The NILE arm of INTO University Partnerships, which focuses on teacher training, is pivotal in the launch of a groundbreaking TEFL programme in partnership with English UK.
Named AccessTEFL, this initiative is set to carve out pathways for prospective English language teachers in the UK, incorporating in-job training within a comprehensive CPD scheme.
AccessTEFL is designed to serve as an entry point for individuals who have not yet acquired a TEFL certificate, providing them with TEFLi status and making them eligible under the criteria set by Accreditation UK for teaching roles.
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.
With its prestigious background in delivering professional development for English language teachers, having trained over 70,000 professionals from in excess of 90 countries since 1995, NILE is at the forefront of the sector.
The impetus for this initiative came from the periodic review by Accreditation UK, which recommended the adoption of an ‘apprentice teacher’ model due to its significant benefits.
Following this, English UK put forth an affordable qualification pathway aimed at enlarging the pool of qualified ELT teachers, making the profession more accessible, and enhancing the support system for entrants. Participants will be guided by NILE’s experienced teaching professionals, gaining essential skills relevant to the UK ELT context, with their employing schools providing the necessary mentoring and professional development.
Thom Kiddle, NILE’s Director, commented on the collaboration: “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 course involves 40 hours of theoretical study and 80 hours of practical teaching experience, during which participants will be mentored and will engage with other teaching professionals. The core subjects include The English Language, The English Language Learner, The English Language Classroom, and Reflective Practice.
Reflecting on the initiative, Jodie Gray, the Chief Executive of English UK, said: “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.”
