When it comes to identifying the English language requirements for studying or teaching abroad, there are a plethora of abbreviations and acronyms to memorise. In the midst of all this clutter, it is impossible to recall their complete names and determine which exam meets which criteria and is suitable for which university. This is why there are guides dedicated to explaining each exam and helping individuals in understanding the nuances and relevance of each test. This guide today will explain the key distinctions between TEFL vs TESOL.
What Does TEFL Mean?
The industry of Teaching English as a Foreign Language is known as TEFL. It discusses the profession and future career of teaching English to students who do not speak English as a first language and reside in non-English speaking countries. It’s a requirement for TEFL teachers in almost every country. You must complete an online or in-person course to receive a certificate. 120-hour courses are the most prevalent and are nearly universally required.
What Does TESOL Mean?
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is an abbreviation that refers to teaching the language to non-English speakers. It refers to teaching English to those in English-speaking nations or overseas, while it is most commonly used to refer to language training in English-speaking countries.
TEFL Vs TESOL – Are There Any Differences?
Technically, there is little or no difference in TEFL vs TESOL if you look deeply at it. They are both abbreviations for “teaching English to non-native speakers.” Similarly, when you come across references to ESL teaching credentials for teaching English overseas, a “TEFL certification” and a “TESOL certification” are identical in the great majority of circumstances.
TESOL is a term used in the US to describe the process of teaching English to non-native speakers in public schools. The term TEFL is most commonly used to refer to professions and certifications involving teaching English in countries where English is not the national language.
If you wish to teach English as a second language in a public school system, you’ll most likely need a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in TESOL. You may also acquire a TESOL certification or endorsement by earning a bachelor’s degree in education and doing the TESOL curriculum. This will allow you to teach ESL and work with ESL students in public schools.
When comparing the distinctions between TEFL vs TESOL, it’s typical for British, Canadian, and Australian training facilities to provide a TESOL certificate because it’s also utilised for domestic teaching in private language schools and is controlled by their governments.
TEFL Or TESOL – Which Is Better?
What counts in TEFL vs TESOL is if you undertake quality training that reflects the global standards and will offer you with the skills and qualifications you need to be hired, not which acronym is on your certification or degree.
Again, TEFL is more usually used to refer to teaching English to non-native speakers in a mostly English-speaking nation, whereas TESOL is more commonly used to refer to teaching English to non-native speakers in a largely English-speaking country. TESOL qualifications or degrees, on the other hand, have helped hundreds of teachers find fantastic careers teaching English in other countries.
Questions To Ask When Comparing TEFL Vs TESOL
It’s crucial to remember that not all TEFL and TESOL programmes are made equal, and because there are no worldwide standards for regulating this sort of training, doing some research before enrolling in one is always a good idea. We’ve compiled a list of questions to consider when choosing your training after discussing with candidates, companies, and alumni. This list should serve as a good starting point for your search knowing which is better – TESOL or TEFL.
- What part of the world would you like to teach? What are the usual criteria in that country/region for English teachers? Which of the two in TEFL and TESOL, will your required countries accept?
- What are the programme’s entry requirements? (This will give you an idea of the other students and the programme’s intensity.) Who accredits the training programme?
- Who will your instructors be? What credentials/qualifications do they have?
- Do you need to do a practicum placement to impress potential employers?
Thank you for your interest in this blog on ‘The Major Differences Between TEFL vs TESOL’. If you’d like to read more, here are some blogs that might be of interest to you –
1 thought on “Top PGDM Courses In Canada: Universities, Specialisations & Eligibility”
I have done Bachelor’s in Culinary Arts from India and completed my graduation in the year 2022 .I am 22 years old. After graduation, I have done 1 year paid internship from USA .Now, I would like to take occupational experience and learn culinary skills and also do masters in Culinary arts.How can I find the college n best course / country where I can persue studying further