March 18th, 2011 
jvremec
The Difference Between ESL and EFL, or TESOL
Author: A. Nutt
English as a Second Language, or ESL, has many similarities to English as a Foreign Language, or EFL. In fact, the two types of learning may seem the same to some observers. However, there are some notable differences between these two approaches to learning English. The terms are often used interchangeably, but understanding the differences can help you to be clear when you speak of them. Also, the term Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is sometimes used in place of ESL or EFL, depending on the situation.
English as a Second Language, or ESL, is a term typically used in Canada, Australia, and the United States to refer to people who come to the country with another primary language and learn to speak English secondarily. It is also sometimes used to speak of people who live in a country where English is the official language, but the vast majority of the population speak another native tongue. Thus, English is the second (or third or fourth in many cases) language learned by the individual.
The goal of teaching ESL is to teach the individual to speak enough of the language to function within society. In other words, the goal is to help the individual function in their new country, attend school if applicable, and get a job. The goal is not to make the individual as fluent in English as he or she is in the native tongue.
What Is EFL?
English as a Foreign Language, or EFL, refers to learning English in a country where English is not the spoken language. This is in contrast to ESL, where the individual is learning the language in a country that has English as its primary language. In many countries, EFL is taught in the public school system, as English is quickly becoming an internationally important language. Sometimes the term EFL can be used to describe the learning of English in an English-speaking country when just visiting for a short period of time with the intention of learning the language.
Most people who learn EFL do so in order to graduate from their school program. Some will learn the language in their home country in order to help them succeed in their line of work if they are working for a company that has an international scope. For instance, someone living in India who learns English in order to work at a call center could be described as learning EFL.
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Sometimes the term Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) is used to describe both ESL and EFL. It is used in England, for instance, to replace the term ESL, as this term assumes English is the second, not third or fourth, language of the student. It is typically used when teaching immigrants, usually adults, as other terms are used within the school system when teaching non-native English speaking students. In the United States, however, the term TESOL has become an umbrella term used by people who teach non-native English speakers, regardless of whether they are teaching ESL or EFL.
As more and more people are immigrating to English-speaking countries and English continues to become the language of international commerce and trade, the need for both ESL and EFL programs that do a good job of teaching English to non-native speakers will continue to increase. The Internet is making it even easier for people to learn English as an additional language. The demand for these programs is not likely to decrease any time in the near future, so teachers who can teach English to speakers of other languages are going to have job security for many years.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/education-articles/the-difference-between-esl-and-efl-or-tesol-734498.html
About the Author
Speaking more that one language is very common these days. Learning English as a second language is easy… learn English at your own pace in your own environment with online English school courses.
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What are some ESL programs out there to be certified in?
Besides Oxford Seminars, what other ESL programs are out there to obtain certification. I know there are universities that have ESL certification programs, but I want to narrow the search down a bit. I would like to go to Spain to teach ESL and continue in my study in Spanish. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Meredith in Raleigh, NC offers an undergraduate degree and a masters. My mom got hers there.
Getting ESL certification?
I’m currently going to the University of Akron for Spanish and Education and I will be done by next year. I would like to get TESOL certification and my University offers it but it is a 23 credit program, so I’m looking at a lot more money and more time stuck at school, so are there any legitimate online programs to get certification from that will be usable in most states, such as Ohio, Virginia, or the Carolinas?
I’m looking at the American TESOL Institute
http://www.americantesol.com/
It would probably take me a month or two to get it done online and I’d have my certification, but I can’t tell if it’s accredited. And I really don’t want to have to go teach abroad to get the certification.
Any suggestions?
Hi!
First of all, DO NOT take an on line course. Most schools will not recognize these types of “certificates”. On line courses are really not recognized by most employers. For one reason, you won’t get the necessary teaching practice during the course and you won’t be able to be observed by experienced trainers in order to find out what you are doing right or wrong. For another, most on line courses are less than 100 hours. TEFL courses in general are recognized internationally as long as they meet the industry standard of being at least 100 hours, having a minimum of 6 hours of teaching practice observed by an experienced trainer, and having qualified teacher trainers.
That being said, you might want to think about doing a course abroad. I did one last year in Prague and have been teaching ever since. http://www.teflworldwideprague.com/
It was a really great course, and I got practice teaching from the 2nd day. You really can’t get that kind of experience in an English speaking country. Also, a TEFL school that is accredited will tell you up front, or at least a good one will. The course I did is accredited by the Czech Ministry of education and someplace else too.
Anyway, even if you can’t go to Prague to take the course check out the site as something to compare other schools to. It is top notch and well worth it. I felt ready for any classroom situation when I graduated.
Hope this helps!
Can a non education or english major still apply for ESL or TESOL certification?
I’m graduating after this year and am not an education or english major/minor. Can I still apply for and become certified in a TESOL or ESL program? I would be doing so in Kentucky.
Thanks in Advance!
Yes. TESOL, TEFL, or TESL certificates are initial teaching qualifications designed for people with no related experience or training. If you hadn’t finished secondary school (high school) it would be a problem, but even people with no Degree can take these kinds of training courses – although in most foreign countries you’d need a Degree (any major) to get a visa.
The Cambridge CELTA and the Trinity Certificate TESOL are the two most widely known and respected, and I would suggest getting one of these (many employers don’t trust other kinds unless they can see absolute proof that they involved over 120 hours of study and assessed teaching practice).
How do I become an ESL teacher?
I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Illinois State (wish I took another route, but oh well) and I really would love to be an ESL teacher. I took Spanish and Arabic classes in college and would love to take more and incorporate that with my love for teaching children. I looked online and all I can find are online college programs for ESL certification. I would rather go to an actual campus than take online classes. Does anyone know how long it takes to be certified? How about the steps it takes to become an ESL teacher in Illinois or America. Thanks so much!
In order to become an ESL teacher one requires a professional ESL certification.
Are there any International ESL programs that guarantee job placement?
I’ve been looking into teaching english as a second language in another country but before I commit to a certain program I want a guarantee (or a least a high chance) of job placement. Does anyone know of a certification program that offers this? Thanks =)
A BA and a 100-hour TESOL/TEFL certificate is the minimum requirement for obtaining an entry-level job in another country. A certificate such as TESL Canada, Trinity CertTESOL, CELTA or a reputable certificate of 120 hours and a real teaching practice module would give you a better chance for career advancement and higher wages.
See links below