Terminology Explained

What is the difference (if any) between: TEFL, TESOL, ESL, EFL, EAL and CELTA?

This is a very common question, particularly amongst new or aspiring English language teachers. I get asked this question all the time, so I thought I would explain the differences clearly once and for all. So, if you’re not really sure what they all mean – don’t worry – you are certainly not alone! These terms can be especially confusing when you are thinking about becoming a teacher and taking a course or getting a qualification (which this guide also explores). Fear not though friend, this article will help guide you through the maze of terminology before you take too many wrong turns!

TEFL

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. This is a widely used acronym, if not the most popular one in use globally. However, it has fallen out of favour with some groups of people because the word ‘foreign’ can have negative connotations and some believe the term is insufficiently politically correct (i.e. it may cause offence to some). That said, it’s still very popular and an acceptable term to use for most (but do remember it won’t be appreciated by all).

TESOL

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. This is the second most common acronym in use, broadly speaking. ‘Speakers of other languages’ is essentially a longer and more politically correct way of saying ‘foreign’. You will see TEFL and TESOL terms used completely interchangeably. As a rule of thumb, TEFL tends to be more popular in the USA while TESOL is more widely used in the UK and Europe. TESOL is my personal preference but feel free to pick one or simply use both.

EFL

EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language. The same connotations surrounding the use of the word ‘foreign’ remain in play here. Use of the word also suggests that English is not a main language but instead could be one of many. The term itself does not hint at its relative importance. EFL means pretty much the same as the other terms. The only noticeable difference is that it does not refer to any kind of teaching and is usually used to refer to students, e.g. you might say: I am an EFL student. Interestingly, people who prefer to use TEFL also tend to prefer EFL over ESL but this is not a hard and fast rule.

ESL

ESL stands for English as a Second Language. The use of the word ‘second’ suggests that the language is a main or at least an important one to the user.  As you may have guessed by now, just as with EFL above, it means pretty much the same thing as the other terms. The only real difference is the lack of reference to teaching although you could refer to yourself as an ESL teacher or learner. Generally speaking, people who prefer to use TESOL also tend to favour ESL rather than EFL.

EAL

EAL stands for English as an Additional Language. ‘Additional’ is simply as a synonym of ‘other’ and means exactly the same thing. However, while it might mean the same as the other terms, EAL does have a key distinction. This difference is not related to its meaning but to its usage. EAL is used to refer to students in mainstream (primary and secondary) schools in the U.K. as well as international schools and beyond. So, you should only use this term if you intend to support language learners within the mainstream schooling system.

Should I do a TEFL or a TESOL course? (And what is a CELTA?)

So, when you see an advert for a teacher training course, keep these key differences in mind. Essentially, TEFL is the same thing as TESOL. This means that one cannot be better than the other! (However, in the context of qualifications, you may see TESOL in the context of Trinity TESOL, one of the most well recognised certificates - see below) But it’s not the name of the course that’s important so much as what it actually contains. So forget the name and focus on the course content: What does it teach? How does it teach it? Will it be useful for me? The key thing to consider is its duration and 120-hours has become an informal industry minimum so do look out for this. Another thing to look for is observed teaching practice, the best courses will offer a minimum of 6-8 hours with formal feedback.

The other key factor to consider is the price. If the course is only $/£/€20 then it is unlikely to be good quality! You certainly wouldn’t expect $/£/€20 car, computer or mobile phone to be of good quality would you! So, think it through, why would a cheap TEFL/TESOL course be good? Really this topic should be an article in itself (and you can read that article about training courses here). However, I will offer a caution: many schools and institutions require a higher level of qualification such as the ‘gold standard’ CELTA or Trinity TESOL.

So what does CELTA stand for? Originally, it was Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, and the teacher training is still done with learners who are over 18. However, now that it has become another of the most widely recognised and accepted qualifications, they weren’t going to change their acronym, even with many CELTA-qualified teachers going on to work with younger learners. So the CELTA is now ‘officially’ the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (There’s that TESOL again).

You should also consider what the course will do for you. Especially in terms of pay (we all need money don’t we?) That also means that if you do manage to secure work with one of these basic 120-hour qualifications you will likely be paid significantly less than teachers with higher qualifications. These ‘gold’ standard courses are, however, much longer (typically 4 weeks full-time) and more expensive (over $/£/€1000)’ therefore, you should carefully consider your options before you commit to a course.

Interesting, sure, but what do you know about TEFL? What are your qualifications and background?

You can find my full teaching profile which lists my qualifications and experience here.

Questions?

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