TEFL has increased chances for young people to travel abroad

Over the past years, teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) has become popular among students in South Africa. That is because many students and young people have been dreaming of traveling to other countries, mainly for new experiences and exposure to different cultures. With a TEFL certificate their dreams will become a reality.  

A TEFL certificate allows for high school or university graduates to teach English in foreign countries. 

Vershunay Marillac (24), a graduate from Stellenbosch University is currently living her dream of working in South Korea as an English teacher. “I have been living in South Korea since the beginning of 2022 and it has been a great experience so far.” Marillac explained that the South Korean culture is very different from the South African culture(s) and that there have been some challenges, especially with language barriers.

Marillac currently works at two schools in Gyeongju, a city north of Busan, and often takes a train over the weekend to explore the surrounding towns and cities. “It is so much fun taking a bus overnight to Busan with the friends that I have made here in South Korea and exploring the city together,” said Marillac.   

The most popular countries to work in as an English teacher are China, South Korea, Thailand, and Japan. However, there are other options for teaching English using a TEFL qualification, such as giving online classes to children or adults online.

According to the International TEFL Academy (ITA) blog the requirements for TEFL jobs are different depending on each company, but lately the requirements have become more streamlined, requiring applicants to have a minimum 150-hour TEFL qualification and a degree from a tertiary institute.

The top 5 countries where you can each with a TEFL qualification, according to Go Overseas. MAP: Ziyaad Cassim

One of the most popular organisations to get a TEFL qualification from is i-to-i TEFL, which offers multiple courses, as well as advertises different internships and jobs for those who have completed a TEFL already on their job board.

Ella Firbank (23), an assistant lecturer and graduate of North-West University (NWU), said, “the TEFL course that I did was easy, even though I didn’t receive any tutoring.”

Firbank added that doing the course increased opportunities for her to travel and work at the same time. 

During the pandemic as borders were closed the number of TEFL teachers going abroad was very limited as countries such as South Korea and Japan only opened their borders this year, with minimal quarantine times.

Muneebah Mongs (24), a third-year communication student at NWU Vaal campus, said, “with everything becoming remote-based, doing a TEFL course is a great idea, as I know some people who teach online and make enough money to support their families”.