There are many different types of EFL teaching qualification, but before you part with any cash, it’s worth checking whether it will be valid where you want to teach, and whether the course represents good value for money.

Recommended Courses

In order to work for Stafford House or any other British Council accredited school, you will need to successfully complete a course which meets British Council requirements. Click here to check what these requirements are.

There are several courses you can take that meet these standards, but Stafford House usually recommends the RSA Cambridge CELTA (also the CELTYL for younger learners) or the Trinity College Certificate in TESOL because:

They are recognised by schools all over the world, including British Council accredited schools in the UK.

These courses offer a good initial training package, with a mixture of theory and practical teaching, including observed teaching practice, followed by feedback from the tutor.

The courses are moderated by a higher body, so you know that the course standards will be high, and the course structure/content will be similar wherever you go.

These courses are available all over the world, so you might be able to take one close to home.

There are both intensive courses (4-5 weeks full time study) and extensive courses (part time study over several months) available.

There are other courses from other validating bodies (e.g. MEI-RELSA in Ireland and the School for International Training in America) that may also meet the British Council criteria.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Some validating bodies offer a range of courses and not all of them meet British Council criteria.

It is up to you to check whether any certificate you receive will allow you to get the job that you want.

Courses We Don't Recommend (or accept)

Online Courses

Distance Learning Courses

Weekend "Taster" Courses

Of the above courses, most online courses and most distance learning courses do not meet British Council requirements because they usually contain no observed practice and are not externally validated by a university or examining body. These may be an option for you if you just want to get a 'taster' of TEFL before committing yourself to an accredited course, but this is not a requirement for entry.

Alternative Routes into TEFL
Providing that they meet the criteria for input, observed teaching practice and external validation, the following are also acceptable:

A PGCE in English/MFL with a TEFL subsidiary

A university 'certificate in TEFL' course

These are the usual routes to gaining a certificate that will enable you to teach in most schools in the UK.

There are other types of courses that you can do BUT you may not be able to get a job teaching EFL in a reputable school in the UK unless they contain:

100 hours of course input

At least 6 hours of observed teaching practice

External validation by a reputable body

For more information on further training and development in EFL, click here

Click here for information on Cambridge RSA providers.
Click here for information on Trinity ESOL providers.