What is TEFL?

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TEFL is the acronym for Teaching English as a Foreign Language or, simply, English language instruction for non-native speakers.

A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification is an internationally recognised qualification to teach English abroad and a critical component of your international teaching job application. ​ A TEFL qualification allows teachers to teach English to learners whose first language is not English.

What is the difference between a TEFL/CELTA/TESOL course?

TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language): This will allow a teacher to teach in an English-speaking country to students whose first language isn’t English.

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): This encompasses both TEFL and TESL and can mean either one or both. This will allow a teacher to teach a student whose native language isn’t English.

CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages): This is a specific brand, operating under Cambridge University, similar to a TESOL. This course is usually taught full-time over 4 weeks or part-time over 6 months.

What is the difference between a TEFL and TESOL?

​TEFL and TESOL are both acronyms for teaching English to non-native speakers. Both acronyms can be used to describe qualifications that certify you to teach English as a foreign language.

To a larger extent, both TEFL and TESOL are used interchangeably.

What is a TEFL teacher?

A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) teacher refers to teaching the English language to adults and children whose first language is not English. TEFL can occur either within the state school system or, more privately, at a language school or with a tutor. If you’re fluent in English, want to get paid to travel the world and have creative planning skills, consider a career teaching English as a foreign language. Related article: Which qualities make a good TEFL teacher?

What do you learn in a TEFL course?

A TEFL course covers topics including teaching language skills, grammar, lesson planning and classroom management. A TEFL course will teach you how to:

  • teach English language skills, reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
  • simplify English grammar concepts for ELLs (English Language Learners)
  • plan lessons to be able to deliver effective lessons that meet class learning objectives and promote productive learning
  • manage a classroom and student behaviour to create a welcoming and safe learning environment
  • identify learning styles to adapt lessons to suit students and their needs
  • create effective learning materials
  • find, adapt and personalise a variety of materials for use in the classroom.

How quickly can I get TEFL certified and begin teaching abroad?

Our average student takes 4 – 6 weeks to complete our Level 5 TEFL Course and our students have 6 months to complete the course.

Do I need to be a native speaker of English to study a TEFL course?

You do not need to be a native speaker to study our course. Roughly 20% of our students are non-native speakers.

What level should my English be?

Native speakers of English will naturally be above the minimum standard of English for this course. Non-native speakers should have an English level of C1 (Advanced) as a minimum. If you are not sure what level your English is there are several websites where you can test it yourself, for example:

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/content

http://www.cambridgeenglish.org/test-your-english/general-english

https://www.examenglish.com/leveltest

C1 is the level represented by the following public exams:

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) General Level 4

Trinity ISE III Trinity GESE Grades 10 and 11

Cambridge CAE Grade A, B or C

IELTS score 6.5-7.5

Michigan ECPE TOEFL score 95-120

TOIEIC Listening: 490-495 Reading 455 Speaking: 180 Writing: 180

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Accreditation Partners

The TEFL Academy was the world’s first TEFL course provider to receive official recognition from government regulated awarding bodies in both the USA and UK. This means when you graduate you’ll hold a globally recognised Level 3 (120hr) Certificate or Level 5 (168hr) Diploma, meaning you can find work anywhere and apply for jobs immediately.

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