Why South African Teachers are in demand

In recent years South African have huge opportunities to become an English teacher virtually. It has become an exciting job for travelers all around the world.

In this blog we will try to cover why you should be confident in finding out why South African teachers are in demand –

Opportunities For South African teachers 

The demand for teachers abroad right now is unfathomable! As English teachers globally moved home during the pandemic and schools now looking to back to normal, there is a huge demand for teachers across the globe. 

As we’ve mentioned, the Asian market is the most popular, so travelling to countries like Thailand and Vietnam are huge hotspots right now for South Africans. You’ll find fantastic communities once you make the move and make lots of new connections. It will truly be an unforgettable experience! 

Check out our internship programs and job opportunities to find the right choice for you. 

You Can Teach In South Africa

In most native English-speaking countries, the demand for TEFL teachers is a lot lower than in others. This is simply because these countries have a smaller percentage of non-English speakers looking to learn English. This is somewhat also true in South Africa, but the great thing is that South Africa is a lot more multicultural than most English-speaking countries. With multiculturism comes more opportunities for TEFL teachers! 

Reasons

1. Your Passport

The South African passport is strong and has a long list of visas you can apply for. South African passports now rank as the 51st most useful in the world on an important index, up from 58 last year. 104 countries are visa-free for South Africans. This is something a lot of hiring TEFL companies will take into consideration. Once they see a South African passport, they will think to themselves “Yay! An easy visa process!”. 

2. Official English Speaking Country

This sounds redundant, but did you know that in the TEFL world, only 7 countries in the world are looked at as native English-speaking countries? Yes, that’s right! Just 7, even though 67 countries recognize English as their official language. This can be a huge hindrance for many aspiring TEFL teachers, but the good news is that South Africa is one of the seven countries. This opens up a lot more options for South African teachers. 

3. Reputation

Globally, South Africans are known to be hard workers. You have an amazing reputation. South Africans have been labelled some of the hardest workers in the world and are three times more likely to work a 60-hour workweek than Americans, although South Africa’s labour law prohibits being asked to work more than 45 hours a week. This is great news as employers will nearly always put your CV at the top of the pile. 

4. Diction and Pronunciation

A huge part of teaching English is being able to speak clearly and neutrally. The South African accent is known to be both of these things. This means that your students will have a higher quality of learning, and ultimately this is looked at favourably by potential employers. Making a demo lesson for your job applications will further promote this fact, so we recommend being proactive and sending one to send out to all potential employers. 

5. Time Zone

If you are thinking about teaching English online in South Africa, you are situated perfectly on the map! This is great news for you to get students, but it’s also great news for online companies as they know you’ll be available during their peak hours. 

FAQs

Where can I teach with TEFL in South Africa?

Students from disadvantaged regions are typically found in rural settings, where they do not have access to the same possibilities as students from urban areas. Volunteer teachers are in high demand in these remote communities to help students. Foreign teachers with specialized knowledge in areas such as mathematics, physics, and technology are in high demand.

Can I teach with a TEFL certificate in South Africa?

Absolutely! Once you have the certificate you are qualified to teach in South Africa. Due to the lower demand for teachers in an English-speaking country, we recommend obtaining the 120-hour Level 5 certificate as this will help you land a job faster, especially if you have yet to get teaching experience. You’ll have more opportunities also with a Bachelor’s Degree. 

How much is the cost of living in South Africa?

In comparison to the Western world like the US, the cost of living is pretty low. As a teacher, you’ll live comfortably, especially in rural areas. Check out Numbeo, a cost-of-living site, to see all the details from rent to coffee. 

Can I teach virtually in South Africa?

Absolutely! Teaching online gives you the flexibility and freedom to work wherever and whenever you want. Lots of South Africans choose this route. You’ll have plenty of choices as well with the time zone. From Southeast Asians in the morning to South Americans in the evenings. Some great online companies to check out as a South African are Preply, Learntalk, Cambly, and Alter.