Do I need to have a British Council accredited TEFL course?

When you’re choosing a TEFL course, it’s really important to make sure that it’s accredited by a reputable organisation. There are several accrediting bodies, and we often get asked if aspiring TEFL teachers should search for a course that’s accredited by the British Council.

The answer is: the British Council doesn’t accredit TEFL courses – so no, this isn’t a requirement you’d ever need to fill.

They’re the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural relations. They operate over six continents and over 100 counties supporting educators in the UK and worldwide to work together to enrich the quality of education in schools and to equip young people to live and work successfully as part of a global society.

You’ll likely often hear of them as they’re huge in the TEFL world, with schools worldwide. That said, they don’t accredit TEFL courses, just educational establishments in the UK that offer English language courses. You may hear that a school is accredited by the British Council, but never a TEFL course.

When you’re making the decision about purchasing your TEFL course, it’s important to make sure that it is accredited. There are several accrediting bodies out there – ODLQC (Open Distance Learning Quality Council) and Pearson are two well-known companies, but with any accreditor it’s important to do your research and make sure they are reputable too.

The British Council can certainly still help you find a job abroad, although its entrance requirements are higher than those of many other employers. Visit the British Council website to check out their worldwide jobs board and check out what’s required to secure your place.

Don’t forget, a TEFL course is your passport to the world. View our full range of TEFL courses here.