Before paying, find out who awards the certificate, look the course up on that body's own register, check what is assessed and ask your target employer in writing whether it accepts the course. Logos, ratings and 'accredited' badges on a provider's own site do not replace those checks.
The checklist
- Who awards the certificate? The provider itself, or an awarding body such as Cambridge, Trinity or another regulated organisation. Ask for the name.
- Is it on the register? Search the exact course title and qualification number on the awarding body's or regulator's own site. Check provider, level, status and type.
- What does 'accredited' mean here? Regulation and accreditation are different things. Ask which body accredited the course, what it checked and whether it covers this exact course.
- How many hours, and how are they counted? Guided learning hours with a tutor are not the same as self-study time.
- Is there assessed teaching practice with real learners? If so, how many hours and who observes?
- Who marks your work? A named tutor with a qualification, not an automated quiz.
- Does your target employer accept it? Ask them directly and keep their reply.
- What is the total price and the refund policy? See the cost guide.
- What do former students say? Look for independent reviews and be wary of ones that read like marketing.
- Can you speak to a person? A provider that avoids questions before payment will avoid them afterwards.
What Irish regulation does and does not cover
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has published award standards for English language teacher training. A provider that wants QQI to validate a teacher training programme must first have its quality assurance approved, then apply for programme validation. QQI's older ACELS scheme, which recognised English language schools, stopped accepting new applications in 2015. If a provider says it is approved or recognised in Ireland, ask by whom, for which programme and when.
For UK-regulated qualifications, the Ofqual register lists regulated qualifications and the organisations that award them. It is the place to check claims of Ofqual regulation. These checks apply to every provider, including those we link to.
Warning signs
- A certificate described as accepted worldwide.
- Pressure tactics, countdown timers and discounts that expire in hours.
- No named tutors, no sample materials and no way to contact the awarding body.
- Claims of ranking or awards with no source.
More warning signs, including job-placement fees and recruiters, are in TEFL scams and red flags.
Questions to put to a provider
Send these in an email so you have a written reply. Which body awards the certificate, and what is the qualification number? How many hours are guided by a tutor? How many hours of assessed teaching practice are included, with real learners? How soon after submission do I get feedback? What support do I get with job applications, and is that included in the price? What is the refund policy, and when does the 14-day cancellation period start? What happens if I do not complete the course in time?
A confident provider will answer plainly. Vague replies, redirection to a sales call or insistence on an immediate decision are reasons to keep looking.
Your rights if it goes wrong
The CCPC says you can cancel an online service within 14 days of agreeing the contract by telling the business in writing, though you may pay for any part already used. If the business did not tell you about your right to cancel, the period extends to 12 months. Keep the course page, price and promises as screenshots at the time of purchase.
Reading reviews with care
Independent review sites can help, but read them critically. Look for reviews that mention specific tutors, feedback times or job outcomes, and for how the provider responds to complaints. A set of reviews posted on the same day with similar wording is a weak signal. Ask the provider if you can speak to a former student, and ask the employer you want to work for if graduates of that provider have been hired. A short conversation is worth more than a star rating.
Put the same questions to each, record the answers and compare. Use TEFL vs CELTA if you are weighing a regulated qualification against a generic one.
Thinking about a TEFL qualification? See course options from an Irish-based provider.
Compare TEFL coursesThis is an affiliate link. See our affiliate disclosure.Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between regulated and accredited?
Regulation means oversight within a regulated framework, such as Ofqual. Accreditation depends on the accrediting body, so ask who accredited the course and what they checked.
Where do I check if a TEFL course is regulated?
On the regulator's or awarding body's own register, using the exact course title or qualification number, not a link from the provider.
Is a cheap TEFL course always poor value?
No. It is poor value if it lacks the hours, assessment or teaching practice your target employer asks for.