Work as a Teacher in South Africa
If you have never been to South Africa before you might be shocked by how big it is and there are so many places and highly recommended destinations you might want to study or teach.
There are paid and un-paid teaching placements available throughout the country. You could join community development teaching volunteer projects in South Africa and help educate disadvantaged children at schools, orphanages and community centers in rural locations or in townships.
Our top choice, and most peoples favourite is Cape Town located in the South-West of the country. This is a world class city with lots of language schools, employers, cafes, shops, bars, beaches, nightlife and also Table Mountain looming high above. There is an international mix of people here lots of places to visit. Generally speaking, Cape Town is a safer city to live in than other places in the country.
Top Reasons to Teach in South Africa
- South Africa is an exotic country with a blend of people and cultures
- There is a need for English teachers all year round
- Lots of things to keep you busy and entertained in your spare time
- Experience world famous destinations like Cape Town
Eligibility
If you want to work as a teacher South Africa, you must apply through the South Africa Center for Education (SACE) who will check qualifications and approve your application. Without getting this you will not be able to take up a teaching role in South Africa. Sometimes this process can be slow so it is important to be prepared and get your application started as soon as possible.
The steps you need to take:
- Get your teaching qualifications recognized by the South African authorities
- Then get them validated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).
- Submit documents to the Department of Basic Education (DBE)
Once you have your documents back you will then be able to submit these and then apply for membership of the SACE.
Please note if you are applying to volunteer and teach in a teaching role you will not need to go through this process.
How to Get TEFL Jobs in South Africa
- Public Schools
- International & Language Schools
- Leading Private Lessons
You might want to boost your chances of gaining a job by booking a TEFL course in South Africa.
Popular Places to Teach in South Africa
- Cape Town
- Durban
- Johannesburg
- Soweto
- Pretoria
- Port Elizabeth
- Pietermaritzburg
- Benoni
- Tembisa
- East London
Best Time to Get a Teaching Job in South Africa
There is no best time to apply for English teaching jobs here, schools hire all year round even though the term runs from January to December.
Working Week & What to Expect
The South African school term runs through the whole year from January to December with a little break inbetween. You can expect children to be very friendly and open, they are very eager and keen to learn especially if you create a fun learning environment. Usually you will work 5 days per week with an early start, schools sometimes start at 7:30am and finish and 2:20pm. This can be tiring at first but you will get afternoons and evenings off to relax.
Salary for Teaching in South Africa
When working as a TEFL teacher in South Africa you can expect to be paid around £500 - £1000 ($1000 - $1500) per month but this really depends on the employer and where you work. If you have a top TEFL certification and experience you can expect a much higher salary.
Cost of Living
South Africa is a very cheap country to live in, especially if you don't want to ear/drink out all the time or go on an adventure every week. You should be able to save money although you will find cities like Cape Town and Jo'burg are more expensive than other areas of the country in terms of accommodation etc.
Testimonials
"I'm absolutely loving South Africa. Knysna is much bigger and much more lively than I ever imagined, and the schools are much more friendly and receptive than I dreamed possible. I couldn't have asked for more support or a more beautiful place to live in." Gill Taylor
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