ELTWeekly Vol. 5 Issue#36 | October 7, 2013 | ISSN 0975-3036
Ben Davies has posted an article titled “Guide to Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL)” on jobs.ac.uk.
Ben says, “TEFL, CELTA, TESOL, DELTA… all of these acronyms relate to one thing: teaching English as a foreign language. The range of courses on offer can be quite confusing. Are you looking for a short course or an internationally recognised qualification? Are you new to teaching or have you been lecturing for 20 years? Our one stop guide to these qualifications should equip you to make an informed course choice.
TESOL or CELTA?
The two most well known qualifications are Trinity TESOL (Trinity College London Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and CELTA (Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults). Both are widely recognised by employers and by official bodies. The difference between the two courses is surprisingly little. The aim of each course is to equip adult learners with the skills to teach English to non-native students. At the same time, they address some of the issues the both teachers and learners face in the classroom. You will be expected to understand a certain amount of theory. Both courses also require you to be observed actually teaching small classes for a certain amount of time (roughly six hours). If you pass either of these courses, then you will be well-equipped to begin your career as an English teacher abroad.
Although TESOL is affiliated with Trinity College London, and CELTA with Cambridge University, both courses are conducted at independent study centres such as colleges in the UK and abroad”.