What are the “International Standards” for
TEFL Certification Programs?

A more detailed version of this webpage
can be found at:
TEFL Certification Standards

You might as well know, right up front, that there is NOT one organization or one standard in the world for TEFL programs. 

So . . . when TEFL programs say they are "Internationally Recognized" - what does that really mean?  Generally, it means they belong to an organization or two, often just a paid membership.  Other than that - don't read too much into it.

The Important Part

Employers requiring TEFL certification are generally looking for a fairly standardized requirement: a minimum of 100 hours of classroom time and at least six hours of observed teaching practice (OTP). 

The OTP must be with real students, not other teacher-trainees, not as demonstration lessons in the classroom, and must be observed by a teacher who will give you detailed feedback after each lesson.

Observed teaching practice is a critical part of the training and assures that you will have some confidence the first time you are on your own in front of a classroom.

 Is there one set international agency that has set this standard? 

No, it just seems to be what is considered the minimum acceptable training for good basic EFL teaching skills.

What types of TEFL Certificates are out there?

There are really only two types of programs out there that tend to meet the standards mentioned earlier on this page. 

One is a TEFL Certification or “TEFL Cert” - more of a generic term as “Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certification”, and the other is the CELTA, the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults.