Short answer: CELTA is a Cambridge English teaching qualification. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL is a UK regulated qualification listed on the Ofqual register. ACTDEC accredits distance and online TESOL courses at Levels 2 to 5. Global English's Level 5 course is ACTDEC-accredited, not Ofqual-regulated and not CELTA. Which one you need depends on the jobs you are applying for.
ACTDEC, Ofqual and CELTA are three different TEFL paths, not three names for the same certificate. ACTDEC (the Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses) accredits specialist distance TESOL providers (every Global English course except the 10-hour Enter English introductory course is ACTDEC-accredited); Ofqual regulates England’s regulated qualifications framework (RQF) awards that some TEFL providers offer separately; CELTA is a Cambridge English initial teacher-training certificate with assessed teaching practice. In 2026 most Asia and online employers screen for an accredited 120-hour TEFL/TESOL; many UK language schools still prefer CELTA; a minority of roles ask specifically for an Ofqual-regulated Level 5. Pick the path that matches the jobs you want, not the loudest marketing claim.
Last verified: September 2026. Global English has trained teachers since 1997 (UKRLP 10056745). We are ACTDEC-accredited and tutor-marked. We are not Ofqual-regulated and we do not claim CELTA equivalence.
Side-by-side: ACTDEC vs Ofqual Level 5 vs CELTA
| Global English Level 5 | Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL (example: The TEFL Academy) | CELTA | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who stands behind it | ACTDEC accreditation | Qualifi, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation (provider page, Ofqual register) | Cambridge English (CELTA page) |
| Hours | 250 | See the Ofqual register entry | At least 120 hours of study; full time usually 4 to 5 weeks, or part time (Cambridge English) |
| Delivery | Online, tutor-marked | Online, self-paced (provider page) | Face-to-face, online or a combination, at an authorised centre (Cambridge English) |
| How to check | actdec.org.uk/accredited-members/ | Ofqual register | Cambridge English centre finder |
Details for The TEFL Academy and CELTA were checked on 6 October 2026 on the pages linked in the table. Providers change their courses, so check the provider's own page before you enrol.
For the deeper CELTA-vs-online discussion we already publish, see Online TEFL/TESOL or CELTA?. For how ACTDEC accreditation works at Global English, start at our accreditation page.
What each path is, in plain English
ACTDEC (distance TESOL accreditation)
ACTDEC sets standards for distance TESOL teacher training. Providers are audited against those standards; certificates carry ACTDEC levels that map roughly to depth of study (Level 2 ≈ 70 to 100 hours, Level 3 ≈ 120, Level 4 ≈ 150, Level 5 ≈ 250). It is not the same as Ofqual regulation, and saying “ACTDEC Level 5 = Ofqual Level 5” is inaccurate. What employers usually care about is: accredited hours, a real school name, tutor marking, and a verification route.
Ofqual (England’s regulator)
Ofqual regulates qualifications and awarding organisations in England. An Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL diploma is a specific regulated award on the RQF, useful where a job advert literally asks for Ofqual. It is not a synonym for “any Level 5 TEFL”. Many excellent overseas employers never mention Ofqual at all; they ask for TEFL/TESOL hours and teaching ability.
CELTA
CELTA is a short, intensive initial teacher-training certificate with observed teaching practice. It is widely respected in language-school chains and remains a strong UK-facing signal. It is also typically the most expensive and least flexible of the three paths. CELTA is not required for EPIK, most hagwons, China public/private school Z-visa routes, or the majority of online marketplaces.
Who should pick which path in 2026
| Your goal | Usually best first path | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Teach in Asia (EPIK, hagwon, China, Vietnam) or online marketplaces | Accredited online ACTDEC Level 3 (120h) | Matches the “120-hour TEFL/TESOL” screen; flexible; verifiable; cost-effective |
| UK private language school / British Council-style shortlist | CELTA (or check the advert) | Observed practice teaching is often expected; CELTA is the familiar brand |
| Advert says “Ofqual Level 5” specifically | Ofqual-regulated Level 5 diploma from a listed awarding body | Only a regulated RQF award satisfies that wording |
| Gulf / competitive senior TEFL roles + career depth | Strong Level 5 depth (ACTDEC 250h and/or CELTA) + experience | Packages favour credentials and classroom years; Level 5 signals seriousness |
| Need flexibility while working / caring / relocating | ACTDEC online ladder (120 → 150 → 250) | Self-paced tutor-marked study; upgrade path without restarting |
Honest rule: read the vacancy. If it says CELTA, Ofqual, or a teaching licence, believe it. If it says “120-hour TEFL/TESOL certificate”, an accredited ACTDEC Level 3 meets the common screen.
The Global English ladder (ACTDEC Levels 3–5)
Most first-time teachers should start with our 120-hour Level 3 TESOL Certificate, the industry-standard screening credential for overseas and online roles. When you want more methodology depth or a stronger CV for competitive markets, move up to the 150-hour Level 4 Advanced or the 250-hour Level 5 Professional. Browse the full set on our online TEFL/TESOL courses hub, or take the which TEFL course quiz if you are unsure.
Our recommendation for most readers: start at 120 hours unless a named employer already requires CELTA or an Ofqual Level 5 award. Choose 250 hours when you want Level 5 depth without claiming Ofqual or CELTA equivalence.
Is ACTDEC Level 5 the same as Ofqual Level 5?
No. ACTDEC Level 5 describes depth within ACTDEC’s distance-TESOL framework. Ofqual Level 5 refers to a regulated qualification on England’s RQF. Every Global English course except the 10-hour Enter English introductory course is ACTDEC-accredited; none is an Ofqual-regulated award.
Is an ACTDEC TEFL equivalent to CELTA?
No, and we will never claim it is. CELTA includes assessed teaching practice under Cambridge’s scheme. ACTDEC online TESOL is a different path: flexible, tutor-marked distance training that matches the “accredited 120-hour TEFL” screen used across much of Asia and online teaching. Some employers accept either; some insist on CELTA. Read the job advert.
Do I need CELTA to teach English in Korea or China?
Usually no. EPIK and most Chinese Z-visa school routes accept a TEFL/TESOL certificate at the stated hour threshold (commonly 100–120 hours) alongside a bachelor’s degree. CELTA is optional prestige, not the legal minimum for those markets.
When is Ofqual Level 5 worth the extra cost?
When the role or immigration advice explicitly asks for an Ofqual-regulated qualification, or when you are targeting employers who only shortlist RQF awards. For EPIK, hagwons, China schools and most online platforms, an accredited ACTDEC 120-hour certificate is the practical starting point.
Can I upgrade later if I start with 120 hours?
Yes. Global English is designed as a ladder: Level 3 → Level 4 → Level 5. Many teachers qualify at 120 hours, take a first job, then deepen training when they target better packages or specialist niches.
How do employers check a Global English certificate?
Every certificate carries a unique number. Employers can use our online verify page. Optional ACTDEC hard-copy certificates are available after successful completion.
Which course should most people buy first?
The 120-hour Level 3 for Asia and online entry roles. Choose the 250-hour Level 5 when you want career-depth signalling without pretending it is CELTA or Ofqual. If a UK language school shortlist demands CELTA, take CELTA for that market.