Qualifications for TEFL teachers

by: Fornitasari

The ideal qualification is an undergraduate degree in any subject, plus a certificate in teaching English. Different certificates are issued by numerous organizations and vary widely in acceptance by employers. There is no single international organization which accredits all courses or qualifications. However, there are several international certificate programs which are run by schools in various locations around the world. Both qualifications are recognised by the British Council. These include:
CELTA, offered by Cambridge ESOL
CertTESOL, offered by Trinity College London ESOL
Some universities also issue certificates in English language teaching, either as stand-alone qualifications or as components of longer degree or postgraduate programs.[citation needed]
Qualification requirements vary considerably, not only from country to country, but also among employers within the same country. It may be possible to teach with neither a BA nor one of these certificates. However, as a general rule, private language schools in some countries are likely to require a certificate based on successful completion of a course consisting of a minimum of 120 hours, including six hours (sometimes more) of observed and assessed teaching practice and written assignments. Many language schools will accept any certificate which fulfils these criteria, while others will be looking for teachers with specific certificates. It is also possible to gain certificates by completing shorter courses, or online courses, but these certificates do not always satisfy employer requirements due to the lack of teaching practice. It is also important to note that some private language schools will require teachers to complete their own in-house training programs, whether or not they have obtained qualifications from elsewhere. Where there is a high demand for teachers and no statutory requirements, employers may be willing to accept unqualified candidates.