What is the difference between TEFL and ESL certification?

For example, if you were to move to France as an English teacher, where the main language spoken is French, and people learn English so they can communicate when traveling abroad – then this would be considered TEFL. TESL (or ESL) on the other hand refers to Teaching English as a Second Language.

Is ESL or TEFL better?

TEFL. The primary difference between these two certifications involves your career intentions. A TEFL certification is needed if you plan to teach English abroad. If you will be teaching English as a language to non-English speakers in their native country, this is the certification for you.

Is TEFL an ESL certificate?

“TEFL” is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language or, simply put, English language instruction for non-native speakers. It is also commonly known as Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English Language Teaching (ELT), and teaching ESL (English as a Second Language).

Can you teach ESL without a TEFL qualification?

You may not need a TEFL certificate to teach English if you meet one or all of these qualifications: Possess a bachelor's or master's degree, especially if it's in education. Have 1-2+ years of previous teaching experience. Hold other related qualifications like a CELTA, TESOL certificate, or teaching license.

Which is higher TEFL or TESOL?

Since TESOL is a newer certification, it can be less highly regarded than a TEFL, as overseas curricula tend to favour TEFL qualified candidates. Some schools and organizations may also not recognize a TESOL certification as a valid ESL teaching certificate.

What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL?

How much does it cost to get TEFL certified?

How Much Does TEFL Certification Online Cost? The cost of a TEFL certification online can vary from $99 to $3,000 USD. However, cheaper courses under $1,000 typically do not meet recognized international standards and often do not include live practice teaching, which is required by most employers in the field.

How long does it take to get a TEFL certificate?

How long should a TEFL course last? Typically, a fully accredited TEFL certification course will last anywhere from 4 weeks to 6 months. Shorter, 4-week long courses will generally run full-time (30-40 hours per week) and are very demanding.

Can I teach English with only a TEFL certificate?

A TEFL qualification is essential if you're going to find work teaching English abroad without a degree. Most employers look for teachers to have a 120-hour TEFL qualification, so make sure you choose a course with at least those hours.

Can you do TEFL if you only speak English?

Not having foreign language skills won't prevent you from finding a TEFL job abroad or online. All you need to teach English is fluency in English (obviously!), a TEFL certificate , and, in some cases, a degree as well.

What qualifies you to be an ESL teacher?

Statewide Minimum Qualifications: To teach English as a second language (ESL) in a noncredit program, teachers must meet one of the following criteria: A bachelor's degree in teaching English as a second language, or teaching English to speakers of other languages.

What is ESL called now?

Home Languages

What we now call EAL/ELA/ELL was, for a long time, called ESL (English as a second language). This term dropped from use simply because it is rarely accurate in education.

Which ESL certification is the best?

If you are primarily planning to teach abroad, the TEFL is the more widely recognized certification. If you are planning to teach in the U.S., a TESL or TESOL certification is usually a better choice.

Can I teach ESL with a TEFL?

You can take Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) courses at colleges and private training providers all over the world. They vary widely in cost and length. You can do: an intensive full-time course lasting 4 weeks.

Is ESL outdated?

Other Terms Commonly Used in Schools

Students of English for speakers of other languages (ESOL): Predates and is commonly interchanged with ELL but is often used to “other” ELL students. Students of English as a second language (ESL): Considered outdated, as it downplays the value of multilingualism.

Which state pays ESL teachers the most?

In contrast, states with higher living costs, such as New York, Connecticut, and Washington, offer higher average salaries, around $65,000 per year. These figures reflect a broad range, and actual earnings can vary based on specific job roles, qualifications, and local demand for ESL teachers.

Does TEFL expire?

A TEFL certificate is a lifetime qualification and doesn't require any additional training or coursework to renew it. It does not have an expiration date and you can start work immediately after receiving your TEFL certificate.

Can I study TEFL without a degree?

Luckily, nowadays you can still start your teaching career and find teaching jobs abroad without a degree, BUT with a simple TEFL Certification, which is way cheaper and faster to get. Once you've obtained your TEFL Certification, you have the opportunity to change your career at any time you want.

Can I teach online without TEFL?

Many online teaching companies require a TEFL certificate and for the ones that don't, a TEFL certification will give your online teacher profile that cutting edge. Also, given that the job market is becoming more competitive, you'll need a certificate to get a job with a reputable company.

Do I need to be bilingual to teach ESL?

ESL classrooms are filled with students with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and languages. However, there's only one language used for teaching in an ESL classroom: English. Do ESL teachers have to be bilingual? No, English is the only language an educator needs to know to excel as an ESL teacher.

Is it hard to get a TEFL certificate?

The short answer is no, it's not hard to get a TEFL certification! The longer answer is that while certifications are widely available online, it's important to do your research and make sure you have the time to fully commit to getting certified.

How hard is it to get a TEFL job?

TEFL Certification alone isn't always enough to get you a job. To have the best possible chance of getting hired, you should also have a bachelor's degree from an accredited university, be a native or fluent English speaker, and meet all of the TEFL job requirements for the country where you've chosen to teach.

Is TEFL certificate legit?

Yes, TEFL is a legitimate field of study and certification that can be beneficial for those who want to teach English as a foreign language abroad or online. It is important to choose a reputable TEFL course provider that is accredited by recognized organizations and offers comprehensive training.

How hard is a 120-hour TEFL course?

While 120 hours might sound like quite a lot, broken down over the average of 10-12 weeks that most of our students take to complete a course, it's just 10-12 hours per week. When you look at it like this, you can see how easy it can be to fit a 120-hour course in around your other commitments.

Is free TEFL certificate legit?

A free TEFL course is unlikely to get you a job. A big reason for this is the number of hours. Most employers require teachers to have at least a 120-hour TEFL qualification, which is the industry standard. A lot of free TEFL courses aren't 120-hour courses, and so they won't meet this requirement.

How many hours is TEFL classroom?

The 20 hour TEFL classroom course will provide you with an internationally recognised certificate to teach abroad. No problem. BUT, you'll have a better chance of getting the better-paid teaching jobs with better conditions if you do a combined course such as the 120-hour course.