If you’re a budding TEFL teacher with dreams of teaching English abroad, chances are you sometimes get lost in the lingo of an industry teeming with acronyms and jargon. And with terms like DELE, CELTA, TESOL and TBL being thrown around, who can blame you?
But don’t let it overwhelm you! As an industry expert and one of the leading TEFL schools in Spain, TEFL Iberia is here to help. Here’s our ultimate TEFL glossary, with a list of the most important TEFL terminology you need to know.
The period of the year during which students attend classes. For TEFL students (that is, people studying to become TEFL teachers) studying at quality TEFL academies, there is often continuous enrolment, meaning you can start a course at any time of year – even in the summer! For students learning English, the academic year begins in September – the ideal time for TEFL teachers to find employment.
Many TEFL providers include assistance with finding comfortable, affordable accommodation in the city. At TEFL Iberia, we provide you with fantastic accommodation near the centre of Barcelona covering the four weeks of your course for just €750 (that’s with all bills included).
TEFL accreditation is the industry’s hallmark of quality. TEFL course providers that have been accredited by a respected organisation have shown that they meet the standards of an independent educational body and can be trusted. At TEFL Iberia, we’re accredited by Trinity College London – an official provider of the Trinity CertTESOL qualification. This comes with a promise that you get the best training possible, graduating with a qualification that’s recognised and accepted throughout the world.
Otherwise known as the Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services, AGCAS is the professional association for higher education careers practitioners in the UK. It’s an organisation used by careers services at British universities as a source of information about international study. It’s also one of the organisations that endorses TEFL Iberia.
A type of English often used in business sectors such as international trade, finance, commerce and technology. Business English typically uses specific types of vocabulary and is considered to be a specialism within English language learning and teaching. As English is the international language of business, there is a growing demand for business English tuition, and TEFL graduates can go on to work as specialist business English teachers for multinational companies or startups.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a native English speaker to teach English as a foreign language. However, all good TEFL courses require a level of at least C1 English. At this level, speakers can express themselves fluently and spontaneously, understanding an expansive range of complex texts in an academic setting and demonstrating a deep understanding of English grammar.
The best TEFL course providers will offer extra assistance when it comes to launching a career post graduation. At TEFL Iberia, our Careers Service equips you with the skills and gives you the guidance and connections you need to find employment within just a few weeks of graduating. This includes job market orientation sessions, interview practice and CV preparation workshops.
Otherwise known as the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, CEFR is the international standard when it comes to assessing language ability. The framework covers six levels – A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 and C2, from beginner to native.
A qualification set up by Cambridge English and approved by the British Council, the CELTA (certificate in English language teaching to adults) is one of the world’s most recognised TEFL qualifications and is offered by over 300 schools across more than 60 countries around the world.
A method of language teaching that gives real world communication central importance. The student is placed in a social situation and learns to accurately convey meaning, while the teacher acts as a facilitator.
An increasingly common way to take exams and tests, CBT, or computer-based testing is an alternative to paper-based testing and is administered and taken on the computer. Not to be confused with cognitive behavioural therapy, which also goes by the acronym CBT.
This person is responsible for planning and coordinating all aspects of a TEFL course. When you apply to enroll in a course at TEFL Iberia, you’ll be contacted by one of our course coordinators for a 20-30-minute discussion that goes over the content of your course, as well as all aspects of your move to Barcelona.
The subjects and type of content that comprise a TEFL course in its entirety.
The official, internationally recognised certificate that demonstrates proficiency of the Spanish language, awarded on behalf of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Vocational Training. Iberia Language Academy in Barcelona helps students with all DELE exam preparation as part of its Spanish courses.
Otherwise known as the Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults, the DELTA is an advanced level course offering a mixture of theory and teaching practice providing TEFL teachers with extra skills, knowledge and experience. TEFL Iberia offers the equivalent Developing Teacher course, with the added benefit of Spanish classes and a student visa programme.
English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) are frequently used interchangeably. However, EFL is more often used in countries where English is not the native language, such as Spain, South Korea and China, whereas ESL often refers to teaching in countries where English is the native language, such as the UK and the USA.
Another term that’s often used interchangeably with EFL, ESL and TEFL, ESOL stands for English for speakers of other languages. Like ESL, ESOL usually refers to teaching English in countries where English is the native language.
Also known as English for specific purposes, ESP is a form of English language teaching that focuses on a certain sector such as law, medicine or business. It’s not limited to these sectors though – ESP could also refer to any kind of specialism, including dance, sports or art – where the learner wants to focus on elements of the language that are tailored to their set of personal circumstances.
A registered charity that was founded in the UK over 60 years ago, IATEFL – or the International Association of Teachers of a Foreign Language – links, develops and supports TEFL teachers around the world. As an institutional member of IATEFL, TEFL Iberia keeps in the loop with constant developments in English language teaching methods and trends.
Also known as the International English Language Testing Service, IELTS is the globally renowned, standardised test for English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers.
This type of course involves studying a specific number of hours over a reduced period of study time, often with more frequent, longer classes than standard courses. The advantage is that you can learn a language or qualify to become a TEFL teacher in a shorter period of time. However, students should be prepared to work hard in order to get the best out of an intensive course.
There are four main language skills split into two different types. They are speaking, writing, listening and reading. Speaking and writing are known as productive skills – essentially, they are skills that involve the output of a language. On the other hand, listening and reading are known as receptive skills – skills that involve taking in and processing a language.
The content and structure of an individual lesson. Lesson plans typically consist of a title, level usually includes title, levels, objectives, requirements, materials needed and more. As part of a TEFL course, you will learn how to create TEFL lesson plans.
In the world of TEFL, materials refer to any type of educational resources used by teachers and/or learners during the course of study. This includes flashcards, grammar sheets, books, videos, audio clips, infographics, test sheets and activities, as well as more innovative kinds of materials such as AI tools and online quizzes.
Otherwise known as observed teaching practice, OPT (which can also be called ‘practicum’) is an integral part of the best TEFL courses. It involves getting practice in a real classroom with direct feedback from experienced teachers. As part of a Trinity CertTESOL course, TEFL Iberia’s foundational TEFL teacher program, you’ll receive six hours or more of observed teaching practice with real learners, giving you crucial experience of teaching in a real classroom.
Known as the TEFL exam ‘watchdog’ in the UK, Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) oversees and regulates UK qualifications and exams. They also regulate the Trinity CertTESOL, one of the world’s leading TEFL qualifications.
Also known as project-based learning, PBL is a type of teaching that focuses on themes or projects to enhance the learning experience in the classroom. These projects can be tailored towards the specific interests of students.
A one-to-one teaching session between a learner and a teacher. Many TEFL graduates go on to offer private lessons, either full-time or as a supplementary element to their TEFL career.
Many TEFL schools demand the ability to deal with the academic pressures of the course, as well as a certain level of English proficiency. This demand often necessitates an interview and/or placement test prior to enrolling on the TEFL course.
The best TEFL course providers offer accommodation services and these include the extra help of a resident assistant. This person makes sure students are safe and settle into their surroundings. At TEFL Iberia, our resident assistants are always on hand for any assistance. They are typically a few years older than the designated student, speak Spanish and have lived in Barcelona for at least a year.
In many countries, you need a student visa to study TEFL. Spain, for instance, requires those from the UK, the USA, Canada, Australia and other non-EU countries to obtain a student visa. At TEFL Iberia, we provide a dedicated student visa programme that enables our students to live, study and work in Barcelona for up to a year. We also offer detailed guidance on how to transfer this to a working visa to stay in the city long-term.
TEFL is an acronym for teaching English as a foreign language. Also known as TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages), it refers to teaching English to non-native speakers.
An acronym for teaching English to speakers of other languages, TESOL is often used interchangeably with TEFL. This term forms the basis for the Trinity CertTESOL, one of the most widely respected TEFL qualifications in the world.
For those studying TEFL in Barcelona, obtaining a TIE (tarjeta de identidad de extranjero) is essential. This residence permit allows you to live in the city and is notoriously difficult to get. At TEFL Iberia, we help all our students secure a TIE – we book your TIE appointment for you and can accompany you to your appointment while giving you guidance on gathering all the paperwork you need.
An acronym for Test of English for International Communication, a TOEIC is a standardised exam that assesses a learner’s ability to use English in the workplace and everyday life.
Aimed at people who have little or no experience of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), the Trinity CertTESOL is one of the most respected TEFL qualifications in the world. Accredited by Trinity College London, it gives you the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to be a TEFL teacher anywhere in the world and is the equivalent to a first-year undergraduate degree.
An acronym for very young learners, VYLs typically fall within the age range of ages three to five. For TEFL teachers, this involves teaching in kindergartens, pre-schools or, as they’re known in Spain, guarderías.
An acronym for young learners, YLs usually comprise learners between the ages of six and 12. For TEFL teachers, this involves teaching in primary schools and middle schools. At TEFL Iberia, our Teaching Young Learners Course provides you with the specific skills you need when teaching English to children.
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