If you look at TEFL and TESL, you will notice that one ends with ESL and the other ends with EFL. As you might have guessed, EFL stands for English as a Foreign language, and ESL stands for English as a Second Language. On the surface, it might sound the same; however, there are slight differences.
- ESL is English, which is usually taught to students in an English-speaking country. For example, the United States. ESL is typically the term used in the United States, an English-speaking nation,
- EFL is English, which is taught to students in a foreign, non-English speaking country. For example, China. EFL is more often the term of choice in these countries where English is not the native language.
TEFL Certification
A TEFL certification is an internationally accepted qualification to teach English abroad to students (both children and adults) whose first language is not English.
A TEFL certification is what most companies are recruiting for both online and in-classroom positions. The TEFL course structure is geared towards building a good foundation in English.
TESL Certification
English as a Second Language (ESL) usually teaches English to students in a country where English is a native language. Those who teach EFL would teach English to students who have immigrated or live in countries like the United Kingdom and The United States.
TESOL Certification
TESOL means English Speakers/Students of Other Languages, and the content is derived from a combination of both TESL and TEFL courses. TESOL, however, is worth considering that it is a newer qualification and is not as well known by overseas employers as TEFL.
Even though TESL and TEFL are slightly different at their core and have different aims, the general practice in the industry today; TEFL, TESL, and TESOL are all interchangeably used and accepted.
CELTA Certification?
Put simply, CELTA is a brand of TESOL regulated and affiliated with Cambridge.