Location

The South African TEFL International training centre is in the unique city of Port Elizabeth. Geographically, the small city is part of the Nelson Mandela Metro and is situated on South Africa’s southern coast, on the shores of Nelson Mandela Bay (formerly Algoa Bay), midway between Cape Town and Durban. Port Elizabeth offers a microcosm of South Africa’s rainbow nation – different colours, creeds and cultures, bound by a common nationality and using a common language to communicate and do business.

Port Elizabeth, the landing place of South Africa’s single biggest migration of English-speaking settlers, boasts people from all walks of life. Walk down Govan Mbeki Avenue and experience real African trading, from traditional herbalists to hairdressers, or wander through Mill Park’s stately homes or Summerstrand’s seaside boardwalk.

Enjoy the mixture of African, European and Asian cultures that is so uniquely South African – and all a stone’s throw from frolicking Indian Ocean dolphins and Southern Right whales! Hop into a minibus taxi and take a tour of the townships, the foundation of resistance to apartheid. You’ll need to spend some time visiting the city’s museums, displaying various aspects of South African history. Walk in Settler’s Park, a huge green lung (not cultivated and all indigenous coastal bush) bisecting Port Elizabeth or nearby Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Or take a quick drive to Kragga Kamma Game Reserve to view a variety of African wildlife up close. Spend a weekend at Addo National Elephant Park, one of South Africa’s top parks, or in Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area, an expanse of real African wilderness. Visit the Karoo, South Africa’s vast semi-desert area and spend time in one of the country’s oldest towns, Graaff-Reinet.

For TEFL course trainees who love the performing arts, nearby Grahamstown hosts the annual National Arts Festival. This is a must-do if you’re here at the right time (June/July annually) – South Africa’s top performers are all gathered in this small City of Saints, and its well worth a visit. We’ll make sure that you can get to this, but you will need to book really early in order to get any accommodation.

Port Elizabeth, like so much of South Africa, is about the great outdoors. South Africans are not indoor people, and will rush off to parks, reserves and farms at a moment’s notice. Given the fact that some of the continent’s best wildlife viewing is within an hour’s drive of our city, and malaria-free, this is hardly surprising. Take the time to go kayaking on the Bay, or hire a jet-ski. Learn to drive an off-road vehicle, or earn your diving certification. Go quad-biking, hiking or just a plain stroll on the beach. With the world-famous Jeffrey’s Bay just a stone’s throw away, this coastline is ideal for learning to surf. Well-known for its fine beaches, expansive bay and good winds, our city is an ideal location for keen sailors.

Because Port Elizabeth is a society of tremendous contrasts, there are opportunities for you to make a meaningful contribution to the continued growth of Africa’s most stable democracy. Visit schools, coach sports teams, teach people about your people and your home. Learn about those sports so characteristic of most former British colonies: rugby, cricket and soccer. Learn how to track wildlife, and collect food from the ocean.

Port Elizabeth is a city with the characteristics of a village. It is large, but small. It is known as the Detroit of Africa, yet is at the forefront of nature conservation in South Africa. It offers easy access to a long list of land and sea based adventure activities, from mountain-biking through national parks to windsurfing.

Climate

The weather is mild throughout the year, with warm, generally dry summers. Being on the southern part of the Indian Ocean, we do get some really awesome winter storms with huge waves pounding into the bay, which are truly a spectacular sight!

Port Elizabeth winters are great. It does rain a bit, but generally we have beautiful, clear, sunny days. If you need it, the nearest snow is usually about 300 to 500 km away – and generally melts within a few days of falling. Spring and autumn are mild, but can be windy with rainy periods. Summers can be hot, but less so than further inland, and windy in the afternoons. Being on the coast, the city is not subjected to the more extreme temperatures experienced in other parts of the country. The average temperature in winter (June/July/August) is usually around 20° Celsius. Summer temperatures average around 25° Celsius, with maximum temperatures of up to 39°. We have rain all year round, with the highest average rainfalls being in the winter months.

About The School

The TEFL International training centre in Port Elizabeth is an applicant member of the English Language Travel Association of South Africa, and is a member of the Port Elizabeth Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism and Eastern Cape Tourism. The TEFL International certificate you receive is your passport to your final destination - your teaching job. The institute is in the seaside areas of Port Elizabeth, ten minutes by taxi to the city centre.

The Port Elizabeth TEFL International centre offers spacious classrooms in well maintained, modern, well equipped spaces that allow for a maximum learning experience. Take a quick cooling dip at the nearby beach in mid-summer, or relax under our trees during your breaks. Our staff of qualified, experienced teachers will be at your side during your training process. Friendly, professional administrative assistants are waiting to support you for a comfortable stay.

Accommodation

All accommodation is in the vicinity of the school, and from there you can easily access public transportation to get to other places. We have the following accommodation available:

Private rooms in a house shared with other students. All rooms are clean, comfortable, and some have air-conditioning.

Shared accommodation at backpacker lodges starts at around US$10 per day; B&B accommodation from US$45 per day, and hotel accommodation from around US$70 per day. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and entertainment sites near all accommodation options.

Please be assured that any special requests or requirements regarding accommodation will be taken into consideration, and TESOL International will make every effort to honour such requests.

Course Dates

• 5 January - 30 January 2009
• 2 February - 27 February 2009
• 2 March - 27 March 2009
• 3 April - 1 May 2009
• 4 May - 29 May 2009
• 1 June - 26 June 2009
• 29 June - 24 July 2009
• 31 July - 28 August 2009
• 4 September - 2 October 2009
• 9 October - 6 November 2009
• 9 November - 4 December 2009

Course Fees

• US$ 2050 (£) (excluding accommodation)
• Accommodation: US$ 300 (£) and up

Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Map: Click here for the map