The Code of Practice of the World TEFL Accrediting Commission Sets the Standard for English as a Foreign Language Courses

TEFL Accreditation Organisation

The World TEFL Accrediting Commission (WTEFLAC) was created to help raise the standard of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) in countries around the world. Because English is a language that many people want to learn, there have cropped up over the years opportunities for English speakers to travel to foreign countries to teach their native tongue. Unfortunately, there have been little or no standards with regard to the courses offered which has resulted in less than effective teaching and learning. WTEFLAC has sought to create guidelines and standards by which programs can become accredited thus providing legitimacy to the courses offered. This can give confidence to both the student and the teacher who participates. One of the ways that the World TEFL Accrediting Commission does this is through a Code of Practice that all providers who seek accreditation must follow.

There are a number of ways that the Code of Practice helps achieve the WTEFLAC achieve its goals. The Code of Practice requires that advertising be true, that the provider be transparent about fees, and that there is sufficient information for students to assess what the course will cover so that they can make aeducated choice regarding whether they would like to take it.

By requiring an admission policy that has some English language competence and meets equal opportunity standards, the WTEFLAC is seeking to prevent students that have no English experience whatsoever from being herded into classrooms. This is a good idea because most teachers will have little or no experience with the student’s native language and will be unable to teach without the students having some basic knowledge of English.

The World TEFL Accrediting Commission Code of Practice also requires that the courses offered be taught by someone who has at least three years of experience teaching English as a foreign language. While this may prevent some college students from taking a year off to have a foreign experience teaching English, it improves the experience of the students enrolled in the course. The Code of Practice also requires that teachers receive sufficient training.

The guidelines governing the content of the courses simply seek to ensure that the students are presented with material that is manageable, clear and will actually help them reach their professional goals.

The Code of Practice requires that courses provide consistent feedback to the students and that upon completion of the course that the students receive a certificate that is approved by WTELFAC. This can help students understand how they can continue to improve their language skills and have proof that they have participated in a WTEFLAC approved course.

By providing a Code of Practice, the World TEFL Accrediting Commission has set the standard by which English as a foreign language courses should be taught. By monitoring accredited providers, the WTELFAC can ensure that both students and teachers who participate in the courses have a quality experience.