What is TESOL & TESOL Certification?

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

TESOL is often used as a synonym for TEFL, though it is often used to refer to teaching English to non-native speakers in an English-speaking country. 

While TEFL is the term generally used in the UK and Europe, TESOL is more likely to be heard in the United States, Canada and Australia. In this sense, the origins can be understood to refer to non-English speakers who have immigrated to an English-speaking country. 

In this context, you’ll often be teaching learners that will use the local language to engage with their new surroundings and improve their English for work and study. If you are a TESOL teacher, you’re likely to be teaching English as a second or foreign language in an English-medium school. 

You could teach English to non-native speakers in a language centre in an English-speaking country, but this can be termed TEFL. In this case, your classes will be multinational and multilingual.  

As with TEFL, TESOL is also the name given to the qualification you need to be able to teach English in an EFL context. While the qualification is generally the same thing, you’ll find that American, Canadian and Australian teachers and websites might refer to TESOL while the rest of the world calls it TEFL.

If you decide to study TEFL at a degree level, these degrees are commonly referred to as TESOL degrees, for example, an MA in TESOL.

Besides TEFL, there are a bunch of other acronyms and abbreviations you might come across in this field. And you’d be right to be confused when trawling the internet and reading about TEFL and TESOL and EFL and ESL and TESL – who wouldn’t be? What do they all mean? 

Let’s find out.

​TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language

TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language

TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

Some teachers make a distinction between TEFL and TESOL, and TESL. TEFL and TESOL refers to teaching English in a country where English is not spoken, such as Thailand. TESL then teaches English in a country where English is spoken, such as the United States. Generally speaking, the terms are used interchangeably.

An example of TEFL would be a teacher from the UK teaching English in Thailand while an example of TESOL would be a teacher at a language school in the US who teaches students who migrated to the US.

In a nutshell, TEFL, TESL, TESOL: do they all mean the same thing?  For all practical purposes, yes they are the same thing. They both involve teaching English to non-native speakers. There might be small differences in curriculum and context but the overall course contents are similar.  

TESOL certification is the qualification you need to teach English as a second or foreign language. It is a certificate you are awarded once you have completed a TESOL course.

TESOL is a general term for the certification. There is not one TESOL qualification. There are loads. Think of it as a teaching diploma. All teaching diplomas should cover the same basic content, but some diplomas will be more in-depth, some a higher quality, and others more expensive. 

So the next question is: what is the difference between all the different TESOL courses and TESOL qualifications?

If you want to teach English as a foreign language there are a few things that you should bear in mind: To be a TESOL teacher, you should

• know about theories of learning and teaching,
• have an awareness of the ins and outs of teaching in a classroom,
• have a thorough understanding of the English language, and
• be able to plan and execute effective English lessons.

It’s a myth that if you speak English you can teach English. You wouldn’t hire someone to fix your car just because they know how to drive, would you? This is why it’s important to do a TESOL course and get a TESOL certification before you step into the classroom. 

This is why employers all over the world prefer teachers with a TESOL (or TEFL) certification.

The requirements for a TESOL certification vary according to the provider. To do a TEFL course with The TEFL Academy, you need to:

• be at least 18 years old, 
• a native English speaker, 
• or have an English level of Advanced (C1) or higher.

If you’re a non-native English speaker and you’re not sure if your English level meets the requirements for a TESOL certification, British Council and Cambridge Assessment English offer tests you can use to assess your English proficiency.

It’s quite simple. 

To get a TESOL certification you need to do a TESOL course. Once you have successfully completed a TESOL course, you’ll receive your TESOL certification which you’ll use to apply for jobs. 

Whether you want to teach English abroad or locally, our Level 5 TEFL certification meets all TESOL qualification requirements. Enrol in our Level 5 TEFL course today and take the first step towards an exciting and rewarding teaching career!

TESOL certification lasts a lifetime. There is no expiry date on your TESOL certificate. However, as you get more experience as a TESOL teacher you might want to look at upgrading your TESOL certification with additional specialised courses.

With TESOL certification, career opportunities abound. With a TESOL qualification, you can:

• teach in schools, universities and language centres,
• teach on summer camps or homestays,
• teach privately and online,
• teach General English, Business English, English for Exams, English for Specific Purposes, 
• become a Head Teacher or Director of Studies,
• become an exam assessor,
• write and develop classroom materials,
• present at conferences,
• train teachers, or
• be a digital nomad.

The beauty of a TESOL certification is that if you fall in love with teaching (which is highly likely!), you can continue teaching until you can’t see the whiteboard anymore. Or you can use it as a stepping stone to a whole range of related careers.

Let’s get to the important bit: how to get started teaching English abroad or online.

1. Find a TESOL course: Choose a TESOL course provider that suits your needs and that is reputable, accredited and internationally recognised. We think we’re the right fit for you and you’ll be the right fit for us. 
2. Sign up for the TESOL course: Dedicate yourself to learning everything you can about TESOL, and reach out for help if you need it. When you sign up with us you’ll have access to a range of resources and support to help you succeed in your TESOL journey.
3. Ace the course: Because we know you will!
4. Receive your certificate: Congratulations, you’re now a qualified TESOL teacher and the only thing standing in your way is finding the perfect teaching job.
5. Find your dream TESOL job: And now you’re ready to apply for jobs and make your dreams come true! We have plenty of resources for our graduates to help you find the perfect TESOL job.

By beginning your TESOL journey with The TEFL Academy, you can benefit from our comprehensive and flexible courses, expert instructors, and ongoing support, all of which can set you up for success as a TEFL teacher and improve your chances of success.

Our courses are accredited in both the US and the UK and 200,000+ students have already taken our courses and are now changing lives across the globe.

So, what are you waiting for? Join the thousands of successful TESOL teachers who have kick-started their career with us and start making a difference in the world today!