Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is one of the most accepted certificates worldwide. It is a popular course among aspiring and experienced language teachers that allows you to teach English to non-native speakers.
If you are interested in starting this course with Britannia School of Academics, we expect that you are either in practice or due to begin soon. This is because there is a practical requirement that needs to be met, i.e. Observations of your teaching sessions.
Observation of Teaching Practice
You are required to complete a minimum of 6 teaching hours to meet the practical requirement of the Level 5 TEFL course. This means that you will need to submit evidence of six teaching sessions to your tutor/ assessor who will fill out the observation forms and provide feedback on your teaching practices. Each observation should be at least 60 minutes long. Additional teaching observations would be required if it is shorter than 60 minutes, so it is best to plan each lesson for at least 60 minutes.
There are three ways in which this requirement could be met.
Pre-recorded Video Sessions
You provide us with a recording of 1 hour of your teaching. Learners should be visible and there be evidence of them engaging in sessions. The video recording can be shared with your tutor/assessor through the cloud, or other alternatives, like email, or link(s) could be pasted in the assignment file(s) and submitted via VLE.
To ensure privacy, position the camera to capture yourself rather than the learners. Clearly state that the recording is for teaching observation purposes, adhering to your organisation’s privacy policy.
Direct Observation of Live Teaching Sessions
If it is the recording that is the issue, then we are happy to watch you teaching live through a video link. Same as option 1, except that a video recording won’t be required, your assessor at Britannia School of Academics would watch your teaching session through a live link such as Zoom. Other alternatives can be agreed such as Google Class or Teams.
You can choose any medium and send us the invitation with the link. Just make sure to agree the date/time, so that your tutor is there at the arranged time.
Teaching Practice Observed by Approved Mentor
You find an experienced teacher at work who is willing to be your mentor. That mentor will observe your teaching for at least one hour each (just as in Option 1 and 2) and complete the observation forms. If you do choose this option, you will need to send us an up-to-date CV with the relevant teaching qualifications of your mentor, so that we can get this approved from our awarding organisation.
For Level 5 Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, the teaching qualification of your mentor would be at least at Level 5 or above, with occupational competence in English Language teaching.
Essential Information for TEFL Learners
Can I start this course if I am not currently teaching?
We frequently receive inquiries from experienced teachers who have either lost their jobs or are currently on furlough. If this applies to you, you are welcome to enrol in our TEFL course. However, it is important to note that the course requires practical teaching observations to be completed. While it is acceptable to experience delays in resuming teaching after starting the course, you will not be able to complete the course without fulfilling the practical teaching component.
To meet this requirement, you may secure opportunities through personal or professional networks or by locating organisations—such as non-profits, faith-based groups, or educational institutions—that offer EFL/ESL courses. These opportunities can be either paid positions or volunteer roles. The essential criterion is that the teaching hours must be completed with an organisation providing English language acquisition courses to non-native English speakers. This practical experience is a core component of the course and crucial for certification.
What is the logic behind the teaching observations?
Practical teaching experience with English language learners is a fundamental requirement of TEFL training. This hands-on component enables trainees to apply theoretical knowledge and methodologies in real classroom environments, refine pedagogical techniques, and build confidence in their teaching abilities. It also provides essential exposure to diverse learning styles and classroom dynamics, equipping trainees to adapt their teaching methods to a variety of educational contexts. This experience not only prepares trainees to manage classroom challenges effectively but also enhances their professional readiness and competitiveness in the job market.
Furthermore, as per the teaching standards, trainee teachers are expected to demonstrate professional knowledge, understanding, and teaching skills, achieving a performance level equivalent to a ‘good’ standard by the end of the course. Completion of the required teaching observations is mandatory, and the standards set by the awarding organisation cannot be altered. Exceptions to these requirements are not permitted under any circumstances.
What if I mostly teach learners on a 1‐2‐1 basis?
You are required to engage in at least 6 hours of live practice teaching or tutoring with actual EFL students. The whole idea of these teaching qualifications is for you to get the experience of mastering the art of teaching in various situations and roles. Therefore, it’s only fair that you experiment with teaching in groups too even though this is not a usual practice for you. Perhaps arrange a tailored session to discuss some language concepts, and make sure that at least two learners, or more preferably, are present when you do that.
You may also explore other ways to tailor your 1-2-1 session to be a group session so that the requirements of this course can be met. Your tutor will be more than happy to work with you to make it all happen.
What if only some of the learners in the classroom are non-native English speakers?
To meet the practical requirement, you must work in a real setting exclusively with non-native English speakers. If your classroom has just a few EFL learners, you would need to conduct teaching sessions only with the learners who are non-native speakers of English language.
Do I have to do all of my hours at the same location?
No – you can work with more than one organisation or student to fulfil the 6-hour teaching requirement.
Can I complete my teaching hours online, and how can I ensure my teaching practice meets the requirements?
Yes, you can teach EFL learners online as long as the sessions are live, exclusively with non-native speakers, and focus on English language teaching.
Note: Teaching other subjects, such as maths or science, does not meet the practical requirements.
Can a learner carry out all the observations in a single day?
No, observations must be spread out to allow time for feedback and improvement. It is recommended that you maintain flexibility in scheduling your teaching sessions, and should not be completed in a single day.
When should I start my observations?
When to get started with the observations is completely up to you! Once your TEFL course begins, you may work on your practical teaching hours whenever you feel ready. Most learners wait until the end of the course, but it’s a good idea to at least start securing your location/student(s) before then. We would recommend completing the teaching practice hours along with completing your assignments. This will help you with refining your teaching practices as well as your responses and reflections in the assignments.
Ready to start your journey as a TEFL teacher? Enrol today and take the first step towards a rewarding career teaching English to non-native speakers. If you have any questions or need assistance with the practical requirements, our expert tutors are here to help.
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