The NILE division of INTO University Partnerships, focused on teacher training, is spearheading the launch of a novel TEFL credential alongside English UK.
AccessTEFL, the newly introduced programme, is designed to facilitate entry into the English language teaching profession in the UK through a comprehensive CPD scheme coupled with practical training.
Tailored for individuals lacking a TEFL certificate, AccessTEFL will endow them with TEFLi status, making them eligible for teaching positions as per the standards of Accreditation UK.
The scheme will be run by English UK, with day-to-day support, oversight and moderation from teacher training specialists from NILE – Norwich Institute for Language Education, part of the INTO University Partnerships group.
NILE, with its rich history of training over 70,000 teachers from more than 90 countries since its inception in 1995, is esteemed for its professional development courses in English language teaching.
The initiative was born out of Accreditation UK’s regular review process, which advocated for the benefits of an apprenticeship model in teacher training.
Consequently, English UK introduced an affordable, in-service qualification route to augment the pool of qualified ELT teachers, enhance the industry’s accessibility, and improve the support for new teachers. Under the guidance of NILE’s expert educators, candidates will develop essential skills pertinent to the UK ELT context, with their schools providing necessary mentorship and professional development.
Thom Kiddle, the Director of NILE, expressed excitement about the project: “We are excited to be working on a new project with the team at English UK – developing and managing a situated and supported CPD scheme, AccessTEFL, for new teachers joining English UK schools.”
“The scheme, to be launched later this year, will ensure new entrants to the profession are supported with structured, focused development activities, observation and feedback while they learn their craft and help accredited English UK members recruit teachers in combination with the traditional TEFLi routes.”
The AccessTEFL scheme requires candidates to complete 40 hours of academic studies and 80 hours of teaching, with mentorship and the opportunity to observe and work alongside experienced teachers. The curriculum includes topics like The English Language, The English Language Learner, The English Language Classroom, and Reflective Practice.
Jodie Gray, the Chief Executive of English UK, remarked on the launch: “We are delighted to launch ATEFL after many months planning. Many ELT centres have been struggling to hire enough qualified teachers to meet increasing student demand, and that could impede the continuing growth of UK ELT.”
“We believe ATEFL is a great way for centres to grow and develop their own staff, supporting people who are keen to teach English in the UK but who do not have a conventional TEFLi qualification. This is an affordable and accessible way for centres to train high-quality staff as part of their staff CPD, and we hope that as many as possible will be able to take advantage of it.”
