AccessTEFL - our teacher training programme
4 modules | 80 hours of teaching practice | moderated by NILE
AccessTEFL is an on-the-job teacher training programme for English language teachers.
Teachers who complete the AccessTEFL programme will be accepted to teach at British Council accredited centres in the UK.
The programme offers more teaching experience than other TEFL training routes at the same level. It offers a low-cost way for teachers to gain a recognised qualification and allows them to earn while they train.
About the programme
The training programme includes:
- self-guided study
- at least 80 hours of teaching practice
- self-reflection tasks
- lesson observation
- feedback and mentoring from experienced teachers
Teachers have a maximum of nine months to complete the training programme, which involves building a teaching and learning portfolio. During this time teachers can work with more than one language centre.
AccessTEFL is awarded and certificated by English UK. Portfolios are moderated and approved by NILE.
Who can train through AccessTEFL?
AccessTEFL is for English language teachers who have already completed some TEFL training.
Trainees are required to:
- Have 30 hours minimum prior study of ELT (for example, an online introduction to TEFL course)
- Have a Level 3 qualification, such as GCE A-levels, advanced apprenticeship, or an international equivalent
- Evidence of a CEFR C1 level if English is not their first language
Information for language centres
Any British Council accredited centre can recruit trainee teachers through the AccessTEFL programme.
Teachers who successfully complete the programme will have a qualification accepted by Accreditation UK and suitable for working in British Council accredited centres.
>> Download and read the AccessTEFL guidance for language centres
Information for trainee teachers
By completing the AccessTEFL programme you'll be accepted to work at any British Council accredited language centre in the UK.
You'll earn while you train and gain confidence by training in a real teaching environment.
UK language centres will start promoting AccessTEFL opportunities in August 2024. If there is a specific language centre that you would like to train with, we encourage you to contact them directly to express your interest. Check the list of English UK members to find an English language centre.
>> Download and read the AccessTEFL guidance for trainees
Information webinar for members
Recorded: Thursday 22 August, 15:00 - 15:45
Watch the webinar to learn more about the AccessTEFL programme, how it was developed and what you need to do to offer this to prospective teachers.
>> Member webinars (requires member login)
How AccessTEFL is assessed
The AccessTEFL qualification uses a portfolio-based assessment model in which the reliability of the assessment is based on a broad sample of types of evidence, and a range of approaches to collecting and reflecting on this evidence. The AccessTEFL teaching and learning portfolio is not a showcase portfolio where the trainee selects their best pieces of work. It is a structured process portfolio where the trainee is guided to include specific evidence and reflection at different points across the four modules of the qualification, over an extended period of time. These portfolio tasks are designed to encourage self-reflection and discussion with the trainee's mentor as key components of the evidence gathered. Moderation of the portfolio is based on a systematic review of the evidence collated, the reflections produced, and the classroom practice recorded, and not a criterion-referenced judgement of this content.
This contrasts with a performance-based, criterion-referenced assessment model. In a qualification such as Cambridge Assessment English's CELTA for example, a specific number of teaching events are assessed against a set of criteria, and a set of written assignments is similarly assessed. The assessors in this case are standardised by the examination body to apply the criteria to this representative sample of 6-10 teaching events and four assignments. The accompanying moderation is an evaluation of the application of the criteria to a candidates' sampled performance – for one teaching event and for the four written assignments.
No judgement is intended here about the relative validity or effectiveness of each approach. The aim is solely to draw attention to their differences from an assessment and moderation perspective.
>> Enrol on AccessTEFL
The above enrolment form is for trainees.
Accreditated ELT centres that are interested in offering AccessTEFL, please contact the team.
