Qualification Structure

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is an Ofqual-regulated qualification accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). The qualification carries 40 credits, with 400 Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 168 Guided Learning Hours (GLH).

Assessment for the Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is assignment-based. Learner work is assessed in accordance with Qualifi assessment and quality assurance requirements to determine whether the required knowledge, understanding and application of English language teaching principles have been demonstrated.

To achieve the qualification, learners must successfully complete all 10 mandatory units.

Core Study Units

Unit 1: An Introduction to Lesson Planning

• Understand the structure of, and rationale for, a typical lesson plan.
• Understand common basic lesson structures, types of class and classroom interactions.
• Produce effective lesson plans for classes at different levels.

Unit 2: Teaching English Vocabulary

• Understand the terminology used to categorise vocabulary.
• Understand the meaning, form and pronunciation of a vocabulary item for teaching purposes.
• Use various vocabulary teaching and recycling techniques.

Unit 3: Teaching Pronunciation

• Understand the value of the phonetic symbols used to represent the sounds of spoken English.
• Understand how the sounds of English are formed.
• Understand how stress operates in English words and sentences.
• Understand the different aspects of pronunciation and how to teach them when presenting new language.

Unit 4: Understanding English Grammar

• Understand the grammatical categories of words in English and describe their functions.
• Understand clause and sentence structure.
• Understand the forms and various functions of verb tenses.

Unit 5: Teaching Receptive Skills: Listening and Reading

• Understand the reading process and typical stages of reading development.
• Understand different types of reading and listening skills.
• Implement different approaches to developing reading and listening skills.

Unit 6: Teaching Productive Skills: Speaking and Writing

• Understand the notion of functions in spoken English.
• Understand various teaching activities used to develop communication skills.
• Understand the purpose and characteristics of accuracy- and fluency-focused practice activities.
• Understand the nature of a process writing lesson and ways of correcting written work.

Unit 7: Teaching English Grammar

• Understand the advantages of presenting new grammatical structures inductively in meaningful contexts.
• Understand the usual learning order of grammatical structures in ESOL learners.
• Understand learner errors and their possible causes and common correction techniques.
• Understand the considerations involved in planning an effective grammar lesson using the Present-Practice-Produce (PPP) lesson procedure.

Unit 8: History of the English Language and English Language Teaching

• Understand the history of the English language.
• Understand the current role of English as a language in the world.
• Understand the history of TEFL and the main methods and approaches.

Unit 9: Teaching Materials and Aids and Classroom Management Strategies

• Understand the uses of various teaching aids and common activities in the EFL classroom.
• Understand the reasons for using authentic materials in language teaching.

Unit 10: The Effective Use of Resources for TEFL

• Understand how to use needs analyses to identify appropriate learning targets.
• Understand how to evaluate teaching materials and select appropriate methods and materials for learners.
• Understand how to integrate course book materials into a scheme of work.
• Understand the ways in which the internet can be exploited for language teaching in the classroom.

Who Is This Qualification For?

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is designed for individuals seeking structured, advanced-level knowledge and practical understanding of English language teaching. It is suitable for aspiring and developing EFL teachers working towards professional teaching roles in UK and international education settings.

This qualification is particularly relevant for:

• Aspiring TEFL teachers seeking a recognised Level 5 qualification in English language teaching.
• Existing English teachers looking to strengthen teaching methodology, lesson planning and classroom practice.
• EFL and ESOL teaching professionals seeking to develop knowledge of language systems, receptive and productive skills, and teaching techniques.
• English language tutors and private teachers who want to formalise and extend their teaching knowledge.
• Education professionals involved in language teaching, learning resources or classroom-based English instruction.
• Graduates and career changers seeking a structured qualification focused specifically on teaching English as a foreign language.
• International English teachers who require a UK-regulated qualification framework reference for their professional development.
• Teachers developing specialist teaching practice in areas such as vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, listening, reading, speaking and writing.
• Teaching professionals seeking progression through further study in English language teaching, education or related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution.

The qualification is especially suitable for a learner who wants to combine English language knowledge with teaching methodology and classroom application, rather than study English language purely as an academic subject.

Career Opportunities

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) provides learners with a structured foundation in English language teaching principles, methodology and classroom practice. The qualification develops knowledge of lesson planning, English vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, listening, reading, speaking, writing, classroom management and the effective use of teaching resources. It is suitable for learners in the UK and internationally seeking to develop their English language teaching knowledge and progress towards further study or professional development in TEFL, TESOL and related education pathways.

Future Progression

The Qualifi Level 5 Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) provides learners with a structured foundation for further academic study and teaching-related professional development. The qualification develops knowledge of English language systems, teaching methodology, lesson planning, classroom management, vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and receptive and productive language skills. This broad knowledge base can be relevant to English language teaching, tutoring, language education, and related learning environments.

Academically, learners may progress to further qualifications or higher-level study in areas such as TEFL, TESOL, English language teaching, education, applied linguistics, and related disciplines, subject to the entry requirements of the receiving institution. The qualification can also provide a foundation for continued professional development in English language teaching and education.

Professionally, this diploma can support progression towards roles such as TEFL Teacher, EFL Teacher, ESOL Tutor, English Language Tutor, Online English Teacher, Private English Tutor, Language School Teacher, English Language Instructor, and English Teaching Assistant, depending on the learner’s experience, additional requirements, teaching context, and employer expectations. The knowledge developed through the qualification provides a foundation for planning lessons, selecting teaching materials, managing classroom activities, teaching language systems, and developing learners’ listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills.