Introduction to entry level qualifications
Becoming a TEFL teacher can be a fantastic life experience and open up a world of opportunity. It is important though that you make the right choices when selecting an initial teacher training qualification to avoid disappointment later in your career. Many have found to their cost that they cannot find employment in reputable schools overseas and in the UK or qualify for career advancement because of their incorrect choice of qualification.
Quality in TESOL Education (QuiTE) have created a document that provides basic guidence to help you to choose which ELT qualifications are most suitable fo you. Please click here to access their guidence document. QuiTE is supported by a broad cross-section of influential bodies involved in ELT including English UK.
Minimum entry criteria
New candidates for entry level Certificate programmes should be a minimum of 18 years of age although many course providers stipulate ages 20 or 21 as an entry requirement. Candidates should be educated to a level which is the equivalent to that required for entry into Higher Education in their own country. Acceptance on courses is usually subject to satisfactory interview.
The Cambridge ESOL Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and the Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL) are the most widely accepted entry-level qualifications for the ELT teaching profession. Courses leading to these qualifications are usually of four weeks full-time duration.
Visit the websites of Cambridge ESOL and Trinity College London to see the full lists of centres running these respective certificate courses.
Questions to ask
English UK recommends that when choosing an initial ELT teaching qualification teachers check that the answer to each of the following questions is "yes". Reputable employers in the UK will not normally accept qualifications that do not adhere to these criteria.
1. Is the course externally validated by a recognised exam board that is independent of the course provided?
or
Is the course run by a university?
or
Is the course run by a college/institute of higher/further education?
2. Are there at least 100 hours of input?
3. Does the course have at least 6 hours supervised and assessed teaching practice?
For careers in the UK
Over 500 quality English language centres in the UK are accredited by the Accreditation UK Scheme and centres that are accredited can be recognised by their use of the British Council marque. The Scheme normally expects teachers to be graduates with at least an initial recognised TEFL qualification. Centres are regularly checked by a team of experienced British Council inspectors. This external verification system allows teachers to feel more secure about the standard of employment conditions, wages, and career development opportunities offered by prospective employers.
You may wish to look at the Accreditation UK Handbook which explains the qualifications staff must have to enable a centre to gain accredited status.
Further information on English language teaching as a career can be obtained from the learning area of the British Council's website.
Higher level qualifications
Once you have gained a minimum of two years teaching experience, teachers are often subsequently advised to consider taking a Diploma level qualification or a Master's Degree. The leading diplomas are offered by Cambridge ESOL, Diploma in ELT (DELTA) and Trinity College Licentiate Diploma in TESOL (LTCL Diploma). A relevant Master's Degree or Diploma are normally required if seeking a position in academic management.
English UK also manages two specialised qualifications for teachers:
- The Certificate in International Business English Training (Cert IBET) in partnership with Trinity College London
- The English UK Diploma in English Language Teaching Management (DELTM)
For further information on either of these qualifications please refer to the qualifications section of the English UK website.
