Who is a reputable provider?

A course may be provided by a university, a further education (FE) establishment, a private language school or other educational organisation or institution. A reputable provider will have their course accredited by a recognised body whose courses are internationally valid.

Who has accredited the course and what gives them the ability to accredit courses?

Many reputable employers will not regard the qualification alone as a basis for employment. You should ask the course provider to provide you with contact details about course accreditation and who the accrediting body is.

Where is the qualification located in the national or international frameworks?

The frameworks group together qualifications that place similar demands on you as a learner. However, within any one level, qualifications can cover a wide mix of subjects, and take different amounts of time to complete.

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) has been designed by the higher education sector, and describes all the main higher education qualifications. It applies to degrees, diplomas, certificates and other academic awards granted by a university or higher education colleges.

The National Qualifications Framework (NQF) sets out the level at which a qualification can be recognised in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

These frameworks show potential teachers in training how their chosen qualification relates to other qualifications in the same field. For example, in England, The College of Teachers' Preliminary TESOL Certificate of Educational Studies course is situated at Level 2 NQF, and  the Associateship of The College of Teachers and the Associatship of The College of Teachers with Teaching Practice is situated at level 5 NQF.

What is the name and status of the accreditation body?

The awarding body, examination board or accreditation body is the organisation which sets the curriculum for the course, validates and monitors the course provider, and issues the final qualification (certificate, diploma, etc.). You should check whether the qualification offered and the awarding body are recognised by institutions in the area where you intend to teach. The titles University and College are protected within the United Kingdom, but not necessarily outside the borders of the United Kingdom.

What is the quality assurance process?

All course providers must submit a course for accreditation before the course is approved. It is important that the accreditation body has a strict and detailed validation procedure before confirming approval for the course provider to that course. Each course must face the same procedures and course providers are not exempt from any part of the process. Following the accreditation of a course, the accreditation body should monitor the course regularly against rigorous criteria. The process of monitoring an accredited course should include:

• checking the course content,
• checking the teaching standards,
• checking the standards of written and oral work during and at the end of the course.

What are the admissions criteria and application procedures for the course?

It is important to have clear admissions criteria and application procedures, because:

• these help applicants to decide whether the course will be suitable in terms of their previous experience and/or knowledge.
• course tutors must be sure that course applicants have any prerequisite skills and/or competences, so that course participants stand a good chance of being able to complete the course and the assignments successfully.

A serious training course must allow for the possibility that a participant may fail; course providers have no wish to see participants waste their time and money by undertaking a course they are clearly not yet ready for.

Does the accreditation body manage a clearly defined appeals and complaints procedure for course participants?

In the interest of transparency, participants should be able to follow a clear set of procedures, if necessary, to register an appeal to the awarding body if results or judgments are felt, for any reason, to be unjust or questionable, or if the course did not appear to meet the criteria set by the awarding body.

The following links will help you navigate your way through to finding a course that is suitable for you.

1. How to choose a TESOL/TEFL course suitable for you.
2. Basic definitions in English language teaching.
3. What should I know about course providers?
4. Centres with courses accredited by The College of Teachers. 

For further information on TESOL and TEFL qualifications offered by The College see TESOL Qualifications.

If you are an institution interested in course accreditation please see the steps to course accreditation.