TEFL TESOL Certificate Courses

What is TEFL or TESOL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL stands for Teaching English to the Speakers of Other Languages. TESOL/TEFL is teachers training certificates mostly required by teachers who aspire to teach English as a second language. English is now the lingua franca of the world and the non English speaking nations have understood the importance of this language. ESL/EFL/ESOL teachers are in great demand across the globe and an accredited TEFL certificate enhances the credibility of the teachers of second language English.

TEFL or TESOL is a scientific mythology applied to teach English to the speakers of other languages. It gives the students a chance to learn English is the quickest and the easiest way possible. TEFL or TESOL can be further divided into Business English training and Young Learners training. Business English and Young Learners cater to two completely different groups of students with totally different need.

TEFL is not only for Native English speakers. Non native English speakers with good command over the language can also become an ESL teacher. Teachers with a TEFL certificate are hired in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa. These teachers are eligible for good salary along with excellent perks. In few countries, like China, Thailand, Japan and France, the English teachers can expect to get very good salary. ESL teaching can be taken as full time careers in these countries.

The major factor behind the high popularity of TESOL and TEFL is that it gives the English teachers a ticket to the world. Being a certified English teacher gives the teachers a chance to travel around the world and earn a living simultaneously. A TEFL course is perfect for the ESL teachers with an adventurous spirit. If you love traveling and experiencing new culture, there is nothing like teaching English in exotic destinations.

TEFL/TESOL certificate equips teachers for teaching in regular schools, working as a corporate trainer, taking private tuitions and working in language schools. The opportunities of ESL teachers are quite wide and it gives a chance to travel across candidates.

You can enroll for TEFL courses i.e. Teaching English as a Foreign Language and become English language facilitators in countries where English is not in everyday use and the indigenous population communicates in their native tongue and for all matters of business and communication fluency in the indigenous language is sufficient. We are talking about countries like China, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Peru etc.

TEFL courses also go by names like ESL or TESOL courses. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages is commonly known as TESOL, courses which primarily help train teachers to become a certified English teacher qualified to teach English to immigrants in native English speaking countries. ESL stands for English as Second Language and a TEFL certification or TESOL certification is the same as ESL certification. They all train candidates who are fluent in English or are native speakers of the language to become English teachers.

TESOL courses are provided by many companies in different parts of the world, the course is offered both in class and on line mode. The duration is usually 120 hours with extensive practical teaching experience. The salient feature of TESOL and TEFL courses is the hands on teaching experience that the trainees undergo during the course. Besides the scientific language teaching techniques the TESOL courses also offer insight into the different language teaching methodologies and theories that have evolved over the years. The trainees are also taught effective lesson planning which make language learning exciting and achievable.

Doing a TESOL course or TEFL course also empowers one with the ability to help people realize their dreams of being part of the global community. As today English is the language the world of business and commerce communicates in; and it seems prosperity and success is inextricably linked with ‘knowing English’.

If one is a native English speaker or has near native fluency one can easily get a TEFL certificate and travel the world teaching English and changing lives. TEFL Certificate can be equated with wining a ‘golden ticket’, a pass that will open doors which were hitherto inaccessible. With TEFL certificate in hand you can find jobs as a teacher in schools, at the language institute and at the university. You may also find a position in the corporate sector as a Voice and Accent trainer. If you wish to be on your own you can earn sufficient money from private tutoring. As the demand for English is on the rise so are the opportunities for English teachers.

TEFL certification is now easily acquired provided you are proficient in English with preferably a university degree or at least high school graduation degree. If you meet these two criteria you can earn a TEFL certificate after successful completion of TEFL course. Any one between the ages of 18 to 65 years can work for TEFL certification and find ESL jobs in interesting destinations.