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South Africa

South Africa country rating by our language course clients:

Overall4.6

Most Popular Cities for English Courses in South Africa

Cities ranked by popularity based on booking numbers among our clients

#1 Cape Town
14 English schools

4.6

(128 City ratings)

Top Destinations: Cape Town (city thumbnail)

#2 Johannesburg
2 English schools

Top Destinations: Johannesburg (city thumbnail)

List of all cities in South Africa

Best English schools in South Africa by category - age group, leisure/fun

TOP Rated by
Students 18-30 years

#1 EC English

Students 18-30 years

4.2 (5)

TOP Rated by
Students 31-49 years

#1 UCT English Language Centre

Students 31-49 years

4.8 (5)

TOP Rated by
Students 50+ years

#1 Study & Live in your Teacher's Home

Students 50+ years

5.0 (2)

TOP Rated by
Students all ages

#1 Study & Live in your Teacher's Home

Students all ages

5.0 (4)

TOP Rated by
Quality of teaching

#1 LAL

Quality of teaching

5.0 (2)

TOP Rated by
leisure/fun

#1 LAL

leisure/fun

5.0 (2)

TOP Rated by
Value for money

#1 Study & Live in your Teacher's Home

Value for money

5.0 (4)

TOP Rated by
Location of school

#1 EC English

Location of school

5.0 (9)

16 language schools in South Africa from ZAR 1,580 for a 1 week English course

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Best rated (overall)

English course types in South Africa

General English courses
Generic English courses cover the four main elements of a language: writing, reading, speaking and listening. They are available for all levels.
- Learn a Language & Live with Teacher (134) - Offered by InTuition Languages
- Standard English Courses for Adults - South Africa (51)
- English & Culture - South Africa (45)
- Adults From 30+ years (11) - Only offered by EC English 30+
- Senior Adult Learners 50+ Years Courses - South Africa (11)
- Combi: Group + Private Courses - South Africa (7)
- Super Intensive English (+35h) - South Africa (4)
- Travelling Classroom (3) - Only offered by LAL
- Language Year (6-12 months) (2) - Only offered by EC English
- Mini Group (Max 6 Students) (1) - Only offered by LAL
- Afternoon (1) - Only offered by LAL
English exam preparation courses
Exam preparation courses cover a number of different English exams, which are designed for completion of a specific English level or for particular admission purposes.
- IELTS Preparation Courses - South Africa (15)
- Cambridge Advanced Preparation Courses - South Africa (6)
- Cambridge First Preparation Courses - South Africa (5)
- TOEFL Preparation Courses - South Africa (4)
- CELTA Preparation Courses - South Africa (3)
- Cambridge Proficiency Preparation Courses - South Africa (2)
- Other Exams (1) - Only offered by InTuition Languages
- Cambridge Preliminary Certificate (1) - Only offered by Influent
- TOEIC (1) - Only offered by InTuition Languages
Private English courses
Private English classes are designed as a pack of lessons available in various formations. Students can have their one-to-one lessons in the school or online.
- Private (One-to-One) Courses - South Africa (35)
Junior English courses
English lessons for children and teenagers can be booked in school holidays and often come as a package, which includes accommodation, activities and excursions.
- Children & Teenager English Camps - South Africa (26)
- Family (1) - Only offered by Bayswater
Business English courses
Learn how to shape your use of the English language in the business world for a competitive edge in tasks such as negotiations, conference calls and presentations.
- Business English Private Courses - South Africa (18)
- Legal English - South Africa (2)
- English for Doctors & Nurses (1) - Only offered by InTuition Languages
- Business Group (1) - Only offered by UCT English Language Centre
- English for Aviation (1) - Only offered by InTuition Languages
- Banking & Finance (1) - Only offered by InTuition Languages
English plus activity courses
English plus activity courses are available in different combinations, so students can select the option most suitable to their timetable to enjoy their chosen hobby.
- English & Sports - South Africa (10)
- English & Golf (5) - Offered by Influent
- English & Oenology (5) - Offered by Influent
- English & Horse Riding (1) - Only offered by Influent
- English & Tennis (1) - Only offered by Influent
Work & Study English programmes
Offered as a combination of English classes followed by the programme, the Work and Study option provides students with work placements or volunteering opportunities in certain fields.
Specialty courses English
Teacher training programmes and school trips are just some of the English options students can take in the Specialty category.
- Teacher Training - South Africa (9)

Map with location of English schools in South Africa

Information about South Africa

South Africa offers the world's greatest natural beauty. It has great wildlife-watching and also beautiful cosmopolitan cities like Johannesburg. But what makes this country appealing to everyone are its natural panoramas and its culture. Jump from the semi-desert of the Karoo to the subtropical coast of Kazulu-Natal, ending at the waterfront of chic Cape town. South Africa is the place to combine land and sea!

Key facts about South Africa

Population: 57,780,000

Capital: Pretoria

Telephone country code: +27

Largest cities in South Africa:

1. Cape Town: 3,500,000
2. Durban: 3,100,000
3. Johannesburg: 2,000,000
4. Soweto: 1,700,000
5. Pretoria: 1,600,000

Visa: Nationals from USA do not require a visa to study short-term English courses up to 90 days. Check visa requirements for nationals from other countries.

Visa requirements data last updated on 05 May 2025 (Source)

For the most up-to-date visa information, please consult with the embassy or consulate of South Africa in your country. List of embassies and consulates of South Africa on the official website - International Relations and Cooperation South Africa.

Largest international airport in South Africa:

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB): 21 km. from Johannesburg city center

Q&A - Questions about English courses and schools in South Africa

As a German citizen, when do I need a visa for South Africa?

“German nationals do not require a visa to attend courses lasting up to 90 days.”

Martin Zakostelecky, LanguageCourse.Net - Nov 21, 2023

I am searching for a course from July to August. (2 months) during the weekends.

“Currently, none of the language schools we partner with offer weekend group courses.
If you would like, we can see if we can arrange private lessons.
If you would like private lessons, can you let us know how many lessons you would like to take per day? ”

Mindlere Shin, LanguageCourse.Net - Jun 05, 2023

I would like to join a Tourism course in South Africa

“You could consider joining a private course. Your teacher will first carry out a detailed needs analysis to identify the context in which you need to use English, and the areas of the language where you need support and training. Through this process you and your teacher will agree the learning outcomes you will work towards together on your course.
”

Sawsan Zein, LanguageCourse.Net - Apr 17, 2023

How can I contact you for information?

“You can contact us by email, telephone or Skype. Alternatively, you can fill in the contact form on the top left hand side of our website, in the "Contact us" section.”

Rubén De Haro, LanguageCourse.Net - Mar 15, 2023

If the school rejects my booking when I make the initial prepayment, will I get my money back?

“The school cannot reject a valid reservation sent by us. However, all reservations sent by us are subject to final confirmation by the chosen school. If, for any reason, the course or accommodation selected is not available on the dates indicated by you, we will propose alternatives (change of dates, change of school...), and if you do not like any of these alternatives, we will refund the full amount of the prepayment.”

Rubén De Haro, LanguageCourse.Net - Dec 01, 2022

I am trying to pay the initial prepayment with my card, but I am getting an error and it won't let me go forward. What is the reason for this?

“When this happens, in most cases, it is due to the security protocol that banks apply when they detect that you are trying to pay a company/entity that is not in your country. We remind you that LanguageCourse.Net is based in Barcelona, Spain. I advise you to contact your bank to inform them of this detail so that you can make the payment without any problems.”

Rubén De Haro, LanguageCourse.Net - Dec 01, 2022

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions About English Courses in South Africa

What is the best crash course in South Africa?

“The Intensive Course (30 lessons per week) is the best formula for accelerated learning, and combined with private lessons, you will improve your English for sure. ”

Madly Simba, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - May 19, 2023

I want to learn English in South Africa and take the IELTS test.

“You need to be at level B1 or B2 to register for IELTS preparation courses.
Click on the name of the school and you will be able to access the school page to view the specific course information.
If the school is an official IELTS testing centre (see the school profile), you can register and take the IELTS test at the school, otherwise you need to register and choose where to take the test yourself.”

Susan Wang, Language Travel Consultant from LanguageCourse.Net - Mar 27, 2023

Questions about English schools in South Africa?

Get free advice from our language travel experts to help you find the best school in South Africa.

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Language Schools in South Africa By City

Stars indicate average city rating by our clients

Cape Town (14 schools) 4.6
Johannesburg (2 schools)

Schools on map

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