and Asian descent, this country is multicultural, to say the least.

This is great news for your teaching career in South Africa. Your classroom will be full of students who represent the diversity of their country. Each student will bring something unique from their heritage, creating a culturally rich classroom environment.

3. It’s growing and advancing — fast! 

South Africa has been experiencing a growth spurt, particularly with technology. As a whole, the country is quickly shifting towards high-tech and international commerce, growing their economy and also attracting more tourists.

The technology boom and growing economy are awesome upsides to courses for TEFL in South Africa, but the increase in tourism is what really makes this a great teaching destination. That’s because speaking English is essential for the tourism industry in South Africa.

Basically, because of the increase in tourism, more people want to learn to speak English in order to find work in the industry, thereby creating a high demand for English teachers!

Related: 5 Best Programs to Get Your TEFL in South Africa

4. You’ll find some awesome volunteer opportunities.

While South Africa is growing and advancing, there are still serious problems with poverty. Up to a quarter of the population lives in what is considered poverty conditions. Because of that, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities, especially for English teachers.

When you volunteer to help somebody learn English, you are giving them the tools for finding better-paying jobs, possibly in the tourism industry. You’ll be able to feel good about contributing to the community while gaining a ton of valuable experience.

5. It’s easy and affordable. 

A TEFL certificate in South Africa will be well worth the cost!

Participating in a South Africa TEFL program is pretty straightforward. There’s a wide selection of schools and programs so that you can choose which one best suits you. There are plenty of job opportunities for after you earn your TEFL certificate in South Africa too.

During a course for TEFL in South Africa or while teaching English, you’ll get to interact with a network of people who can help your career grow even further. From business people to educators to IT development people, you’ll grow your network during a TEFL program in South Africa.

In addition to being fairly easy, getting your TEFL certificate in South Africa is relatively affordable. Cost is relative, but South Africa is on the more affordable end of developed countries. TEFL programs are reasonably priced here, making it easier for you to become certified and begin teaching quickly.

The cost of monthly living is also relatively affordable in South Africa. You can easily live on around $900 a month. When compared to other popular TEFL countries such as Spain and Japan, South Africa is way affordable and definitely the better financial option.

6. There are endless recreational activities.

Outdoor adventures are a dime a dozen in South Africa. Hiking, biking, and beach time are just a few of the easily accessible activities for your days off. If you want to be in the water, there’s also rafting, surfing, canoeing, and diving.

More intense activities include horseback riding, ziplining, and even paragliding down Cape Town’s mountain range. South Africa is home to the world’s third-highest bungee jump, located deep in the Tsitsikamma forest. There’s plenty of places to backpack and mountain climb as well. Take your pick!

Related: 5 Best Cities for TEFL Courses in South Africa

If outdoor activities aren’t your thing, never fear! Music and theater are everywhere. The multi-nationality culture means you’ll get a taste of a range of music styles. You might hear kwaito (African house music) or possibly jazz.

There’s also hip hop, Afrikaans rock, African gospel, classic rock, pop, traditional drums, Afrikaans sakkie sakkie, and many more. Your musical literacy will grow and grow when you complete a TEFL program in South Africa.

7. South Africa is a language haven!

The breath-taking scenery complements the beautiful languages that exist in South Africa.

South Africa has eleven official languages. The most widely spoken are Zulu (spoken by 22.7% of the population), Xhosa (16%), and Afrikaans (13.5%). The sheer diversity of languages makes South Africa a great place for a language teacher.

The people of South Africa love languages, and English is only spoken by around 9% of the population. This language-positive environment means tons of people are eager to learn English.

It also means that you’ll probably pick up a fair share of phrases in multiple foreign languages while you live in South Africa. Hey, you might even come away knowing how to ask where the bathroom is in 11 different languages!

8. It’s home to many a bucket-list item. 

Have you ever dreamed about seeing an elephant? How about a lion or a leopard? A rhino or buffalo? In South Africa, you can see those incredible animals and many more!

One place to see elephants in the wild is at Kruger National Park — South Africa’s famous park, with more than 13,000 elephants. Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, deep in the Kalahari Desert, is prime viewing for leopards and lions, including the rare black-maned lion.

These and many other amazing parks in South Africa will help you to experience wildlife and cross off some major bucket list items! 

Next Step: Get Matched with 5 South Africa TEFL Programs—for FREE!

Why NOT get your TEFL certificate in South Africa?

South Africa has so much to see and so much to learn which makes it the perfect destination to complete a TEFL course.

It’s worth noting that, though South Africa has come a long way and there are tons of reasons to go there, visitors still need to be mindful of history. There are still divisions between people when it comes to class and race. Stay culturally sensitive and mindful of how you speak and react. 

Teaching in South Africa will give you the opportunity to make a difference for the better in South African communities. As a teacher, your sphere of influence is wide. You can teach your students more than just English! Acceptance, love, and non-discriminatory attitudes are just a few of the things you can pass on to your students.

And, you’ll have your hands full outside of teaching as well! Amazing recreational activities, outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, sight-seeing, and checking out gorgeous landscapes await. You’ll relax on the beaches and zipline down the mountains. You’ll see a rhino and dance to Afrikkaan rock music. You’ll have a great time completing a TEFL program in South Africa!

Explore ALL South Africa TEFL Courses on GoAbroad.com