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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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 Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2014 5:08 pm Post subject: TESOL Int'l Assoc. announces cert accreditation initiative |
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TESOL International begins accreditation initiative
20 March 2014
Source: www.tesol.org/news-landing-page/2014/03/20/tesol-begins-accreditation-initiative
(News bulletin has been edited to include faqs on the initiative.)
Note: Based on context, "TESOL" may refer to the organization Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, or to Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
TESOL International Association ("TESOL") announces a two-pronged accreditation initiative around short-term, teacher training certificate programs.
In January 2014, the TESOL International Association Board of Directors has authorized a year-long accreditation initiative focused on short-term programs that provide certificates in teaching ESL/EFL. The initiative comprises two components: 1) market research to learn more about this sector of the field, including the feasibility of an accreditation program; and 2) the creation of program standards for short-term certificate programs.
For several years, TESOL International Association has fielded requests to evaluate and recognize short-term certificate programs. TESOL does not have a set of standards for short-term training programs or any way to rate or approve their quality, but many individuals seeking short-term training as well as other stakeholders assume that TESOL does or should play a role. In addition, the association continues to receive requests for recommendations from those looking to enroll in such programs as they enter the TESOL field.
The programs targeted are those that typically run 6–10 weeks and that award participants who have completed the program a TESOL, TEFL, or TESL certificate. The programs train teachers to teach adults in all contexts, or they train teachers to teach children (“young learners”) in EFL contexts.
The market research is being conducted by a reputable market research firm and will assess demand and pricing tolerances to support the development and sustainability of an accreditation program. Research will identify short-term certificate programs worldwide and assess program director interest, prospective employer interest, and interest and importance to students who might seek a short–term certificate program.
The standards will be developed by an advisory group working closely with TESOL staff and a writer to develop the standards. This Accreditation Expert Group (AEG) will comprise individuals with knowledge of and expertise in short-term TESOL certificate programs. They will help conceptualize the standards framework, including the program elements, domains, and indicators to be addressed by the standards. So that the AEG can focus its work on the conceptual elements and the content of the standards, a project writer will be employed to transcribe the information developed by the AEG into a set of standards. The standards are scheduled to be completed by February 2015.
There are a broad variety of TESOL, TEFL, and TESL programs in the field. Some are short- term certificate programs, others are master’s degree programs, and still others are teacher preparation programs, such as those for initial licensure in the United States. Although TESOL International Association works with the Commission for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) in the United States to recognize initial licensure programs for P–12 teachers, it does not evaluate or accredit any other kinds of programs, and it does not have any authority over them.
A number of entities worldwide provide various types of accreditation or other credentialing services for short-term training programs, including CEA and the British Council. Currently, however, there is no one globally-recognized set of standards or single arbiter of quality for short-term teacher education programs.
The Board will review the market research to inform TESOL’s potential development of an accreditation program for unaffiliated short-term programs. What will be involved in the accreditation program? When will it roll out? Details of how an accreditation program would be structured and administered have not been determined yet, pending the results of the market research. TESOL would do additional consultation before creating a legally separate accreditation commission or body, so as to create an appropriate and required fire wall between the review and accreditation program and TESOL International Association.
(End of news bulletin)
Last edited by nomad soul on Sun May 04, 2014 7:31 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 6:19 am Post subject: |
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| This story wasn't picked up by Pravda, so it can't be of world revolutionary importance : ) |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 6:26 am Post subject: |
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| This is more relevant to the states, right? In the U.K. the CELTA or CertTESOL is pretty much seen as the standard. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:01 am Post subject: |
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| Shroob wrote: |
| This is more relevant to the states, right? |
No, the goal is to come up with one accreditation program that will be globally recognized. Specifically, from the article:
| Quote: |
The market research is being conducted by a reputable market research firm and will assess demand and pricing tolerances to support the development and sustainability of an accreditation program. Research will identify short-term certificate programs worldwide and assess program director interest, prospective employer interest, and interest and importance to students who might seek a short–term certificate program.
. . . .
A number of entities worldwide provide various types of accreditation or other credentialing services for short-term training programs, including CEA and the British Council. Currently, however, there is no one globally-recognized set of standards or single arbiter of quality for short-term teacher education programs. |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:02 am Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Shroob wrote: |
| This is more relevant to the states, right? |
No, the goal is to come up with one accreditation program that will be globally recognized. Specifically, from the article:
| Quote: |
The market research is being conducted by a reputable market research firm and will assess demand and pricing tolerances to support the development and sustainability of an accreditation program. Research will identify short-term certificate programs worldwide and assess program director interest, prospective employer interest, and interest and importance to students who might seek a short–term certificate program.
. . . .
A number of entities worldwide provide various types of accreditation or other credentialing services for short-term training programs, including CEA and the British Council. Currently, however, there is no one globally-recognized set of standards or single arbiter of quality for short-term teacher education programs. |
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I'd have thought the CELTA was pretty much globally recognised. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:04 am Post subject: |
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| The world just needs to recognise the British Soviet's primacy in setting standards then... |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:34 am Post subject: |
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| Shroob wrote: |
| I'd have thought the CELTA was pretty much globally recognised. |
It is. However, being "recognized" versus being "accredited" are two different concepts. This isn't about any one particular cert course being recognized the world over; it's in reference to international accreditation---by one accrediting body---for short-term, TEFL training programs offered worldwide.
Consider the following: Tongue Foo's Language School in China offers a TEFL cert course that's similar in content, structure, and delivery to CELTA, SIT TESOL, and Trinity CertTESOL. However, Tongue Foo's course isn't widely known outside of China. Having accreditation by an international and reputable accrediting body would not only boost TF's status but also ensure their course curriculum stays consistent. Moreover, Bob, who holds a Tongue Foo TEFL cert, can feel confident that potential employers in Qatar, for example, won't raise an eyebrow when they see his TEFL cert listed on his CV because he's indicated that it's accredited by a reputable, international accrediting body.
Disclaimer: All characters and language schools appearing in this post are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, or to real schools, is purely coincidental.  |
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damn_my_eyes
Joined: 13 Jul 2013
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Aren't CELTA and Trinity TESOL accredited qualifications?
The British Council is accredited by the Department of Education in the UK and my CELTA certificate has an accreditation number on it. |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 9:46 am Post subject: |
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| damn_my_eyes wrote: |
Aren't CELTA and Trinity TESOL accredited qualifications?
The British Council is accredited by the Department of Education in the UK and my CELTA certificate has an accreditation number on it. |
Yeah, it's accredited but I think what this is proposing is one body that oversees EVERY TEFL cert. So from CELTA and CertTESOL, to the ones universities run in-house, to online (?) certs.
I've no idea if it will work, I can't see Cambridge or Trinity having others 'muscling in' on their established turf. Equally, it threatens the value of some certs and boosts others. If a 3 week course that costs £100 is accredited and accepted by this new organisation the same way as a CELTA (4 week course and >£1,250)...it makes people question the decision to take the CELTA. |
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Sashadroogie
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Posts: 11061
Location: Moskva, The Workers' Paradise
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 10:07 am Post subject: |
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Won't work. No chance.
Bow to the Britanski Soviet!! |
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damn_my_eyes
Joined: 13 Jul 2013
Posts: 225
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 10:13 am Post subject: |
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I see what you mean. One organization acting as the governing body as to whether a course anywhere on the planet is accredited or not sounds quite a challenge on many levels.
Instead of focusing on the courses, an international regulation of all the shoddy language mills and private colleges would be better. Force some of the worst ones out of business. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 7:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Shroob wrote: |
I think what this is proposing is one body that oversees EVERY TEFL cert. So from CELTA and CertTESOL, to the ones universities run in-house, to online (?) certs.
I've no idea if it will work, I can't see Cambridge or Trinity having others 'muscling in' on their established turf. Equally, it threatens the value of some certs and boosts others. If a 3 week course that costs £100 is accredited and accepted by this new organisation the same way as a CELTA (4 week course and >£1,250)...it makes people question the decision to take the CELTA. |
| damn_my_eyes wrote: |
| I see what you mean. One organization acting as the governing body as to whether a course anywhere on the planet is accredited or not sounds quite a challenge on many levels. |
Apparently there's some misunderstanding as to what accreditation actually is. In a nutshell, accreditation is a process whereby highly-qualified experts in a particular field (TESOL for this scenario) determine and establish common standards based on specific criteria within the industry (e.g., curriculum, course content, trainers' qualifications, number of trainees per class, facility services, training materials, course length, etc.), and subsequently, choose to regulate themselves based on those set standards. That is, the process involves in-depth peer review to assure the quality of the program/course is in accord with the standards.
Keep in mind that any program or course provider seeking accreditation, does so voluntarily; it's not forced upon them nor is the goal that every single TEFL cert course/program in the world become accredited. That's not realistic. Additionally, there's no "muscling in" on anyone's turf nor does accreditation entail checking up on or policing programs anywhere on the planet to confirm they're accredited. By the way, competition is good for the consumer because it drives down the prices as well as perpetuates improvements. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the advisory group will use the CELTA and similar branded certs as the basis or starting point in ascertaining some of the criteria; they're not required to do so. But at this time, the study for this initiative has barely started. |
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Shroob
Joined: 02 Aug 2010
Posts: 1339
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| Shroob wrote: |
I think what this is proposing is one body that oversees EVERY TEFL cert. So from CELTA and CertTESOL, to the ones universities run in-house, to online (?) certs.
I've no idea if it will work, I can't see Cambridge or Trinity having others 'muscling in' on their established turf. Equally, it threatens the value of some certs and boosts others. If a 3 week course that costs £100 is accredited and accepted by this new organisation the same way as a CELTA (4 week course and >£1,250)...it makes people question the decision to take the CELTA. |
| damn_my_eyes wrote: |
| I see what you mean. One organization acting as the governing body as to whether a course anywhere on the planet is accredited or not sounds quite a challenge on many levels. |
Apparently there's some misunderstanding as to what accreditation actually is. In a nutshell, accreditation is a process whereby highly-qualified experts in a particular field (TESOL for this scenario) determine and establish common standards based on specific criteria within the industry (e.g., curriculum, course content, trainers' qualifications, number of trainees per class, facility services, training materials, course length, etc.), and subsequently, choose to regulate themselves based on those set standards. That is, the process involves in-depth peer review to assure the quality of the program/course is in accord with the standards.
Keep in mind that any program or course provider seeking accreditation, does so voluntarily; it's not forced upon them nor is the goal that every single TEFL cert course/program in the world become accredited. That's not realistic. Additionally, there's no "muscling in" on anyone's turf nor does accreditation entail checking up on or policing programs anywhere on the planet to confirm they're accredited. By the way, competition is good for the consumer because it drives down the prices as well as perpetuates improvements. However, it remains to be seen whether or not the advisory group will use the CELTA and similar branded certs as the basis or starting point in ascertaining some of the criteria; they're not required to do so. But at this time, the study for this initiative has barely started. |
I understand what accreditation means, but I still don't see someone like Cambridge (CELTA) taking kindly to this sort of thing. As things stand, the CELTA is THE measure for entry level certs. To have another body saying 'this cert is worthwhile' would surely take business.
I'm not saying choice isn't good, just I don't see it happening. |
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HLJHLJ
Joined: 06 Oct 2009
Posts: 1218
Location: Ecuador
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| Posted: Sat May 03, 2014 8:29 pm Post subject: |
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| nomad soul wrote: |
| In a nutshell, accreditation is a process whereby highly-qualified experts in a particular field (TESOL for this scenario) determine and establish common standards based on specific criteria within the industry (e.g., curriculum, course content, trainers' qualifications, number of trainees per class, facility services, training materials, course length, etc.), and subsequently, choose to regulate themselves based on those set standards. That is, the process involves in-depth peer review to assure the quality of the program/course is in accord with the standards. |
That's a very optimistic view of accreditation. More often than not it's just a money making scheme with some half-hearted administrative paperwork to justify the process. It's too early to say whether this one will be a genuine measure of standards.
I do think it's an interesting idea though, and it could certainly breathe some life and competition into the market, but I'm dubious about its chances of success. It's unlikely they will get backing from any of the big names, because if it's successful they stand to lose market share, but what would they gain?
Without that they will have to throw a huge amount of money at it to give it the exposure it would need. Where would that money come from? They would either need to charge massive fees (why would independents pay them instead of just paying to affiliate with one of the big names?) have a massive initial sign up across most of the world to raise their profile, or have alternative revenue streams from it, which would immediately reduce its credibility. |
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nomad soul
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
Posts: 11454
Location: The real world
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| Posted: Sun May 04, 2014 12:47 am Post subject: |
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| HLJHLJ wrote: |
| That's a very optimistic view of accreditation. More often than not it's just a money making scheme with some half-hearted administrative paperwork to justify the process. It's too early to say whether this one will be a genuine measure of standards. |
Nothing idealistic about it; that's just a straight-up explanation of what accreditation entails for just about any course or program in whatever field or educational institution. I've also experienced the site review portion of the CEA's accreditation process for a language center and found it quite involved. However, I agree that the TEFL cert business seems to be a free-for-all representing the good, bad, and downright ugly. Moreover, accreditation in this industry is a hit-n-miss with some of the most lackluster TEFL cert courses claiming to hold (dubious) accreditation for the sole purpose of luring in more "customers."
I'm keeping an open mind because I'm very familiar with TESOL International Association (not to be confused with the TEFL training centers of the same name), having consistently been a member since 2007 as well as with their affiliates TESOL Arabia and my local/state branch. TESOL Int'l has its own heavy hitters and aren't taking this endeavor lightly, especially since they have thousands of members worldwide to answer to. Anyway, I applaud their interest in addressing the possibility of one international accrediting body and look forward to following up on their initiative next year. |
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