TEFL vs TESL
TEFL vs TESL?
Choosing a course for you
” The only source of knowledge is experience” – Albert Einstein
TEACHME TEFL
With so many different names and course available it is hard to decide which course is best for you.
Simply put TEFL and TESL are interchangeable when it comes to teaching abroad. Most employees ask for a TEFL or TESL certificate with a minimum of 100 hours.
To understand the difference we have defined these two acronyms:
TESL – This stands for Teaching English as a Second Language; this qualification refers to teaching English to students whose first language is not English, but they are located in a country where English is the first language.
TEFL – This stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language; this refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the first language.
Generally, most teachers hold a TEFL certificate, this is the most widely used acronym and is recognised by most countries that you may be interested to teach in.
It is also important to remember that there is generally a minimum hourly requirement of 100 hours for your employer to accept your qualification.
“TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language”
“TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language”
You no doubt have seen there are many different TEFL course available which makes choosing a course hard, however here are some tips to choose a course that will best meet your needs.
What you first need to consider is what you want out of your TEFL course.
Remember, since you are a native speaker you already speak English. You have been in training for this career since your first words, your decades of experience will be more valuable than your short TEFL course.
In terms of time, generally the minimum requirement is 100 hours. When you apply for your teaching job, employers will ask for your TEFL or TESL certificate, they aren’t looking at if you have completed 120 hours or 600 hours, they are just looking for your qualification.
Do you need to be taught, how to teach? Many course teach English but they don’t teach you how to be a teacher, if you don’t already have teaching experience you may choose to look for a course that includes units on teaching methods, techniques and tips.
It is also important to bear in mind that there is no official regulating body for TEFL or TESL qualifications. There are over 30 bodies that accredit courses, however there is no authorising body accrediting these ‘accrediting bodies’. You may choose a course that is accredited, however be sure to also research the accrediting body to ensure the accreditation standards guarantee quality and don’t just provide a logo on a website.
Why TeachMe TEFL?
We created this course after completing a variety of TEFL and TESL qualifications.
Each course taught English basics but not how to actually teach.
The courses provided the qualification needed but did not provide us with the skills or practical application of the information provided.
We created this course for native English speakers who want to become English teachers.
The course is designed by teachers for teachers.
TeachMe TEFL will provide you with the skills and practical application for you to confidently start your teaching career.
The course includes the following units:
Teach
This unit covers different teaching styles and how they can be used to motivate a class. The principles of a good teacher, how to inspire your students to learn.
Plan
In this unit you will learn how to best manage your classroom and students. Also how to deal with the most common obstacles teachers face, both online and face-to-face.
How to teach: Grammar
This is NOT a revision of the entire English language, as a native speaker you already ‘know’ English. This unit instead recaps the basic grammar that most TEFL teachers teach and also provides examples and exercises you can use to teach grammar to your students.
How to teach: Pronunciation
Often as native speakers we simply know how to pronounce words since we have been speaking for decades. However our students need to not only learn the words but also how to sound natural. This unit provides proven tips and tricks to help your students improve their pronunciation.
How to teach: Listening and Reading
These are the receptive skills, often the first skills students learn. In this unit you will learn how to effectively teach these skills and how to incorporate receptive skills in each of your lessons.
How to teach: Speaking and Writing
These are the productive skills, learn how to teach and include productive skills in all of your classes.
How to: Assess
To be an effective teacher you need to know how your students are progressing and tailor your approach to meet their needs. In this unit you will learn the importance of assessment and how to include assessment in your lesson plans.
At the completion of the TeachMe TEFL course you will be issued with a 120 hour TEFL certification, the standard required by employers and you will be ready to start your teaching career.
Start your teaching career today! Click on the button below to apply now!