English teacher training courses include TEFL, ESL, and TESOL. Each of these credentials, on the other hand, prepares educators for a specific type of teaching environment. One style of course may be a better fit for your international teaching objectives than another. Continue reading to make the best selection possible, choose the best certificate for you, and become a successful English teacher in another country!
Keep in mind that if you’re an aspiring English teacher with an idea of where you’d like to teach and an image of the type of organization or school you’d like to be a part of, deciding which English teaching certification course is perfect for you will be much easier.
First, let’s look at each sort of teaching certification to see what makes them different and beneficial.
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language:
TEFL courses are designed to give teachers the skills they need to teach English to students in countries where the language is not their first language. As a result, you will learn how to manage a classroom of students learning English as a second language in an area where English is not widely spoken throughout TEFL courses.
A TEFL qualification is the most frequently accepted sort of teaching certification in non-native English-speaking countries around the world due to the large number of countries where this type of English language education is desired and appropriate. Furthermore, TEFL certification earned from respectable organizations, such as reputed colleges and universities, is better regarded than TESOL courses. Education systems in non-English speaking countries all over the world almost always suit the TEFL bill.
Once you have your TEFL certification, you can choose from a variety of non-native English-speaking nations to call home. TEFL certified English teachers are in high demand in China, Japan, and South Korea. A variety of schools and academic institutions in East and West Asia, portions of Africa and the Middle East, as well as Europe and South America, demand certified English instructors on a regular basis.
A TEFL certificate is useful when applying for a variety of teaching positions. It may even be needed in some cases, while it may be a substantial resume enhancement in others. ESL employment, entry-level licensed teaching positions, experienced licensed teaching positions, and administrative responsibilities are all available for TEFL teachers working abroad.
TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages:
TESOL courses were developed more recently than TEFL and TESL courses. A TESOL course builds on the basic principles of each of the previous teaching certifications to prepare teachers to teach in both non-native English-speaking nations and English-speaking countries.
For those who are unsure about their future career plans, obtaining a TESOL certification may be the best option. TESOL could be a wonderful place to start for people interested in teaching English both at home and abroad.
However, certain job seekers may face obstacles if they have a TESOL certificate because TESOL is a newer credential; it may not be as well-regarded as a TEFL, as abroad curricula prefer TEFL-qualified applicants. A TESOL certification may not be accepted as a genuine ESL teaching certificate by some schools and organizations.
A word of advice to anyone thinking about doing a TESOL course: figure out what you want to do with your life and make sure that TESOL is a better option than both TEFL and TESL. Remember that TEFL and TESL courses include subjects that are more specific to the language learners you will be teaching. TESOL courses are designed to teach both EFL and ESL language learners, and they have the ability to make your instruction less specific.
ESL- Teaching English as a Second Language:
Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a high-demand topic that is growing in popularity in schools around the country. The number of kids whose native language is not English continues to rise as more children from other countries relocate to the United States and enroll in schools here. As a result, many schools offer English Language Learners (ELL) programmes, which are also known as English as a Second Language (ESL) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (ESOL). English is an important aspect of educational growth since it is the predominant spoken language in a country with a long history of immigration and cultural diversity.
ESL is a supplemental, all-encompassing English language programme for students attempting to learn the language in order to function more effectively in American society. Despite the fact that ESL is supplemental, ESL teachers may still be hired by public schools. Many schools, particularly in metropolitan areas, have programmes in which students devote a portion of their school day to learning English in a small group under the supervision of an ESL teacher. Other ESL teachers may be hired by private institutes to provide English tutoring to non-native English speakers.
Are you perplexed? Let’s go back to the beginning:
*TEFL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages in Non-native English Speaking Countries.
*ESL refers to the teaching of English to non-native English speakers in native English-speaking countries.
*TESOL is a programme that teaches English to speakers of other languages in both non-native and native English-speaking countries.