Page 25 - ELG2003 Mar Issue 469

El•Gazette 469.qxp_El•Gazette 469 25/02/2020 21:51 Page 25

UK LANGUAGE CENTRES

Do teachers need degrees?

Research shows it matters,
says Melanie Butler

cross the developed world, a first degree is a prerequisite for
teachers working in mainstream education, but not in
Apreschool.
First degrees are also a requirement for the accreditation of
language schools in the US, Canada, Ireland and Australia. But not in
UK EFL.
In April 2019, the British Council downgraded its requirement for a
Level 6 (first degree equivalent) qualification for teachers in
accredited language schools from “except in exceptional
circumstances” to “normally”. Evidence of “engagement with post-
school learning and/or substantial life experience” is required for
non-graduates.
However, there is clear evidence that graduate teachers increase
applicable to the school in question. So, it has four strengths out of student outcomes, even among preschool children. A major study In
five rather than six – a slight statistical advantage. England found having a Level 6-qualified teacher can make a long-
The number of criteria in a given area can also vary from year to lasting difference.
year. For example, in 2017, centres could be awarded strengths in just The EPPE cohort study in England followed 3,000 children (both
two of the five criteria in the area of Academic Staff Profile. Since L1 and L2 English) from birth to age 16 to measure the key variables
2018, three out of four criteria can be marked as strong. affecting educational attainment. One focus was the impact of
To iron out statistical differences, we calculated all results as a preschool on later education. After controlling for family variables, it
percentage of available criteria for each area reported across the same found that having Level 6 teachers at preschool was a strong
base number. This does not entirely eliminate the statistical predictor of a child’s learning outcomes at age 11.
discrepancy and differences of less than 0.2 are unlikely to be “Every increase in the educational level of staff, from level three to
significant. four to five, predicted an increase in children’s outcomes,“ Professor
An additional bonus of 0.25 is awarded under criteria T1, under Kathy Sylva, who led the EPPE study, told the Gazette.
Academic Staff Profile, for centres where all staff either have a Level 6 “But Level 6 was the elbow point. It predicted a stronger increase
qualification (a first degree or equivalent), or are fully qualified EFL in outcomes at 11 than all the other increases in educational levels
Teachers (TEFLQ) with an EFL Diploma at postgraduate level. put together.”
Inspectors cannot award a strength under this criteria. Is EFL the only area of education in which degrees don’t matter?

Last Inspection Percentile Bonus Points Areas of Strength in Summary* Academic Staff 100% Staff with L6 Qualifications Academic Management Course Design Learner Management Teaching

Profile
rank Adult Centres Centre year Ranking max 6 max 5 max 3 bonus max 6 max 6 max 6 max 8
Type
1 Wimbledon School of English PLS 2018 Perfect 5.54 5.0 3.0 0.25 6.0 6.0 5.0 5.0
2 ELC Bristol PLS 16+ 2018 Perfect 5.44 5.0 3.0 6.0 4.8 6.0 6.0
3 London School of English PLS 18+ 2019 Perfect 5.15 5.0 3.0 0.25 6.0 4.8 3.0 6.0
4 ELC Brighton Ch 2019 Perfect 4.76 5.0 3.0 0.25 6.0 3.6 4.0 4.0
5 London Sch of Eng Canterbury PLS 18+ 2019 Perfect 4.48 5.0 3.0 3.0 4.8 3.6 6.0
6 LSI Portsmouth PLS 18+ 2018 Perfect 4.41 5.0 2.0 0.25 4.0 3.6 5.0 4.0
7 Bell Cambridge Ch 2018 3% 5.29 5.0 3.0 0.25 6.0 3.6 5.0 6.0
8 IH London PLS 2017 3% 4.69 5.0 3.0 5.0 3.6 5.0 5.0
9 University of Manchester Uni 18+ 2017 3% 4.34 5.0 3.0 0.25 3.6 3.6 3.0 5.0
10 English in Chester Ch 2019 3% 4.05 4.0 3.0 0.25 5.0 3.6 3.0 3.0
11 Kaplan Oxford Ch 16+ 2016 5% 4.83 5.0 3.0 0.25 4.0 6.0 3.0 5.0
12 Edge Hill University Uni 18+ 2018 5% 4.51 5.0 3.0 0.25 3.6 5.0 3.6 4.0
13 East Sussex College, L & E FE 16+ 2018 5% 4.13 5.0 3.0 0.25 3.0 3.0 3.0 5.0
14 ELC Eastbourne Ch 16+ 2019 5% 3.95 5.0 3.0 0.25 4.0 2.0 3.0 4.0
15 University of Liverpool Uni 16+ 2018 5% 3.00 4.0 0.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 4.0

Ch (chain): a group of schools under one brand or a group of a criteria was not met, so a strength was deducted
schools or brands under the same ownership *Areas of Strength in Summary Statement, of those 5 here
KEY ELC: English Language Centre PLS: Private Language School NB Differences in total Bonus points awarded reflect
FE: Further Education College TT: Teacher Training Centre slight differences in outcomes. Difference of less than
IH: International House 16+ 17+ 18+ Minimum age 0.20 are unlikely to be statistically significant

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