The World TEFLAC closed its doors over the summer. Here’s everything you need to know about who the company was, who ran it and what it did.

The closure of the WTEFLAC brought to an end its work providing oversight of TEFL and TESOL providers. However, its logo can sometimes still be seen displayed on marketing literature. In this article we’ll explain a few key facts about the company, how it worked and what it did.

What did WTEFLAC stand for

WTEFLAC stood for the World TEFL Accrediting Commission. It was set up to provide accreditation services to TEFL and TESOL providers.

How did it work?

The company set out criteria detailing key standards a reputable course provider should be able to meet – namely that the courses were well designed and professionally run; staff were qualified and experienced; pricing was transparent and marketing material accurately reflected the content of courses. They would assess each provider and measure them against each part of the criteria to determine whether they offered customers a professional and valuable service.  

What was the accreditation process?

The WTEFLAC developed a process of assessment and evaluation. Course providers would start by filling out an application with details about the company, its plans for the future, and how it structured each course.

The WTEFLAC would look at the contents of each course and assess the qualifications and experience of their staff. They would assess each part of the offering and decide whether they felt this company met minimum standards.

In some cases, they may have requested a site meeting to gather further information about the company. This would be an opportunity to see the company in action, understand how it worked, and ensure the literature accurately reflected the actual experience students would have. 

What did WTEFLAC accreditation mean?

If a company had been assessed and found to meet the standards set out in the code of conduct, they would then be able to display the WTEFLAC logo on their websites and other marketing materials. This was a badge of honour that offered independent verification that students could expect a professional service from a legitimate provider.

Who did the WTEFLAC help?

First and foremost the WTEFLAC was designed to help students or those looking for a TEFL provider. Having the accreditation mark provided independent validation of a company’s claim. It removed much of the guesswork and provided reassurance to all potential students.

At the same time, it also helped the companies themselves. Having this in place helped to differentiate them from unscrupulous providers who could not back up the claims in their marketing literature.

What does the future hold?

The WTEFLAC has now closed its doors which means it no longer accepts applications from providers seeking to be accredited. However, the companies it reviewed are still operating and continue to offer a high-quality service.

The WTEFLAC’s work helped set standards and lay the foundations for an improved and more reliable TEFL and TESOL sector for everyone.