Tefl vs. TESOL vs. CELTA vs. ESL

If you’re one of many people looking to teach English as a foreign language, it can seem quite daunting… especially with the many confusing acronyms and education lingo out there!

Let’s simplify things, shall we? In this helpful guide, we thought we’d clarify a few of the terms that get thrown around in the English teaching world. 

TEFL, TESOL, CELTA and ESL: What’s the difference?

You might be surprised to learn that all of these terms are very similar and essentially refer to the same idea – the teaching of English as a foreign language.

However, there are in fact a few key differences that can help you decide which path to take on your journey to becoming a qualified English teacher.

Let’s start with a few definitions…

What is ESL?

This is simply an umbrella term that stands for ‘English as a second language’. It refers to the study programme that you teach students once you complete your TEFL/TESOL or CELTA certification.

What is TEFL?

This stands for ‘teaching English as a foreign language’. The term is most often used when referring to those who teach English to non-English speakers in a non-English speaking country.

What is TESOL?

This stands for ‘teaching English as a second language’. The term is commonly used in English speaking countries when teaching English to non-English speakers.

What’s the difference between TEFL and TESOL?

They are essentially the same thing, although it depends what country you’re in. In the UK or US, for example, teaching English to non-English speakers will be referred to as TESOL, whereas if you were in Europe it would be referred to as TEFL.

It’s often said that TEFL courses focus more on the academic side of things, while TESOL focuses more on teaching English used in daily life. However, this is not the case.

What is CELTA?

While TEFL and TESOL are essentially the same thing, CELTA refers to a specific qualification.

The term stands for ‘certificate in English language teaching to adults', which is now known as a ‘certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages.’

The CELTA is a qualification created by Cambridge English and endorsed by the British Council. 

What’s the difference between TEFL/TESOL and CELTA?

Each of these courses can be taught anywhere in the world, as long as they meet the relevant accreditation standards.

For example, all CELTA courses are moderated and accredited by Cambridge Assessment English. You’ll find CELTA courses offered by 300 schools in over 60 countries around the world. 

TEFL and TESOL courses have a much broader definition and, therefore, can vary a lot in terms of quality. It all depends on the organisation that moderates and offers accreditation for the course. 

What should I look for in a TEFL/TESOL course?

First of all, you should make sure a TEFL/TESOL course is accredited.

TEFL accreditation is a hallmark of quality. An independent organisation will have devised a set of standards that they believe courses should meet in order to deliver a quality programme. 

Well known accreditors include TQUK, ACCET and IATQuO. Some top universities and national exam boards can also offer accreditation for TEFL/TESOL courses. These include Trinity College London, who offer an accredited CertTESOL programme. 

Trinity CertTESOL course at TEFL Iberia

The CertTESOL (Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is a TESOL or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate that’s specially designed for people with little or no experience of teaching English.

That said, it can also be taken by those who have teaching experience, and require an internationally recognised teaching qualification.

Here at TEFL Iberia, we take Trinity College’s comprehensive Trinity CertTESOL course and add our own benefits, to ensure you receive the best possible training on your way to becoming a fully-fledged English teacher. These include:

• Small class sizes: each class is a maximum of 12 students, so plenty of dedicated attention from your tutor!
• Modern facilities and equipment such as Apple iMac computers, interactive whiteboards and projectors.
• A fully-equipped library with plenty of teaching resources readily available for your classes.
• An amazing campus in one of the world’s best cities – Barcelona!
• Full pre-course support, including dedicated visa service and arrival assistance (accommodation + airport transfers), as well as help getting your ID card and setting up a bank account.
• Full post-course support, well as career and employment support to ensure you have the best chances at landing your first teaching job in Barcelona!

Apply today to start your new journey teaching English in Spain! If you have any doubts, contact us for more information.