I’m a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, and education has been a major part of my journey. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Organizational Psychology and my MBA while serving on active duty, and today I’m pursuing my doctorate in Special Education.
I also earned my TEFL certification through International TEFL Academy. It was an excellent experience that included live teaching practice, but it cost me well over a thousand dollars.
And that got me thinking.
I knew plenty of fellow service members who wanted to explore teaching English abroad or transition into a new career but couldn’t justify spending that kind of money just to get started.
That’s one of the reasons I founded Vanguard TEFL. I wanted to offer structured, rigorous TEFL preparation through a more flexible and accessible delivery model.
Our 168-hour program is fully online, self-paced, and developed with reference to published TQUK Level 5 TEFL standards. Graduates earn a Vanguard TEFL certificate with a unique identification number that employers can verify directly on our website. Vanguard TEFL independently delivers and awards this certificate; it is not a TQUK or Ofqual-awarded qualification.
Different delivery. Serious preparation.
Many employers are looking for qualified candidates who have completed TEFL training. They don’t necessarily require applicants to have attended the most expensive school or completed the same type of program I did.
Vanguard TEFL uses self-paced online lessons, practical teaching exercises, and assessments instead of a required live teaching practicum. The delivery is different, and we explain that distinction openly so students can choose the training that meets their needs and the requirements of their prospective employers.
I’m proud of the education I received from International TEFL Academy. I’m equally proud of what we’re building at Vanguard TEFL.
The goal was never to create a lesser alternative. It was to remove unnecessary financial barriers while giving aspiring teachers a legitimate way to begin their journey.
Different learning models. Different price points. The same ambition: preparing people to pursue opportunities teaching English.
Because your ability to pursue a new career shouldn’t be determined by how much you can afford to spend getting started.
Proudly Veteran-Owned 🇺🇸
Vanguard TEFL is operated by Vanguard Prairie Group LLC, an SBA Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business.