Did you know that TEFL courses can be classified under different qualification levels, including TEFL Level 3, TEFL Level 5 and TEFL Level 7!? Just when you thought choosing a suitable TEFL course would be pretty straightforward you find out that there are different levels on offer!
Before you choose your TEFL course it is important to understand what each of these TEFL levels represent. This will help you decide what level you should study at. Additionally, it will inform you what course you should take in order to get the job you want.
What is TEFL Level 3, TEFL Level 5 and TEFL Level 7?
Firstly, you should be aware that TEFL levels are based upon the UK qualifications framework. This ranges from levels 0-8. To get a more in-depth idea of what sort of qualification each level relates to check out the image below:
A good example of a level 3 qualification is the AS and A levels. For those of you not from the UK, these are exams done at age 17-18. They are needed in order to get into university.
An example of a Level 5 qualification is a foundation degree, whilst an example of a Level 7 qualification is a Master’s degree. Everyone should be familiar with them!
What are the differences between the TEFL qualification levels?
TEFL courses with no level
If you see a TEFL course with no level attributed to it, proceed with caution. This usually means that it doesn’t qualify to be on the UK framework and isn’t regulated by Ofqual, a department of the UK government. To see if your TEFL course is Ofqual regulated, check the Ofqual register. However, please note that not every course provider will necessarily be listed here.
Level 3 TEFL courses
Level 3 TEFL courses are typically 120 + hours long and equivalent to an A-Level qualification. They are recognised worldwide and are a great entry level qualification for people who want to teach and travel, volunteer abroad or teach English online.
If you’re looking for a good deal on a level 3 online TEFL course, i-to-i.com offer a great 120 hour course with regular discounts.
Level 5 TEFL courses
Level 5 TEFL courses have at least 168 hours of study time and are naturally more in depth than a level 3 TEFL qualification. This means that they can cover additional content such as teaching English to young learners or Business English.
With a level 5 TEFL course you can go after TEFL jobs in more competitive locations such as the UK, Canada and Middle East. You can find a list of the best level 5 TEFL courses online here. Some of these even include online teaching practice.
Furthermore, a level 5 TEFL certification is on the same level as a foundation degree and the CELTA. Although they are generally not quite as expensive as either of these!
For the best value level 5 TEFL course, check out the 220 hour master package with leading TEFL course provider ITTT for 50% off. It includes a dedicated course on teaching Business English and Teaching English to Young Learners (CTEYL). You even get an additional 10% off on top of any existing offer on the ITTT site using the link below:
CELTA
CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) is a level 5 course provided by Cambridge English Language Assessment. It can be undertaken in training centres all around the world. Generally done over 4-6 weeks of full-time training, the CELTA course is always 120 + hours long with at least 6 hours of live teaching practice.
To take the course, you must have an English level of at least C1 on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
The CELTA course has a strong reputation in the TEFL industry. It is a great entry level qualification to get into English teaching. It will open the door to English teaching jobs in all locations, including the most competitive ones. So, if you take CELTA you’ll have plenty of options!
Trinity CertTESOL
The Trinity CertTESOL is an accredited level 5 qualification awarded by the Trinity College of London. It includes a minimum of 130 hours study time with an expected 70 hours of extra study required (200 hours total).
CertTESOL is ideal for those with little or no teaching experience looking to get an internationally recognised qualification. It includes supervised and observed teaching practice like CELTA and is very highly regarded around the world. Undertaking CertTESOL should therefore present you with a host of employment opportunities wherever you want to teach.
Level 7 TEFL courses
DELTA
The DELTA course is of an equivalent level to a master’s degree. It can take up to 7-12 weeks of intensive study (depending on the training centre) with exams afterwards. Alternatively, it can take up to 9 months if you study part-time. Upon completion of the DELTA course you’ll receive a diploma.
In order to study the DELTA, you’ll need to have already taken a 120 + hour TEFL certificate or the CELTA or equivalent. You will also need to have been teaching for at least a year.
DELTA is an extensive qualification, which you would expect for such a high level course. It is ideal for those looking to open their own language school, get into management positions or train other teachers. DELTA is therefore something you should be looking at if you’ve already got a bit of English teaching experience and want to further your career in the field.
DipTESOL
DipTESOL, or the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, is an internationally respected level 7 qualification from the Trinity College of London. It is an advanced qualification of an equivalent level to a master’s degree.
Applicants will be expected to have had at least 2 years of academic teaching experience. Plus you will need a degree as well or a qualification of the same level. Full-time courses typically last between 10-12 weeks and part-time courses up to a year. There is a written examination at the end.
Upon completion of the DipTESOL course you’ll obtain a diploma. This will enable you to seek out roles such as director of studies, centre manager, teacher educator or examiner. It is therefore ideal for those looking to further their English teaching career and branch out into other opportunities.
Should I do TEFL level 3 or TEFL level 5?
When deciding upon a level 3 or level 5 TEFL course, you need to determine what you want out of it. A level 3 course will be perfectly fine if you want to teach English online. It should also be good enough to get you an entry level position teaching English as a foreign language abroad.
However, if you want your pick of the TEFL jobs online or abroad you should really go for a level 5 course. The TEFL certification cost is a bit higher than a level 3 course, but many of the best online TEFL courses are level 5.
Employers do value the level of the course and by taking a level 5 TEFL course you will get more options such as teaching young learners which you can add to your CV and cover letter. Some level 5 TEFL courses may even have the option of that all important teaching practice depending upon the course.
The Teaching practice element is one of the reasons why the CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are popular with those looking to make a career out of teaching English. But should you do CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL instead of a level 5 TEFL course?
Should I do CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL instead?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The best TEFL certificate for you will depend on your individual needs and experience. Some employers will ask for CELTA or CertTESOL specifically, but these are usually in the minority. This means that in most cases a level 5 TEFL certificate should be enough. This is particularly true if you are just starting out and don’t have any experience.
If you look at any TEFL jobs board, most entry level positions will simply require a TEFL certificate from an accredited TEFL course provider.Therefore, a level 5 TEFL certificate, the CELTA and CertTESOL should all fit the bill.
If you want to do a classroom course and get some teaching practice, CELTA and CertTESOL could be for you. They both run over the course of the month in an intensive classroom format which includes 6 hours of observed teaching practice. However, they also tend to be considerably more expensive than a level 5 TEFL qualification which can easily be done online.
Plus, and as mentioned, the higher price of CELTA and CertTESOL does not always equate to better job prospects if you’re just starting out. Sometimes, doing a cheap TEFL course online can be enough to land you a job.
To see which TEFL course is right for you, it’s worth checking the requirements of the employers where you want to work before taking your decision. Some may require you to have done CELTA, others will be happy with a TEFL course.
In summary
Many employers view the level of TEFL courses as a key element when examining the quality of TEFL qualification. Therefore, before you go for the cheapest course you should always consider its TEFL level. Additionally, you should see if it has a TEFL accreditation from a reputable organisation. These factors combined could seriously help you with your job applications and make sure you get the right training.
James has been helping people teach English abroad for over twelve years. He’s traveled to over 30 countries, lived in 3, and taught English in Chile and online.
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