The TEFL Institute: What You Need to Know

There are lots of organizations and companies out there that deliver specialized instruction known as “teaching English as a foreign language” – otherwise usually abbreviated as simply TEFL.

One such giant in the industry is the TEFL Institute. Let’s explore what the TEFL Institute is and why it’s such a big name in the wide world of TEFL.

What is the TEFL Institute?

The TEFL Institute, as the name implies, delivers TEFL instruction to prospective or current English teachers with the aim of equipping them with the tools and skills they need to thrive in English as a second language (ESL) classrooms worldwide.

Here’s how the organization describes itself, via its “about” page:

“Founded in 2017, the TEFL Institute offers over 30 years of experience from its senior staff. Independently regulated and a significant provider for distance learning, our focus is on bringing you academically high quality internationally recognised certifications."

Its stated values are “enthusiasm,” “commitment,” “intracompany relations,” and “integrity.”

The company boasts that it has certified 27,000+ teachers from over 30 countries.

If you’re reading this on a phone or tablet, download the app on the Apple Store or Google Play to learn more about the company and its programs.

The TEFL Institute also regularly hosts online seminars covering a variety of topics related to the wide world of ESL.

On teflcoursereview.com, the TEFL Institute has an impressive 4.7/5-star rating based on 180 reviews from students.

The TEFL Institute’s Flagship Course

The TEFL Institute’s bread-and-butter TEFL course is its 120-Hour Advanced TEFL Course International Standard. Here are the highlights:

• Content hosted 100% online with 24/7 access available
• The curriculum is broken down into ten modules, including lesson planning, teaching the four basic English skills, and how to develop your ESL career after finishing the training
• Designed for bachelor’s degree holders who are native speakers (meaning UK, Ireland, United States, Canada, South Africa, Australian and New Zealand passport holders)
• Personal online tutor support
• Courses accredited by Highfield Qualifications and/or Accreditation Council for Distance Learning (ACDL) (see later section regarding the importance of third-party accreditation)
• 97% reported pass rate
• Lifetime access to alumni professional support forum

There are tons of reviews of the TEFL Institute’s online course available on the web. Here’s what feedback Doireann O Donovan offers via Google reviews:

“I thoroughly enjoyed engaging with the 120 hour TEFL course. I believe this course has well prepared me for teaching English in another country or in Ireland. Each module was interesting and enjoyable. I really appreciated the help of Emma Coleman who acted as my go-to person and was always readily available to help me with any issues or questions I had throughout."

If you’re unsure which TEFL course best suits your current skill level, check out the Institute’s free English test.

Other TEFL Institute courses to teach English online

Online ESL education is a booming industry. The discipline comes with its own set of unique challenges that differentiate it from in-person ESL instruction. Accordingly, the TEFL Institute offers courses devoted to the online ESL niche, including:

• 60-Hour Award In Teaching English Online & One-To-One
• 190-Hour Hybrid Online Educator TEFL Course
• 310-Hour Level 5 Hybrid TEFL Advanced Diploma Ofqual Regulated

The basic selling point of each of these courses is to “explain the key difference between classroom teaching and online teaching and what this means for you as the teacher and the students.” You will also learn lesson-planning strategies to effectively deliver online and one-on-one ESL instruction.

Are The TEFL Institute’s Courses Accredited?

The dirty secret of the TEFL industry is that it is nearly entirely unregulated. It’s the Wild Wild West.

Accordingly, when considering any TEFL course, it’s critical to ascertain whether the course is accredited by a recognized body. Without proper accreditation, a TEFL certificate is worth the paper it’s printed on.

Many of The TEFL Institute’s courses are accredited by Accreditation Council for Distance Learning (ACDL), which offers its stamp of approval to “recognise leading providers of distance education in different fields.” (The TEFL institute, which is based in Ireland, uses “recognize” rather than “recognize” because of the difference in British vs American English.)

Some of the TEFL Institute’s courses are also backed by a Highfield Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL). Highfield describes itself as “a global leader in compliance and work-based learning and apprenticeship qualifications.”

What other services or resources does the TEFL Institute supply?

Let’s survey a few services and resources beyond simple TEFL training that the Institute offers:

• An online job board. The TEFL Institute hosts its own online job board with listings from schools all over the world. Many of these jobs may be listed across multiple platforms, but some may be exclusive to the TEFL Institute
• TEFL Internships. The TEFL Institute offers numerous paid internship programs – which include “20 hours of online TEFL training, accommodation, in-country support, orientation, visa assistance, and paid work” – in Thailand, South Korea, and Vietnam. If you’re thinking about teaching English in Asia, this might be a good way to get your foot in the door.
• Online Lesson Resources Guides (a reservoir of excellent resources to use in online English lessons
• Salary Calculator for online teaching (learn how much you can make teaching English online)
• Verify Your Certificate (employers can verify the authenticity of your TEFL certificate through this tool)
• TEFL blogs (covering every conceivable issue related to the TEFL industry and the teacher experience)
• The TEFL Institute Ambassador program (offering affiliate marketing opportunities to check out if you’re a blogger and/or active on social media)

Competing/Alternative TEFL Programs

It’s always wise to get a good look at your options before committing to one TEFL course or teacher placement program. Here are a few high-profile alternatives worthy of mention:

• RVF International. RVF International specializes in placing English teachers in rewarding ESL positions scattered throughout the beautiful nation of Spain.
• Footprints Recruiting. Footprints Recruiting is a big name in the TEFL training/teacher placement game. Check out this interesting Reddit thread comparing and contrasting The TEFL Institute vs. Footprints.
• TEFL.org has been around for years and offers numerous TEFL course packages, many of which are relatively more affordable than competitors.

Contact RVF International to learn more about the TEFL industry

We’re your go-to partners in crime when it comes to navigating the complex world of TEFL and its many players, including the TEFL Institute. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions regarding this issue or any other related to teaching English as a foreign language in Spain.

Ben Bartee is a Bangkok-based American journalist, grant writer, political essayist, researcher, travel blogger, and amateur philosopher. Contact him on Linkedin and check out his portfolio.