Purpose of the Standards
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A short video explaining the Open-Access TEFL Standards.
Core Open Access Principles
Open Access TEFL training is built on four key principles:
Accessibility
Teacher training should be available to individuals who wish to explore the profession without facing significant upfront financial barriers.
Transparency
Course structure, certification options, and pricing should be clearly explained so students understand exactly what is being offered.
Responsible Training
Courses should prioritise genuine teacher development rather than relying on exaggerated marketing claims.
Student Choice
Students should be able to complete the training before deciding whether to obtain a certificate
Minimum Training Requirements
To meet Open Access TEFL standards, training programmes should meet recognised industry expectations.
These include:
• A minimum training volume equivalent to 120 hours of TEFL study
• A structured course covering essential areas of TEFL methodology
• Learning materials designed to support practical teacher development
• Opportunities for self-reflection and practical teaching tasks
Accreditation
Open Access TEFL providers should hold verifiable accreditation from a recognised accrediting body.
Accreditation helps ensure that training programmes are subject to external quality review and maintain professional standards.
Recognised Open Access Providers
Training providers that follow the Open Access TEFL framework and meet these standards may be recognised as Open Access TEFL providers.
These providers support the initiative’s goal of making teacher training more accessible while maintaining professional credibility.
Open-Access TEFL
Open Access TEFL is more than a description of free TEFL courses. It is a framework and standards initiative that promotes responsible and accessible teacher training.