How to Choose Your Perfect TEFL Course
So, you’ve made the decision to start your TEFL journey and you’re ready to get the ball rolling. It can be overwhelming when you first look into TEFL course providers, the options are endless! TEFL, TESOL, CELTA - even the acronyms can be overwhelming. Finding the right course provider can really make or break your TEFL journey, so we’ve put this guide together to make your decision making process a little easier.
TEFL vs CELTA
CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (now known as Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
TEFL refers to any certification programme that trains an English speaker to teach the English language to others. CELTA is a very intensive ESL teaching certificate, created by Cambridge University. It’s considered one of the most prestigious qualifications for teaching English abroad. CELTA programmes are typically quite a lot more expensive than TEFL programmes, and are completed on a full-time basis. TEFL courses, especially those run online, are often self-paced with a longer access time, meaning you can complete them when it’s convenient for you. Most people decide to complete a TEFL qualification as their first step. With a TEFL certificate, you can teach English abroad or privately in the UK. If you decide that you’d like this to become your career, you might choose to then complete a CELTA. However, it’s worth noting that CELTA programmes are aimed at teaching adults and probably not the best choice if you’re looking to work with children or teenagers. We have a great blog here that goes into a little more depth about TEFL vs CELTA.
Look for accreditation
It’s really important to look for an accredited course provider. There are a lot of accrediting bodies for TEFL courses - it isn’t a one fits all approach. TEFL courses can be written and delivered by anyone, which means you need to do your research before you enrol. Looking for a course that has been accredited by an external accreditor means you can have faith that the course and all its content is up to scratch, and covers all the areas of TEFL you’ll need to know about well, and in enough depth. It’s worth noting that not all accreditors are created equal, so it’s crucial you look out for accreditors that are widely recognised, who operate to high standard and strict guidelines. UK-TEFL is a Platinum Approved TQUK (Training Qualifications UK) Centre, which means all our courses are endorsed by TQUK. TQUK is a national awarding body and is regulated by Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation).
Hours and length of course
As there’s no overarching TEFL accreditation, TEFL courses can vary in their length and study time. A Level 2 certification, which equates to 120 hours of TEFL training, is the industry standard. Most employers looking for EFL teachers will look for at least 120 hours of TEFL training. Anything below this, whilst still valid, will likely put you at a disadvantage when compared to other applicants. We do find that more and more employers are looking for Level 3 and Level 5 applicants. Longer courses often include Specialist Modules, which help EFL teachers differentiate and specialise in certain areas of TEFL. Our 150 Hour Interactive Online TEFL Course includes Business English, Teaching with Limited Resources, and Teaching Young Learners. Our 180 Hour Interactive Online TEFL Course includes Teaching Online, Teaching with a Focus on Engagement and Motivation, and an Introduction to English for Academic Purposes. We’d really recommend choosing either an 150 Hour or 180 Hour course if you don’t have a degree!
Learning structure
TEFL courses are either classroom-based, online based, or a combination of the two. All have their advantages and drawbacks, it just depends on your preferred way of learning. If you prefer in-person learning and working with highly trained teachers, you might prefer classroom-based courses. Our Classroom TEFL Courses run over 2 days, and you’ll work closely with our experienced TEFL teachers to run through some of the more practical elements of EFL teaching. If you favour more individualised learning, and prefer a self-paced learning process, you might be better suited to an online course. All our online courses are entirely self-paced, which means you can fit learning around other commitments. You have access to the course for a longer period of time (between 60 - 180 days depending on the course) so you get the chance to immerse yourself in each element of your learning journey.
Online courses are extremely popular for a reason. They’re convenient, they’re often cheaper, and they’re flexible. However, no two online TEFL courses are the same. Some courses can be very static, with their content being quite outdated. It’s best to look for courses that offer lots of interactive learning opportunities. These courses are more likely to keep you engaged throughout, which has a great impact on what you get out of the course. All of our Interactive Online TEFL Courses are brand new for 2023. They feature new content and an updated learning platform. As well as structured assessments at the end of each module, there are many opportunities to test your knowledge throughout the course. Learning elements include quizzes, sorting activities, matching activities, galleries, and much more.
Help and support
It’s best to look for TEFL course providers that offer support once you’ve completed your course. The last thing you’ll want is to come out with your certificate, and then have no idea where to begin looking for jobs. At UK-TEFL, we have dedicated jobs advisors who can talk you through all of our current opportunities, as well as where else you might want to look. You can take a peek of what's on offer on our jobs board. Which opportunities catch your eye?
Now you know what to look out for when choosing your course and your course provider, you should find the whole process a little easier. You can find out all the information about our Interactive Online Courses and our Classroom Courses on our website.
