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DEAC has approved our Level 5 TEFL Course as meeting the criteria for Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) status. This endorsement applies to our Level 5 courses: the 180-hour, the 4x 60-hour, and the 300-hour Advanced Diploma. However, it’s important to note that DEAC does not approve our 120-hour, 240-hour, or 30-hour courses. As outlined by our academic director, this approval signifies that:

• Our course aligns with the standards set for course content, curriculum, and assessments in the United States.
• It undergoes rigorous and stringent checks to ensure adherence to these standards.
• The course curriculum and assessments undergo comprehensive reviews.
• We maintain the highest standards throughout the development and delivery of our courses.
• Our course is guaranteed to meet the standards set by the US Department for Education in the field of TEFL.

DEAC, or the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, is a recognised accrediting agency by the US Department of Education. AQC, or Approved Quality Curriculum, is a status granted by DEAC to signify that a course meets its rigorous quality standards. These approvals assure our students of our TEFL courses’ high quality and credibility.

Yes, the TEFL Institute of Ireland is accredited and recognised by several reputable organisations and awarding bodies. Our TEFL courses are recognised and approved by Highfield Qualifications, an esteemed awarding body in the United Kingdom. We are an approved training centre by Highfield Qualifications, an independent Ofqual-approved Awarding Organization, demonstrating our commitment to delivering high-quality TEFL courses.

Additionally, our Level 5 TEFL courses are regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, the regulatory body for vocational qualifications in England and Northern Ireland. Ofqual has approved Highfield, the awarding organisation, to provide a wide range of regulated qualifications, including our TEFL Diploma course.

Moreover, our courses undergo accreditation and approval processes with the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), ensuring they meet the Approved Quality Curriculum (AQC) status criteria. The DEAC approval signifies that our courses adhere to stringent standards set by the US Department of Education.

Furthermore, the TEFL Institute of Ireland is accredited by the Open and Distance Learning Quality Council (ODLQC), formerly the Council for the Accreditation of Correspondence Colleges. This accreditation validates our commitment to maintaining high standards in teacher training through rigorous assessment and external monitoring.

In summary, yes, the TEFL Institute of Ireland is accredited, and our TEFL courses are recognised by reputable accrediting bodies and awarding organisations, including Highfield Qualifications, Ofqual, DEAC, and ODLQC.

DEAC stands for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission. It is a recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. DEAC evaluates and accredits distance education programs offered by various educational institutions, ensuring that they meet specific quality standards and criteria.

A reputable TEFL company should have an approved licence number from an independent regulatory body. It should also be a registered company in the country where its offices operate. The TEFL Institute of Ireland is accredited by the ACDL (Accreditation Council for Distance Learning). All our course materials have been externally and independently approved by TQUK, endorsing our brand as one of high standards and excellence.

The industry standard required by TEFL employers is 120 hours of training. Any additional training, including specialist courses like teaching business English, is always a bonus. Employers will also look for transferable skills and a personality that’s suited to moving abroad, overcoming challenging and jumping into a new career with both feet.

If your teaching qualification (such as a degree) is in English teaching then TEFL is not essential. However, TEFL courses give you the skills and knowledge to transfer your teaching expertise to non-native English speakers. There are also specialist courses that may cover topics you haven’t previously studied. 

TEFL is a lifetime qualification, which does not expire. If you gained your TEFL qualification a few years ago, you might want to take a new TEFL course to refresh your training. If you already have the core TEFL certification, you can take a specialist TEFL course to boost your CV and show your commitment to teaching. 

While Level 5 courses are not the same as a CELTA, they are assessed to be the same level of difficulty as a CELTA qualification. The difference between CELTA and Level 5 TEFL is the way they’re delivered. With a TEFL qualification, you’re more likely to study online at your pace while a CELTA course is typically full-time and in-person. When applying for TEFL jobs you may find a small number of employers request teachers have a CELTA.

The great news is your lifetime TEFL certification never expires. However, if you gained your TEFL qualification a few years ago, you may want to take a new TEFL course to refresh your training. We offer a range of specialist TEFL courses, such as Teaching Business English, Teaching English Online and a Virtual TEFL Course that can enhance your skills. 

The TEFL job market is very competitive, so having specialist TEFL qualifications gives you a stronger TEFL CV and shows professional development since the date of your original certification.

Non-native speakers often find the Ofqual Regulated Level 5 TEFL courses quite challenging. As a guide, we recommend that non-native speakers have a minimum IELTS 6.5 score. 

First and foremost, an aspiring TEFL teacher must be a native or fluent English speaker. We suggest people who are at least 16 years old with a C1 level of English or higher. A TEFL course and teaching English is perfect for you if you:

◾Are passionate about teaching and helping others to learn
◾Have a good knowledge of the English language including sentence structure, vocabulary and grammar
◾Are open and willing to adapt to other cultures and languages
◾Want to travel and see the world
◾Are looking for an exciting and flexible career path
◾Are outgoing and confident speaking in front of a class or ready to build your classroom confidence.

You do not have to have prior teaching experience or a degree to do a TEFL course. However, the ability to work using your initiative is important. Our TEFL courses are online, so you will need to be well motivated. 

As a TEFL qualified teacher, the world is your oyster. With a TEFL certificate you can live and teach abroad, teach online while travelling the world or set your own hours working from the comfort of your own home. 

Our 120 hour TEFL certificate is accredited and internationally recognised, so you can teach online or around the world. If you’re looking to teach in your home country at a language centre or would like to go to the UAE, we would suggest you do a higher level qualification, such as the 180 Hour Level 5 TEFL Course. This is the requirement in such competitive countries. 

Confused about which TEFL course to enrol in? Don’t worry, as long as you can speak English at a fluent or near-fluent level, then you are eligible to take one of the TEFL Institute of Ireland’s regulated TEFL courses.

Non-native speakers do sometimes find the Ofqual Regulated Level 5 TEFL course quite challenging and we understand it is essential for you to be sure that you are comfortable with your English language abilities before choosing which course to take. As a guide, we recommend that that non-native speakers have a minimum IELTS 6.5 score. If you are unsure you should take our FREE online level test below

Complete The TEFL Institute of Ireland’s FREE English Level Test which has been designed to assist you with making this important decision.  If you have any doubts, request a call, and we can discuss which course would suit your needs.

To find out more read this blog about the difference between accredited vs Level 5 TEFL course here.

A regulated TEFL qualification means that it is officially recognised by the government and sits on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications.

A Level 5 TEFL course is one that’s regulated by Ofqual according to its qualifications’ framework. 

By taking a Level 5 TEFL course, you’re gaining a qualification that’s assessed as the same level and difficulty as the following: a diploma of higher education (DipHE), a foundation degree, 2 years at university and the CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL teaching qualifications. Once qualified with a Level 5 TEFL qualification, you’ll have access to the most competitive jobs worldwide.

The “Teaching English as a Foreign Language” (TEFL) certificate, is the most commonly accepted certificate worldwide. This certificate allows you to teach English to non-native speakers across the globe. The main qualifications to get a TEFL is to have the ability to speak English at a native-level and then complete a course. You can complete a TEFL course either online or in a classroom. The different courses vary based on the number of hours it takes to complete.