Which TEFL courses are accredited? How do I know?

If you’re thinking of taking the leap into the world of TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language), one of the first things you need to consider is which TEFL courses are accredited. 

There are TEFL providers all over the world, from Spain to South Korea, Costa Rica and beyond. Some are highly-professional organisations that will offer fully accredited TEFL courses. Others are shady merchants who will take your money and leave you with a worthless certificate. 

How do you know the difference? It all comes down to accreditation.

Why does accreditation matter for TEFL?

When it comes to choosing a TEFL course, the single most important aspect is to be sure that it’s fully accredited.

TEFL accreditation is the standard quality of hallmark. When a TEFL course provider has been accredited by a respected organisation, you can be sure that the courses they provide have been designed to meet the standards of an independent educational body.

Who accredits TEFL courses?

There are several respected accreditors in the world of TEFL:

TQUK

A leading UK assessment organisation, TQUK was founded in 2013 and is approved by Ofqual, the UK government’s official regulator of qualifications, exams and tests. 

ACCET

Founded in 1974, ACCET (Accrediting Council for Continuing Education & Training) is regarded by the U.S. Department of Education as one of the most respected authorities on the quality of TEFL education.

IATQuO 

Established in 2004, IATQuO (International Accreditation of TESOL Qualifying Organisations) accredits just a handful of TEFL courses but is widely respected in the industry.

Universities and exam boards

As well as the organisations above, many TEFL course providers are also accredited by leading UK universities and exam boards. For example, TEFL Iberia’s popular CertTESOL programme is accredited by Trinity College London.

The best TEFL qualifications

The most recognised TEFL qualifications are the Trinity College London TESOL certificate course, otherwise known as CertTESOL, and the Cambridge CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). The majority of TEFL employers will specifically request one of these qualifications.

Here’s a breakdown of each:

CertTESOL

Regarded as the best TEFL qualification for people with little or no experience of teaching English, the Trinity Certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (CertTESOL) gives you all the essential skills, knowledge and confidence you need to begin life as a TEFL teacher, including theory, classroom practice and learner/teacher perspectives. 

Ofqual rates the CertTESOL as a Level 5 qualification, equivalent to the second year of an undergraduate degree. Courses are made up of a minimum of 130 hours over at least four weeks.

Cambridge CELTA

The CELTA is a qualification Established by Cambridge English and approved by the British Council, the CELTA (certificate in English language teaching to adults) is offered by over 300 schools across more than 60 countries around the world. 

Spanning 120 hours of study, the course focuses on developing practical teaching techniques, giving you everything you need to become a TEFL career in as little as four weeks.

What to look for in an accredited TEFL course provider

Aside from accreditation, when choosing the right TEFL course, you should consider the following questions: 

How professional is their website?

A sleek, professional website with lots of information about the courses, background to the organisation and clear information on course dates and fees is a hallmark of a quality TEFL provider.

Do the tutors have experience?

A quality TEFL school will attract and retain talented staff with teaching experience and the relevant qualifications. If their website doesn’t feature tutor profiles, they are most likely not a legit TEFL provider. 

Are they ‘accredited’ by their own accrediting body?

This is a huge red flag. Many shady TEFL schools set up their own bodies to self-regulate their courses. This is recognised by the TEFL industry as malpractice.

Are there testimonials and reviews?

Check the website for testimonials from graduates, both written and video-based. Also, check sites like TEFL Course Review and take a look at the TEFL course provider’s reviews on Google.

Do they offer pre- and post-course extras?

Another indicator of a high quality TEFL provider is one that offers a variety of support services such as student visa programmes and accommodation services before you start your course, and job support once you’ve graduated.  

The Trinity CertTESOL course at TEFL Iberia

Here at TEFL Iberia, we’re proud to provide one of the most globally respected TEFL qualifications in one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Our Trinity CertTESOL course is based in Barcelona and is designed to give those with little to no teaching experience everything they need to become a TEFL teacher anywhere in the world.

This internationally recognised qualification comes with an array of extras to ensure you get the best learning experience possible. These include:

• Small class sizes, with a maximum of 12 students, meaning increased participation and individual attention, as well as better engagement.
• Modern facilities including Apple iMac computers, interactive whiteboards and a fully-equipped library with a range of teaching resources.
• A beautiful campus in the centre of one of the world’s best cities – Barcelona!
• Extensive pre-course support that includes our visa programme, accommodation service and expert admin assistance, ensuring you get your ID card and set up a bank account with minimal stress.
• Full post-course support including career and employment assistance helping you land that all-important first teaching job in Barcelona!

Apply to one of our accredited courses today and take your first steps to teaching English in Spain! Any doubts? Get in touch with our friendly team for more information.