Difference Between TEFL and TESOL
TEFL and TESOL are two English language programs designed for people whose first language is not English. Although TEFL and TESOL don’t have much in common, there are some key distinctions that make students decide which course to take up.
TEFL is an acronym of Teaching English as a Foreign Language. On the other hand, TESOL is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Both courses offer non-native students a chance to improve their language skills. Candidates, students and teachers wishing to work and teach English in non-English speaking countries usually take up one of these two courses.
A key difference between TEFL and TESOL is that the former is popular in the United Kingdom while the latter is more commonly used in the United States, Canada and Australia. Deciding on what course to take up depends on which non-English speaking country you want to move to for teaching.
Instructions
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TEFL
TEFL is a certification course for people wanting to teach students English as a foreign language. TEFL is designed for non-native speakers who think they need to learn English for educational and job purposes. TEFL, which is the abbreviation of Teaching English as a Foreign Language, is usually taught to native students. Generally, English speaking countries do not require English language teachers, who are usually native speakers, to have a TEFL certification to get a teaching job. However, an English speaker from countries like Australia and the United States has to show the certification when he or she applies for a teaching job in a non-English speaking country.
The certification focuses on teaching students skills in reading, speaking and writing. Most of the teachers in countries like Australia and Canada now prefer to move to countries like China, India and the Middle East as they can get plenty of job opportunities. Salaries for native English speakers teaching in a foreign country are generally high.
Image courtesy: cesl.arizona.edu
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2
TESOL
TESOL is the abbreviation of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL is a training certification designed for teachers who want to teach English to students as their second language. TESOL is similar to TEFL in ways, but the word gained popularity in Australia and is now used widely in several native and non-native countries.
TESOL was first used in Australia as teachers and linguistic professionals thought that the word English as a Second Language was somewhat belittling. They then came up with a more descriptive term - “Speakers of Other Languages”.
Image courtesy: jmu.edu
