ACCREDITAT Code of Practice for Teachers
At the heart of the ACCREDITAT Code of Practice for Teachers is:
►a conviction that excellence is achieved via competence
►a belief in the worth, individuality and dignity of each person
►a commitment to truth, excellence and democratic principles
►an allegiance to freedom to learn and teach
►a dedication to the principle of equal opportunity for all
Members of the TEFL teaching profession are committed to demonstrating the
following values and ideals which underpin the profession:
1. Honesty And Integrity
►creating and maintaining appropriate professional relationships in the classroom,
school and in public
►acting with impartiality, truthfulness and honesty
►displaying consistently high standards of personal and professional behaviour
►refraining from disclosing information about colleagues in the course of
professional service unless disclosure serves a compelling professional purpose or is
required by law
►refraining from any abuse of a position of authority or relationships with learners,
parents, caregivers or colleagues for financial, political or personal gain
►acting according to the law
2. Dignity And Diversity
►valuing diversity and treating learners, parents, caregivers and colleagues
equitably and fairly and with care and compassion while respecting the uniqueness
of family and socio-economic backgrounds, cultures, races, religions and beliefs
►valuing the learning needs, effort, and potential, and acknowledging the
uniqueness, of each learner
►improving the wellbeing and progress of those learners with special needs
►fostering the valuing of diversity and encouraging the development of
international, multicultural, gender, and indigenous and other perspectives
►allowing, reasonably, the learners’ access to varying points of view
3. Respect And Trust
►acknowledging that mutual respect, trust and confidentiality of personal
information underpin all relationships with learners and their families unless
disclosure of any information serves a compelling professional purpose or is
required by law
►acknowledging the contribution that mutual respect, trust and privacy make to
learners’ wellbeing and learning
►acknowledging the desires and hopes of the learners’ families and caregivers
►acting with educational colleagues and the broader community in ways that
enhance the profession
►accepting the status, responsibilities and authority of colleagues
►remaining open to constructive criticism from peers and showing respect and
consideration for different viewpoints
4. Responsibility And Accountability
►giving priority to the education and welfare of all learners in our care
►guiding and encouraging learners to achieve their potential, ensuring all learners
have an equal opportunity to reach their potential
►creating interactive learning environments, rather than environments in which the
learners are merely passive recipients of information
►regarding themselves as learners and engaging in continuous professional
development, and improving teaching and learning strategies for themselves and
colleagues
►working collaboratively, cooperatively and enthusiastically with colleagues and
other educational bodies in the best interests of the education and welfare of the
learners
►taking heed to clarify their personal views and those of the local educational
authorities ►promoting the ongoing development of teaching as a profession
►upholding school policies, procedures and practices
►modelling the behaviour, attitudes and positive values which are widely accepted
in society and encouraging learners to apply them and critically appreciate their
significance
5. Care And Protection
►having empathy and respect for, and rapport with, learners and their families and
caregivers, colleagues and communities
►committing to learners’ wellbeing and learning through the practice of positive
influence, professional judgement and empathy in practice
►adhering to the school’s learner protection policies and procedures
►protecting learners from conditions harmful to learning or health and safety
►refraining from any racial, gender, political, verbal, physical or emotional abuse,
embarrassment or harassment
►being generous with praise and giving positive inputs and feedback
6. Fairness And Justice
►being fair and reasonable at all times
►being committed to the wellbeing of individuals and the community and the
common good
►resolving competing claims or problems arising from different ethical principles
and various interest groups through reflective professional discussion
Note this: View this as an excellent aide-memoire to reflect on what you
should be doing on a day-to-day basis. Keep it by your side at all times.
Reflect on it frequently. It will serve you well in your TEFL career.
