Use the term in context
These are general explanations of terminology. Course admission, an employer's requirements and permission to work are separate checks. Confirm the current requirements with the relevant provider, employer and destination authority.
Apostille
An official certificate used in document legalisation. For eligible UK documents, the Legalisation Office checks a signature, stamp or seal against its records before issuing the apostille. The receiving organisation specifies the document and format it needs for the application.
Primary source: FCDO: UK document legalisation
Assessed teaching practice
Teaching that a trainer observes and evaluates as part of a qualification. For example, CELTA includes six hours of assessed practice with groups of adult learners. Check a course's specification for the learners, observation, assessment and feedback involved.
Primary source: Cambridge: CELTA course and teaching practice
British schools overseas (BSO)
The Department for Education's voluntary accreditation scheme for overseas schools. Accredited schools undergo inspection against BSO standards by an approved inspectorate. Check the current accreditation and inspection report of the particular school when researching a vacancy.
Primary source: DfE: British schools overseas accreditation
CELTA
Cambridge's Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It develops practical English-language teaching skills through study, observed teaching and assessment. Courses are delivered by authorised centres; check the exact course and the requirements of the job you are considering.
Primary source: Cambridge: CELTA
Certified copy
A copy signed and dated to confirm that it matches the original seen by the certifier. The receiving organisation may have specific rules about who can certify it. Certification and legalisation are separate processes, so confirm the requested sequence and format.
Primary source: GOV.UK: certified copies · FCDO: UK document legalisation
CertTESOL
Trinity College London's initial English-language teaching qualification, delivered through Trinity-validated providers. It combines teaching theory with observed practice involving real learners. The current specification includes at least six hours of teaching practice; verify the provider and the requirements of your intended role.
Primary source: Trinity: CertTESOL and teaching terminology
DBS check
A criminal-record check from the Disclosure and Barring Service. The appropriate UK checking organisation and type of check depend on the role and circumstances, including where recruitment suitability is decided. An overseas request needs its own document check; DBS, ICPC and police certificates serve different purposes.
Primary source: DBS: choosing the correct criminal-record check
English language assistant
A role supporting English learning in a host school or university. In the British Council programme, assistants help plan activities, prepare resources and introduce contemporary UK culture. The host institution or local authority is the employer, while the British Council manages the UK side of the programme.
Primary source: British Council: assistant responsibilities
ICPC
The International Child Protection Certificate is a criminal-record check used for applications to work with children overseas. It checks relevant UK police and intelligence information. Before applying, confirm that the recruiting organisation accepts it and follow that organisation's timing instructions.
Primary source: GOV.UK: criminal-record checks for overseas work
International school
TeachAtlas uses this term for an overseas school-teaching setting, including schools following international or overseas curricula. Schools can use different curricula and accreditation schemes. Identify the named curriculum and current school accreditation when researching a vacancy; the label alone does not identify a particular accreditation.
Primary source: CIS: curricula and learning programmes · DfE: British schools overseas accreditation
iQTS
International qualified teacher status is a UK government-backed teaching qualification for training outside England with an approved English provider and school-based practice. The Department for Education states that gaining iQTS also gives you English QTS. Confirm the separate requirements of any overseas teaching job.
Primary source: DfE: international qualified teacher status · DfE: qualified teacher status
Legalisation
A process used when an authority abroad requires authentication of a document. For eligible UK documents, the Legalisation Office verifies a signature, seal or stamp and issues an apostille. The recipient's checklist determines what document, certification and other steps are needed for the intended use.
Primary source: FCDO: UK document legalisation
PGCE
A postgraduate certificate in education is an academic qualification available through some teacher-training courses. A course may award QTS with a PGCE, QTS alone, or a PGCE without QTS. Check the stated award and professional status rather than assuming the initials establish both.
Primary source: DfE: PGCE course outcomes
Police certificate
A criminal-record document issued by the relevant authority for a stated purpose. ACRO issues UK Police Certificates used in many emigration and visa processes. The receiving employer or authority specifies the check it accepts; the phrase police check does not identify one worldwide certificate.
Primary source: DBS: choosing the correct criminal-record check
QTS
Qualified teacher status is professional teaching status in England and a requirement for many school teaching posts. Several training and assessment routes lead to QTS. A PGCE is a separate academic award, and an overseas vacancy can have its own recognition requirements.
Primary source: DfE: qualified teacher status · DfE: PGCE course outcomes
TEFL
Teaching English as a foreign language. The initials describe an area of teaching and appear in many course names. Identify the actual qualification, awarding organisation, assessment and teaching practice when comparing courses or matching a vacancy's requirements.
Primary source: Trinity: CertTESOL and teaching terminology · Cambridge: CELTA course and teaching practice
TESOL
Teaching English to speakers of other languages. This broad term is used for the field and in qualification titles. The exact certificate and its assessment matter: TESOL in a course name does not identify a single awarding organisation or course specification.
Primary source: Trinity: CertTESOL and teaching terminology
Work permission
TeachAtlas's shorthand for the destination's permission to carry out the intended work. A visa, work permit or other status may be required. Check the destination authority's current conditions separately from course admission and an employer's offer, including whether the proposed activity is covered.
Primary source: UK government: overseas visas and work permits
Sources and dates
- Cambridge: CELTA
Cambridge English · checked 2026-11-09
- Cambridge: CELTA course and teaching practice
Cambridge English · checked 2026-11-09
- Trinity: CertTESOL and teaching terminology
Trinity College London · checked 2026-11-09
- DfE: qualified teacher status
Department for Education · checked 2026-11-09
- DfE: international qualified teacher status
Department for Education · checked 2026-11-09
- DfE: PGCE course outcomes
Department for Education · checked 2026-11-09
- DfE: British schools overseas accreditation
Department for Education · checked 2026-11-09
- CIS: curricula and learning programmes
Council of International Schools · checked 2026-11-09
- British Council: assistant responsibilities
British Council · checked 2026-11-09
- DBS: choosing the correct criminal-record check
Disclosure and Barring Service · checked 2026-11-09
- GOV.UK: criminal-record checks for overseas work
Home Office · checked 2026-11-09
- FCDO: UK document legalisation
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · checked 2026-11-09
- GOV.UK: certified copies
GOV.UK · checked 2026-11-09
- UK government: overseas visas and work permits
Business.gov.uk · checked 2026-11-09
Prepared by TeachAtlas editorial using AI-assisted research and synthesis. Sources were checked for these definitions on 9 November 2026. No individual specialist review or personal teaching experience is claimed. Read the editorial method.