Frequently Asked Questions

Some Frequently Asked Questions

Are TESOL and TEFL courses different?

No, not at all, the acronyms are different but basically mean the same.

Do I need to be a native English speaker to follow a course provided by an ACTDEC accredited member institution?

No, most certainly not. Non-native speakers are warmly welcomed by all accredited members. Should you have any concerns regarding your level of English language proficiency please check with your intended course provider.

Which course will be best for me?

This is not at all easy to respond to simply because it's largely a question of personal preference based on concerns ranging from choice of course level, how this might feature in your career aims and also budgetary consideration. In brief however the following rough guide may prove helpful to you.

Level 1	70-hour distance course leading to the: Preliminary Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL TESOL Assistant.
	This is a course for anyone seeking an introduction to the world of TESOL and provides a useful qualification for gap-year teaching posts.
Level 2	120 - 150-hour distance course leading to the: Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL Associate Teacher of ESOL.
	This programme provides a thorough introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English and may be seen as an initial step on a modular pathway towards a more advanced qualification. Holders of this qualification almost always obtain suitable teaching posts.
Level 3	250-hour distance course leading to the: Certificate in The Theory and Methodology of TESOL Accredited Teacher Status.
	This well-recognised professional qualification will certainly enable you to easily obtain teaching posts abroad. Coupled with award of the Certificate of Teaching Practice Development in TESOL, showing proof of classroom teaching experience, will further increase your range of job opportunities.
Level 4	400-450 hour distance course leading to the: Diploma in The Theory and Methodology of TESOL Senior Teacher Status.
	This advanced distance programme is open to candidates who are qualified or experienced teachers with at least two years' full-time experience. This course is aimed at teachers of English unable to travel to complete a course with a residential component, but who wish to familiarise themselves with the latest methodological approaches, classroom techniques, educational technology and teaching strategies.

How do I know which providers are accredited?

Only those listed as accredited members on our website are genuine bona fide ACTDEC members. The list is always accurate and regularly updated. If a distance provider is not listed they are not an applicant or accredited member. The list can also be obtained by post upon request.

What qualifications do I need to work in the United Kingdom?

Because of their accreditation criteria most institutions in the UK require teachers holding a TESOL certificate (with a minimum of 150 hours tuition) to have had at least six hours observed teaching practice as part of their certificate training programme.

The British Council Accreditation Scheme states that "teaching staff are required to be 'qualified' that is their qualifications meet the criteria" ASAC (the Accreditation Scheme Advisory Committee) "will not consider acceptable courses that do not have a supervised teaching practice component."

The combination of the ACTDEC Teaching Practice Portfolio Scheme, coupled with successful completion of a level 2 or 3 course, meet ASAC's criteria both in terms of course content and assessed teaching practice.

How important is teaching practice?

It's really important for two reasons. First, discerning employers prefer teachers to have had supervised teaching practice. Second, because of their accreditation criteria, most institutions in the UK require teachers holding a TESOL certificate, to have had at least six hours observed teaching practice as part of their certificate programme. If you can possibly do so you should apply for the Teaching Practice Portfolio Scheme and complete the programme.

Award of the ACTDEC Certificate of Teaching Practice Development in Teaching English to Speakers of Others Languages provides proof of classroom teaching practice and increases your job opportunities.

Who owns and operates ACTDEC? How do I know the organisation is genuine?

ACTDEC, founded in 1993 for the benefit of the public, is a non-profit making body governed by officers and Council, established to advance professionalism by maintaining and also improving on standards of distance TESOL/TEFL programmes.

Chair of ACTDEC, Secretary and Treasurer are elected annually from accredited members. Council is made up of co-opted members prominent in the ELT profession and members elected by accredited providers.

ACTDEC, as a body, is owned by its accredited member organisations, it receives no support, funding or grants and is completely self-supporting. All funds generated by ACTDEC are used solely to further promote ACTDEC, its work in general and in developing and advancing its accreditation aims, professional standards and excellence in TESOL distance learning.

The fact that ACTDEC has now been around for some fourteen years (see history of ACTDEC), is recognised within the profession, has well-qualified, named accreditation panel members and a list of accredited members who can all be easily contacted should prove sufficient to allay any concern.

Where can I see the ACTDEC course syllabus for the programme level I am interested in?

Samples are available on this website:
see Level One
see Level Two
see Level Three
see Level Four

Does accreditation really matter?

Absolutely! Professional standards are really essential in the training of teachers of English and this is especially true in the case of free-standing TESOL distance programmes.

There are many distance course providers who are not accredited by any external independent body and who simply accredit themselves. Some are 'accredited' by 'virtual' universities which are not recognised universities in any commonly understood sense. Others are 'accredited' by bodies that simply register them as course providers without attempting to assess the quality of their programmes. The anonymity of cyberspace can provide ideal camouflage for some unscrupulous operators offering non-accredited distance ELT programmes.

Organisations that are not prepared to submit themselves or their courses, to the scrutiny of syllabus-based external accreditation very often have something to hide.

Based on a rigorous professional code of practice ACTDEC accredits TESOL/TEFL distance course providers for four separate course levels graded from introductory to advanced.

Students following an ACTDEC accredited course can be sure of academic quality assurance, quality assessment procedures and service; they will also know that the qualification the course leads to is a professional qualification widely recognised and respected. Non-accredited providers offer no such safeguard.

Employing a teacher with an internationally recognised certificate or diploma is clearly a safer and wiser choice than employing someone with a non-accredited in-house certificate or someone with no ELT qualification at all.

Who can join?

Membership is open to any institution worldwide providing quality English language distance training. See specimen regulations and syllabuses.