Promoting Excellence in TESOL Distance Education Courses



The ACTDEC Symbol of quality
The Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses is a non-profit making independent body governed by officers and Council, established to advance professionalism by maintaining and also improving on standards of distance programmes at four levels graded from introductory to advanced. Institutions providing accredited courses are required to adhere to a rigorous code of practice governing areas ranging from publicity to course structure and content, administration, course evaluation and quality assurance. ACTDEC accredited courses are regularly audited to ensure that quality expectations are being met. A copy of the Code of Practice is available by writing to ACTDEC or can be viewed on this web site.

ACTDEC was founded in 1994 by a small group of TESOL distance education providers concerned by the considerable number of organisations offering dubious TEFL/TESOL distance learning courses. ACTDECs first Chair, and one of its driving forces, was Dr W. R. Lee, founder of IATEFL, who was also responsible for its Code of Practice and accreditation procedures. The courses and qualification levels framework was originally proposed by Monica Vincent of the Overseas Development Authority. The status titles she suggested were subsequently adopted by ACTDEC. The framework is shown below.

Any reputable TESOL distance learning provider can apply to become an applicant member of ACTDEC. They are then given 12 months in which to apply for formal accreditation. The accreditation panel is completely independent but works to an approved set of syllabus specifications and requirements originally drawn up by Dr Lee and agreed by accredited member institutions.


Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses
Qualification and Levels Framework

70-hour Introductory Distance-training Courses leading to the
Preliminary Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL
and the qualification Pre-Cert.(ES)TESOL TESOL Assistant
Course accredited by ACTDEC
Certificate awarded by accredited member institution
and validated by ACTDEC
120-150 hour Distance-training Courses leading to the
Certificate of Educational Studies in TESOL
and the qualification Cert.(ES)TESOL Associate Teacher of ESOL
Course accredited by ACTDEC
Certificate awarded by accredited member institution
and validated by ACTDEC
250-hour Distance-training Courses leading to the
Certificate in the Theory and Methodology of TESOL
and the qualification Cert.(TM)TESOL Accredited teacher status
Course accredited by ACTDEC
Certificate awarded by accredited member institution
and validated by ACTDEC
400-450 hour Distance-training Courses leading to the
Diploma in the Theory and Methodology of TESOL or TESP
and the qualification Dip.(TM)TESOL or Dip.(TM)TESP
[Open to candidates who are qualified or experienced teachers with at least two years' full-time teaching experience.]
Course accredited by ACTDEC
Diploma awarded by accredited member institution
and validated by ACTDEC

For additional information please select from the menu below.

How to Contact Us

The ACTDEC Code of Practice

The Benefits of Using a Distance Provider Accredited by ACTDEC

Why Distance Training?

Selecting and Choosing a Distance Programme

Teaching Practice

ACTDEC Membership and Accreditation

Sample ACTDEC Certificates and Diploma

List of Accredited Members

Information for TESOL Distance Providers wishing to obtain ACTDEC Accreditation


Notes, News and Information

ACTDEC Question Corner