English Language Teacher Qualifications:


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Initial and Preparatory ELE Qualifications:
Recognised Qualifications,

Initial ELE qualifications refer to any initial, generally pre-service, TEFL / TESOL / ELE (or other) qualification which awards the successful trainee with a certificate (or equivalent) enfranchising the trainee to engage in English language teaching.

The requirements for teaching English in the recognised English language teaching sector state that a teacher is required to hold an NFQ level 7 (ordinary bachelor degree or equivalent) and a recognised ELE qualification. The following are the qualifications recognised by ACELS:

  • CELT
  • CELTA
  • Trinity TESOL
  • NUI ELE Certificate
  • QQI Certificate in Teaching English as a Second or Other Language (TESOL) - NFQ level 7 (Special Purpose Award)

The ACELS regulations for organisations applying for recognition for the teaching of English language to foreign students (please see Regulations , ) require all teacher trainees to undertake ACELS recognised ELE certificate courses*

Please note that if you hold a qualification from outside Ireland and would like to check the NFQ level of your academic qualification you should log on to www.NARIC.ie

In order to ensure that your ELT qualification meets the standard for teaching in the recognised ELE sector in Ireland, please check this against the .


ACELS Certificates

Since January 1st 2005, there have been two ACELS certificates for initial ELE qualifications offered by recognised course providers in Ireland.
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CELT: Certificate in English Language Teaching (CELT): All successful trainees who are awarded this certificate are eligible to work in all Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science recognised English language (ELE) schools in Ireland.
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Preparatory ELE Qualification: Certificate for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language to Secondary Level Students (awarded to State Qualified Teachers). This course is open to state-qualified teachers (and those in their final year of training). All successful trainees who are awarded this certificate are eligible to work in the Junior ELE sector in all ACELS recognised schools in Ireland.


IMPORTANT FOR TRAINEES


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(posted 06/07/07): CELT replaces the Initial TEFL Certificate of September 1st, 2007. This change constitutes an upgrading of the certificate course,
the main difference being:




minimum of
120 hours input


a minimum of 360 minutes
(6 hours) teaching practice

Legacy Qualifications

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All holders of the ACELS Initial TEFL Certificate (gained between Jan 1st 2005 and Sept. 1st 2007 remain enfranchised for
employment in the ACELS recognised English language teaching sector in Ireland as well as elsewhere.