The Most Affordable Level 5 TEFL Qualifications for 2021
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Looking for an affordable way to get TEFL certified? Then look no further. Choosing a TEFL course can be tricky, especially with so many options available. You might be wondering which is best for your budget, your schedule, and your needs. Luckily, we’ve done the work for you. So here’s a quick insight on some of the most affordable Level 5 TEFL qualifications for 2021.

Level 5 TEFL qualifications are the cream of the crop of TEFL courses. They are usually the most recognized and widely accepted TEFL certifications in the business. So employers will always look favorably upon someone who has a Level 5 TEFL course under their belt ahead of someone who has a lower level qualification. They do tend to be a little more expensive than the standard certification. But they are more worthwhile than you can ever imagine.

Unfortunately, the TEFL industry is notoriously well-known for its lack of regulation. This makes looking for a quality course even more challenging for the aspiring teacher. Scam companies taking advantage and cheap courses galore have led to a lack of trust from potential buyers. So it’s very normal for people to be skeptical when they are looking for a TEFL course. 

Potential TEFL teachers need to find a legitimate course that is going to be worth the money they pay and the time they invest. So, instead of continuing your never-ending google search, let’s look at your options for getting TEFL qualified with a reputable company that’s not going to rip you off. 

CELTA

You have probably stumbled across the term CELTA when searching for a high-quality TEFL course and wondered what exactly it is. A CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) qualification is one of the top courses you can study for. It is accredited and internationally recognized as one of the top tier teaching certifications. Not only this, it is the industry gold standard course and an example of one of the most highly sought after certifications.

A CELTA course is one in which a teacher must complete 120-hours of study alongside 6 hours of observed teaching practice with real students. This type, of course, can be completed in as little as 4-weeks of full-time attendance. But on a part-time basis, it usually needs to be completed within three months. It focuses on developing practical teaching skills with in-person teaching practice. So this will help you to develop the techniques and confidence to start teaching as soon as you complete the course. 

The CELTA qualification is perfect for new teachers at the beginning of their teaching career. It is also suitable for teachers with some experience who want to develop their skills. And lastly, it is useful for teachers who want to travel and teach English but most importantly, it is accessible for both native and non-native speakers of English.

However, this type of qualification tends to focus more on adult learners. And at the moment, most students learning English across the world are younger. This means that this type of certification may not necessarily prepare you for teaching young students. And the time commitment and price of CELTA courses often puts people off. However, there is some funding available for eligible individuals that can help reduce the costs of the course. 

Trinity CertTESOL

Alternatively, another option would be the Trinity CertTESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) course. This is also internationally recognized as one of the best qualifications for ESL teachers. This intensive 4-week course includes a minimum of 130 hours of study, but it can also be completed part-time or through blended learning. 

The Trinity CertTESOL certificate is designed for those with little to no experience of teaching English. It also equips new teachers with the basic skills and knowledge needed to take up their first teaching job. Not only this, it gives an introduction to the theory and practice of teaching English alongside the role of teachers and challenges facing the learner. So if you are just getting started in your teaching journey, then it’s worth checking this out.

The Trinity CertTESOL is another qualification that is not limited to native speakers. Anyone at C1 level or above can take this course, making it accessible for non-native speakers. It is, however, more geared towards adult students, so it may not fully prepare you for teaching students of all ages. 

Premier TEFL 168-hour Level 5 TEFL Course

Premier TEFL’s 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course is probably the most affordable Level 5 TEFL courses. However, this doesn’t mean that it lacks quality. It is on par with the other courses and will help prepare you for TEFL work abroad and online. Effectively, it is the equivalent of a CELTA, Trinity CertTESOL, and any other Level 5 qualification.

With 168 hours of quality study, this Level 5 TEFL course can be finished in a few weeks. Yet, there is a lot more flexibility because you are usually allowed up to six months to complete it. But the main benefit is that it is cheaper than most and it can be completed fully online.  And if that’s not one of the most flexible courses out there, then good luck finding a better one!

It does require a significant amount of work though. But it can certainly open up many teaching doors for you. Not only this, it will help you to develop the skills required to teach learners of all ages and can help prepare you for teaching English online. And because there has been a huge shift in 2020 with the way online learning has changed, we have discovered that online learning can be just as effective as the typical brick and mortar classroom. This means that you can set yourself up for a tonne of opportunities, both at home and abroad. 

Studying for this kind of TEFL qualification will allow you to develop all the key skills needed to become a great English Teacher. But it is not just something you can blaze through in a day or two, like the other unrecognized courses. It takes a significant investment of time and effort, but it is one that is worth the challenge.

International TEFL Academy

Next up is International TEFL Academy’s 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course. This TEFL course is one of the only courses across the world that has received official recognition from government-regulated awarding bodies in both the UK and the USA. This makes it a great choice for teachers who want to be guaranteed quality. 

Because this is fully online-only, it makes it one of the most flexible Level 5 courses out there. Not only this, it is one of the cheaper study options. You can study in your own time with the support of a dedicated tutor team. It is designed to cover every aspect of teaching English. So this isn’t just standing in a classroom and talking. It also includes things like lesson planning and applying for jobs abroad and online. Overall, it’s a pretty good all-rounder!

The International TEFL Academy is also one of the best providers across the TEFL industry. This makes this course a good choice for anyone just starting in the TEFL world. They also have some of the most reasonable and competitive prices across the TEFL industry, making it one of the most affordable Level 5 TEFL courses. This shows that they are a solid choice for potential teachers when they are trying to make a decision on which TEFL course to choose.

Notting Hill College

The 168-hour Level 5 TEFL course from Notting Hill College is another good option for aspiring English teachers. It helps people develop the skills and theory needed to become the best possible English teacher. This course also helps with lesson planning and classroom management, as well as the most important part – teaching English effectively. 

Like the other Level 5 courses, Notting Hill College is a quality course for the fraction of the price of a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. Flexibility is also at the heart of their online courses, affording you the ability to learn when and where is suitable for you. Flexibility is also one of the most important elements of teaching English nowadays. So if this is what you are looking for, then Notting Hill College is a perfect fit.

Not only this, they want to ensure that you make back the entirety of your program cost within a month of teaching English. If this isn’t impressive, what is? This sounds like a pretty confident move from Notting Hill College, so they may have one of the best and most affordable Level 5 TEFL courses on the market.

Luckily for you, all of these qualifications are regulated by Ofqual (The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) according to their qualifications framework. This framework has 9 qualification levels – so, the higher the level, the higher the difficulty. All of these TEFL courses sit on the qualifications framework at a Level 5, making them each other’s equivalent. 

What is the Best Level 5 TEFL course?

When deciding which course is right for you, you must assess your situation. The most important factor to consider is your budget. After this, you must decide whether you want to study online or in-person and what students you would like to teach in the future.

CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL qualifications are often geared towards adults. Some people also assume that because CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL qualifications are of better quality because they cost more. This isn’t always the case. It often depends on the job that you want to have in the future. So before you make a decision on which TEFL course to take, think about who you want to teach. If you want to teach adults, consider studying for a CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL. If you want to teach young learners, maybe a Level 5 TEFL is for you.

A Level 5 TEFL qualification is a good course that will allow you to teach children and adults. Not only this, it will prepare you for both online teaching and teaching abroad. It is also usually a cheaper and more flexible option for teachers. This makes it great if you are taking your first steps in the TEFL world. In this case, Premier TEFL, the International TEFL Academy, and Notting Hill College courses would be ideal.

The options for getting an affordable Level 5 TEFL certification are plenty, too many some may say. Ultimately though, it comes down to you to choose the course that matches your needs. If you need some help learning about more TEFL, find out the answers to your most googled questions!