Who Accredits Tefl Courses And What Should You Look Out For?

By Author: Ian Smith
Total Articles: 1
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In contradiction to common belief there is no unified system for the accreditation of TEFL courses. There is no single body or organisation that accredits or regulates TEFL courses. This can seem confusing to students wishing to study a TEFL course, but almost all courses, no matter what the subject are accredited by different accreditation bodies. The same is also the case for TEFL courses.

To ensure your TEFL certificate/qualification will be accepted on an international basis you should ensure that your chosen course is accredited by an organisation that is internationally recognised. The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) is such an organisation. Based in New York The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) currently accredits over 200 course providers in more than 20 countries world wide.

There are many national awarding bodies that accredit courses in their own constituent counties, but these organisations are often not recognised outside of their countries and can therefore offer limited international credibility. The benefit of choosing a TEFL course that is accredited by a body that accredits ...
... courses internationally, such as The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC), is that your qualification will have more weight when applying for international jobs.

TEFL courses offered by universities are also internationally recognised. If you have the time and money to study a TEFL course at a university it could be a good choice. Most universities in the English speaking world have some form of international reputation. A university qualification makes it easy for potential employers to check the validity of your TEFL certificate.

The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) is not the only organisation that has international standing. Although not as well known the UK based Open & Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) has an international reputation and a TEFL course accredited by the Open & Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC) could also be a good choice. Although their international reputation is not as strong as the The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) most employers will recognise the qualification.

The most important thing is to think about what your TEFL certificate will mean when presented to employers abroad. If your certificate is only accredited by an organisation that operates in your own country, employers abroad may not recognise it. If your course is operated by a University then the same rule, in most circumstances, would not apply. To be safe your best bet is to stick to a well known accrediting body such as the World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) or the Open & Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC).