Let’s start from the beginning. What do we actually mean by ‘how to make your TEFL universal’? Well, we’re referring to your TEFL qualification and your TEFL skills, and how you make these respected and admired by TEFL employers and students around the world. Something that is definitely necessary if you want to land your perfect TEFL role and live your TEFL dreams!
So, where do you start? We’ve narrowed it down to 4 key ways that you can make your TEFL universal, so keep reading to find out more!
1. Make sure your TEFL course is accredited
This is such an important one that it had to come first! If you want to make your TEFL universal, accreditation is to a TEFL course what wheels are to a car. You can’t have one without the other! Accreditation lets you know that the course has been independently assessed and deemed ‘suitable for purpose’ by an official body. But it’s worth noting that it shouldn’t be just any accreditation (be warned- there are a lot of fake ones out there!). You need to make sure your TEFL course is accredited by a government affiliated body, such as Ofqual in the UK and DEAC in the USA. This way you know it’s a genuine accreditation, so the course has been properly checked, and that it will be recognised and accepted by employers worldwide.
2. Get qualified to Level 5
There are lots of different TEFL courses out there and most employers will advertise that they only require a minimum of 120hours at Level 3. So, do you really need to go for more hours and the more comprehensive qualification (e.g. a Level 5 Diploma)? Well, if you want to make your TEFL universal, and thus ensure you can obtain a TEFL role in any number of countries and can specialise in different areas of TEFL like Business English and Coaching IELTS (so you can earn the top wages), then the answer is YES! The more qualified you are, the more universally respected your TEFL qualification is, and the more likely you are to stand out from the TEFL crowd – so you’ll find it easier to land your dream TEFL job and start earning good money!
3. Make sure your course provider and tutors are experienced
Ever heard of the phrase ‘those who can’t do, teach’? (A horrible phrase that we SERIOUSLY disagree with, but it helps us prove a point…) Well that should NEVER apply to your TEFL course tutors or, indeed, those writing your course. To make your TEFL skills universal you need to be taught and mentored by the best. That’s the only way to ensure your TEFL knowledge is excellent, and that you’ll be able to apply it in a variety of settings around the world.
Your tutors, the people marking your assignments and talking you through any academic questions you might have, should be highly qualified and very experienced. That means they should have a Level 7 DELTA qualification in TEFL, as this is the highest possible level of TEFL education. It takes a LOT of time, money, and experience to obtain a DELTA (as it’s equivalent to a Master’s Degree), and who better to help tutor you through your TEFL course than someone that has shown serious dedication to TEFL and has loads of experience? No-one! If you have tutors with a lot of experience, that are highly TEFL educated, you will having a better understanding of TEFL and how to be the best teacher possible. And the better your TEFL skills are, the more popular you will be with your students and the more likely they are to recommend you to others!
The same concept applies to those writing your course. They should also have serious experience in the TEFL industry (i-to-i have over 27 years of experience!), to make sure the content of the course is up-to-date, useful, and that it will properly prepare you for life as a TEFL teacher!
4. Get qualified to teach both Online & Overseas
One of the best ways to make sure your TEFL is universal, is making sure you can use it anywhere, for any TEFL role! That means getting trained both in how to teach online and how to teach in a classroom overseas – as different skillsets, resources, and lesson plans are required for different settings. More comprehensive TEFL courses (like the Level 5 420hr Advanced Diploma) will make sure you’re ready for anything and, trust us, if you want to make sure your TEFL qualification opens doors for you and is able to see you through your whole TEFL career, whether that’s exploring far-flung, exotic destinations or teaching from home around your existing schedule, then this is the way to go!
