WHAT IS TEFL?
Heard about TEFL Certificates but not sure what they are or about? TEFL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In plain terms, it is teaching English to non-native speakers. Other acronyms can be used such as TESOL, meaning Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Heard about TEFL Certificates but not sure what they are or about? TEFL is an acronym that stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. In plain terms, it is teaching English to non-native speakers. Other acronyms can be used such as TESOL, meaning Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. To become a TEFL/TESOL Teacher and to teach English to non-native speakers you have to gain certification.
A TEFL Certification is globally recognized and is a lifetime certification. There are different options to gain this certificate but most opt to study online and gain their qualification. When choosing a TEFL Course Provider you should check out if their courses are accredited and recognized worldwide. Avoid buying TEFL Certifications from sites such as Groupon as they will not be accredited.
Most employers look for a minimum of 120 hours of TEFL training. TEFL Courses range in how many hours you study and the level of certificate you can gain. For example, you could do a 120 Hour TEFL Course or a 300 Hour Level 5 Course. With a Level 5 Course in TEFL, it is a government-recognized certification. It would also be considered on the same level as the CELTA qualification. A CELTA qualification is highly upheld in the TEFL world.
How many hours you do depend on what you need and what you plan to teach. If you have a degree, a 120 Hour TEFL Course could be enough. If you don’t have a degree, consider going for more hours of study on your TEFL Course to help your resume stand out to employees. You can become a TEFL teacher without a degree but there could be some difficulties depending on the country you plan to teach in.
There are endless opportunities with a TEFL Certification under your belt! Many people who gain a TEFL Certification take the opportunity to work and live abroad. There are countless schools abroad looking for TEFL Teachers. There are also TEFL internships available in different countries where you have support as you live and work abroad.
Another opportunity you could have with a TEFL certificate is to teach English online. Online TEFL Teachers are in demand and there are numerous sites available to teach on for example Cambly https://www.cambly.com/en/tutors?lang=en.
You can also set up your own business or become a freelancer with TEFL. The opportunities are endless!
While you begin to immerse yourself in the TEFL world there are plenty of new terms and acronyms you wouldn’t have heard of before. Check out the list below to learn more about the TEFL world:
This is a type of learning style. If you are an Auditory Learner you learn better by hearing and listening. An example of this is learning through listening to a lecture or getting instructions read out to you.
This is a specific type of TEFL Teaching. Students for Business English are generally adults looking to learn English skills for careers and other opportunities.
This stands for Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is an internationally recognized certificate teacher training program provided by Cambridge.
This is a type of teaching method used within the classroom. Students can’t use their native language in the classroom, this allows for full immersion of the English language.
English for Speakers of Other Languages
English for Specific Purposes
These are short activities used in the classroom. They can be used to fill time during a lesson or at the end of it. An example of a filler would be playing a game.
This teaching method was formerly known as the classical method. It is a type of teaching method that focuses mainly on grammar rules, vocabulary, and translating large texts into English.
Stands for International English Language Testing System. This exam is taken by students for different purposes such as applying for higher education, training programs, work, or migrating.
JET stands for The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme. It allows TEFL Teachers to live and work in Japan. It is a good option for first-time teachers as there is more support available.
Being a Kinesthetic Learner is another form of learning style. Kinesthetic Learners learn best through hands-on experience. An example of this is learning through games or experiments.
A lesson plan is a structured breakdown of what you are going to teach in the classroom. It gives purpose to your lesson and would be based on your students’ goals for learning English.
A term used to describe your student’s native language.
A process of finding out what your students need and want to learn. You can ask questions or have your students fill out a form. It is also a good way to find out why your student is learning English.
PPP stands for presentation, practice, and production. It is a type of teaching method used in the TEFL classroom.
Realia is using different types of objects and materials can be used as teaching aids. Examples of realia could be restaurant menus and photographs.
A syllabus a requisite document for teaching in that it serves to outline the basic elements of a course. They help structure lesson plans.
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language while TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language.
TOEIC stands for The Test of English for International Communication. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOEIC is used to test a student’s English proficiency within the global workplace while TOEFL measures academic communication skills. Non-native speakers would do TOEIC and TOEFL tests.
One of the three learning styles. Visual Learners learn best by seeing the information they need to learn. An example of this is learning through different types of media or with graphs.
Another niche area you could focus on with your TEFL Certification. From the age of 4 to 16 there are plenty of children learning English as a second language across the world.
Gaining a TEFL Certification can lead to many opportunities including traveling the world. If you would like to gain your certification check out our range of online courses: https://teflinstitute.com/
The TEFL Institute
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