CONFUSING TERMS in the TEFL INDUSTRY

There are a number of terms, which are used within the industry to refer to English language learning and teaching, and often these terms can be confusing. Below is an overview of the different terms and how they inter-relate.

TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

These three terms are often used interchangeably. TESL is used primarily to refer to English language teaching in English-speaking countries (like the United States). TEFL is primarily used to refer to English language teaching in non-English-speaking countries (for example, in Argentina). TESOL is an umbrella covering both TESL and TEFL.

CELTA – University of Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
TEFL Course – Teach English as a Foreign Language Course

A ‘TEFL course’ or ‘TEFL Certificate’ is a generic term for teacher training courses for English teachers. CELTA is a type of TEFL course – administered and awarded by the University of Cambridge, UK. It is the oldest, most widely-known and widely-accepted TEFL course in the industry. To many, it is the benchmark of TEFL courses.

CELTA graduates are able to work in both TESL and TEFL settings (i.e. within English-speaking countries like American and in non-English-speaking countries like Thailand). However, not all TEFL courses cover teaching in both English-speaking and non-English-speaking settings.

For further information

If you still have unanswered questions, then feel free to contact us directly - we are happy to answer any questions that you have.

Alternatively, you can check out the FAQs section at the University of Cambridge site: http://www.cambridgeesol.org/teaching/celta.htm