The World TEFL Accrediting Commission provided a form of accreditation for TEFL providers. In doing so they helped both students and providers.

For anyone looking to study a TEFL course the benefits of accreditation are clear. They provide them with additional information on which to make their decision and help them make sure their chosen provider is high quality and reputable. However, there were also real benefits for the provider and although the WTEFLAC is no longer around, accreditation remains an important tool for any provider.

The accreditation process

The WTEFLAC assessed all providers against its code of conduct. This covered the content of the courses, the qualifications of their staff, and their commitment to improving their offering for students. It would also review marketing material and make sure it was accurate and honest.

This framework formed the basis of the assessment process. The company would review marketing and promotional content, make sure it was accurate, and that the qualifications of the staff met their minimum standards. They would also look through the course content to make sure it offered all the knowledge needed, would be easy to follow and was regularly being improved. In some cases, their team would also travel on site to inspect the provider.

Assuming the provider met the standards of their code of conduct, they would be accredited. They could display the accreditation on their website and be listed as an accredited provider by the WTEFLAC.

The benefits of accreditation

With this in place, providers would benefit in the following ways:

• An official recognition of quality: This would be recognition of quality that would be trusted by customers.
• Marketing: They would be able to display the accreditation on websites and marketing literature.
• Self-improvement: The accreditation process was an opportunity for self-reflection and improvement which would help them further develop their offering and improve services.
• Consultative guidance: The accreditation process would also provide consultative guidance on all content and admin procedures.

Most of all this would provide them with a chance to differentiate themselves from other less reputable providers. The open market for TEFL courses meant students often couldnt see the wood for the trees. Reputable providers often found themselves lost amongst the crowd with no way of proving their worth.

In making their decision customers came to rely on accreditation marks. No matter how comprehensive your marketing material might be or how good your course is many people would simply not consider a provider without any accreditation mark.

The WTEFLAC is no longer active, but accreditation remains an important tool both for customers and providers. Its the only way to independently verify that any provider is capable of providing the high quality and professional service it claims on its website. In doing so, it also helps to drive up quality and standards across the sector.