What Is TESOL? What Is TEFL? Which Certificate Is Better – TEFL or TESOL?

You’ve been doing your research into getting certified to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) and you keep also running across the term TESOL. So, what is TESOL? Is TESOL certification the same as TEFL, or is it different? The short answer is that although there is a subtle difference in meaning, the terms TEFL and TESOL are usually used interchangeably when it comes to certification in teaching English.

Let’s break it down with an in-depth exploration of the most frequently asked questions about TESOL certification, from definitions to types of TESOL courses to what you can do with TESOL certification. With this knowledge, you can make informed choices and carve out a personalized career path.

Is TEFL the same as TESOL?

These two acronyms are umbrella terms for training courses offered online or in person (or a blend of both) that prepare English language teachers. Although technically these terms have somewhat different meanings, when it comes to getting certified to teach English as a foreign language or getting hired as a teacher, TEFL and TESOL are used interchangeably. In fact, when you’re shopping around for online TEFL courses, you may even see them described as “TEFL/TESOL courses.” Similarly, schools that hire teachers will make no distinction between the two. You might see an ad for a teaching job that requires “TEFL/TESOL certification,” for example.

Is TESOL better than TEFL?

In the context of getting certified and applying to jobs, one is not better than the other; they are simply two terms commonly used to describe the same certification. Yet, despite the fact that the terms are used interchangeably by most TEFL providers, language schools, and online teaching companies, there are subtle differences between the two. So, what is the difference between TEFL and TESOL? Let’s take a deeper look at these acronyms to explain.

Find out how to choose the best TEFL certification.

What does TEFL stand for?

What is TEFL? TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It refers to teaching English in a country where English is not a primary language (rather, it is a foreign language). An example of TEFL would be a teacher from the U.S. teaching English in Taiwan.

What does TESOL stand for?

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Does that sound more general? It is. TESOL includes teaching English as a foreign language (such as in the Taiwan example), as well as teaching English as a second language (TESL), meaning in a country where the primary language is English. An example of TESL would be a teacher at an English language institute in the U.S. who teaches students from around the world. A teacher like this would have TESL certification.

The important thing to keep in mind is that although there is technically a distinction between these two terms, they are widely used interchangeably, so either a TEFL or TESOL certificate will meet certification requirements for jobs teaching English. One exception to this is in reference to university-level studies. For example, if you decided to pursue a degree in teaching English, you’d earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree in TESOL, not TEFL.

What is TESOL certification good for?

TESOL certification, just like its equivalent, TEFL certification, is what you need if you plan to become an EFL or ESL instructor either in a traditional classroom or online. You’ll see this requirement listed in TEFL job postings for online teaching companies, English language schools, and other institutes around the world that hire English teachers. Usually, a TEFL/ TESOL certificate of 120 hours is the minimum standard to qualify for these types of jobs.

If you’re not sure whether you’d like to teach English online, abroad, or some combination of the two, opt for a course like the Master Certificate + Teaching English Online Certification Bundle, a comprehensive, 240-hour course that qualifies you for both jobs online and worldwide.

Meanwhile, you can also take TEFL/TESOL courses for various specializations. For example, you can help ESL learners prepare for English proficiency exams like the Pearson Test of English (PTE) or the IELTS. You can get TEFL/TESOL training specific to these niches, such as Micro-credentials in Teaching IELTS Exam Prep and Teaching PTE Test Prep.

Bridge alum Shella teaches at an international school in Taiwan. “I teach grade two international class and the grade three bilingual class,” she said. “I teach math and language arts to grade two and science [to grade three].”

She completed the Teaching English to Young Learners Specialized Certification course. “I learned a lot in the course,” she said. “It gave me a wider perspective on how I teach. And as I’m multilingual, it’s easier.”

What TEFL/TESOL certification do you need to teach English online? Find out!

What are the requirements for TESOL certification?

For most online or in-person TESOL courses, the only requirement to sign up is to have an English language level sufficient to succeed in the course. For non-native English speakers, the recommended level for certification usually ranges from a B1 to C2 CEFR level (CEFR is the Common European Framework of Reference, an internationally used standard for describing language ability level).

Each TESOL/TEFL provider will have its own guidelines regarding the required English level, which can vary somewhat depending on the academic rigor of the course. For most of Bridge’s professional certification courses, you’ll need to have a B1 CEFR level. You can find out details about certification prerequisites for additional courses by reading these TEFL/TESOL FAQs.

For the most part, there are no requirements for TEFL/TESOL certification beyond English language proficiency. You don’t need to have a college degree, nor do you need any technical expertise to take an online certification. That being said, there are a few TEFL/TESOL programs that are more advanced, or even university level (offering college credit), that may, therefore, have additional requirements beyond language level, such as a minimum education (a high school or university diploma).

How do I get TESOL certification?

You can get TESOL certification online – the most common way – or complete in-person courses. Online TESOL courses come in a range of hours, such as 40, 60, 100, 120, or 150, and usually provide the flexibility to complete coursework when it’s convenient for you. A 40-hour or 60-hour course will usually be introductory, providing basic training as an introduction to TESOL. Most employers will require a minimum 120-hour TESOL certification, so a course such as the 120-hour Bridge Master TEFL/TESOL Certificate will prepare you well and meet or exceed certification requirements for a variety of ESL/EFL jobs around the world.

What is a TESOL course?

A TESOL course prepares educators to teach English to non-native speakers. TESOL certification is required to teach English in a traditional classroom or online. It will also generally meet requirements for teaching English abroad, at many private schools, and with language academies.

A TESOL course will provide training in ELT theories and teaching methodologies, classroom management, lesson planning, and more. Specialized TESOL courses will provide targeted training in specific skills like teaching grammar or ELT niches like teaching English test prep.

How much does it cost to get a TESOL certificate?

The cost of TEFL/TESOL certification courses varies depending on different factors, such as whether you take an online or in-person course, the number of hours of certification, whether the course includes tutor interaction, and the level of the course. You can expect to pay about $200 USD for a very minimal online TESOL certification (of about 40 hours) and closer to $400-500 USD for an online certification of 100 hours or more. If you opt for university-level online training or a classroom-based TESOL course, the tuition can be substantially higher – usually between $1,000 to $2,500 USD.

Read more about why selecting an accredited TEFL/TESOL course matters.

Is a TESOL certificate worth it?

There are many different TESOL certifications, but those that meet the typical job requirements of 120 hours will qualify you for jobs around the world, opening opportunities to teach English abroad, teach English as a digital nomad, or teach English online. Whether you teach for a school, freelance for an online company, or launch your own business as a teacherpreneur, TESOL certification will help you meet qualification requirements and showcase your expertise.

Roberta Serralvo teaches in person at a private elementary school, online for Bridge Corporate Language Learning, and online independently tutoring English test prep. She completed the Teaching Business English Specialized Certification course and shared how helpful it was for discovering teaching materials and gaining new perspectives.

“When you have to deal with the stakeholders, it is a different approach, from presenting grades to being flexible with students,” she said. “The specialized course opened my eyes to working with companies. I’m not only dealing with the student; I’m also dealing with a company that’s investing in its employees.”

How long does it take to get a TESOL certificate?

It usually takes between one to three months to complete a self-paced online TESOL course. This depends on the number of hours the course consists of (they can be anywhere from 40 to more than 150 hours) and how much time you can dedicate to working on your course each week. Most people choose to take a TEFL/TESOL course of 120 hours to qualify for most teaching jobs, and this type would take about six weeks to complete, working on it part-time.

Classroom-based TESOL courses, on the other hand, are almost always four weeks long since they are intensive, full-time training.

How long does TESOL certification last?

TESOL certification does not expire; once you receive your TESOL certificate, it lasts a lifetime. Some teachers continue building on their initial certification to qualify for more jobs by upgrading their course to add more hours of training or by earning a Specialized TEFL/TESOL Certificate in a high-demand teaching area, such as teaching English online or teaching young learners, or a shorter TEFL/TESOL Micro-credential course certificate in a current ESL topic, such as Teaching English Using Podcasts.

Find out what comes next after you complete your TEFL/TESOL certification course.

Should my TESOL course provider be accredited?

When choosing where to take TESOL courses, you’ll want to be sure the program you choose is accredited as there is no industry-wide requirement that TEFL/TESOL providers and their courses be accredited. So, not all course providers will be accredited.

Accreditation is the recognition and verification that an institution meets and maintains certain standards of quality for that industry. An outside, objective agency audits various aspects of the organization and its programs and awards accreditation if the standards are met. Accreditation review is ongoing, so organizations must be committed to maintaining those standards to remain accredited.

There are several important reasons you should choose an accredited TEFL/TESOL program.

First, it will help you find high-quality courses.
Second, courses from an accredited organization show your future employers you’ve received good training that meets industry standards.
Third, accreditation through a reputable body like ACCET means you can earn additional credentials, such as Continuing Education Units (CEUs) or even university credit for your training.

Who are the accrediting bodies for Bridge’s TESOL certification programs?

Bridge is accredited by ACCET, the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training, AQUEDUTO, the Association for Quality Education & Online Training, and ACE, the American Council on Education. These accreditations mean you can earn CEUs, undergraduate-level credits, and graduate-level credits when taking select Bridge courses.

Affiliated university partners in the U.S. and abroad provide opportunities for joint TEFL certification, scholarships, university credits, and pathways to graduate-level degrees.

Learn more about Bridge’s accreditation, ways to earn college credit for your TEFL/TESOL courses, and our university partners.

What will I learn in a TESOL certification course?

An online TESOL course is typically set up in modules that you’ll complete at your own pace. The length of time needed to complete all modules will depend on the number of TESOL training hours of the course, but the online format appeals to many people since they are able to complete coursework around a job or other commitments.

A professional certification course such as the 120-hour Master Certificate will provide comprehensive teacher training that includes modules on language acquisition theory, EFL methodologies, classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching specific topics like vocabulary and grammar. A good TESOL course will include interactive content, access to resources, and tutor access for questions and feedback.

A specialized TESOL certification course will focus on specific ELT skills and niches. These courses can range from 10-60 hours or more. For example, Bridge offers targeted 10-hour Micro-credential courses in 21st-century teaching skills like Promoting Critical Thinking Skills in Your Classroom and Instilling Confidence and Leadership in Your Learners. Bridge also offers 60-hour Specialized Certification courses like Teaching English to Young Learners and Teaching Business English.

Explore targeted training through Micro-credentials and Specialized Certifications.

After completing my TESOL certification, how can I gain teaching experience?

Many teaching jobs require, or at least prefer, experience, so getting some hands-on experience in the classroom is important. There are a few ways you can gain experience so you’ll not only qualify for more jobs but also be well prepared to teach your own classes. Here are some ways to gain experience.

Complete a Guided Teaching Practicum

You can earn certain types of TEFL/TESOL certifications that provide valuable teaching experience. For example, Bridge offers a specialized certificate called the Guided Teaching Practicum that incorporates five hours of hands-on teaching practice in a real EFL classroom, which you can arrange with schools, community centers, or other locations.

A TEFL/TESOL practicum course can be combined with any online TEFL certification (Bridge or otherwise) to make you more competitive for EFL jobs across the globe.

Teach English online

You can look for online English teaching companies or marketplaces that don’t require prior experience, or you can enroll in a program like Bridge’s Practicum in Teaching English Online. You’ll gain experience teaching in an actual virtual classroom and come away with recorded lessons (of your teaching) that you can showcase to potential employers.

Volunteer teaching

You may find volunteer opportunities within your community or through a teach-abroad volunteer program. Some ways you can gain experience as a volunteer teacher, teaching assistant, or tutor include:

Refugee/immigrant service organizations
Local churches or community centers that offer ESL or even GED classes
Teaching English online with a volunteer organization
Public or private K-12 schools
English language schools
Nanny/babysit/coach/mentor to get experience with kids

How would a TESOL course benefit me?

TESOL certification courses from an accredited provider benefit new and experienced teachers in a variety of ways. If you’re new to ELT, TESOL certification can get you started in your new career as an English teacher in a classroom, online, or abroad. If you’re an experienced English teacher, specialized TESOL certifications can help you break into lucrative, in-demand niches, opening doors to new opportunities and increasing your earning potential.

For example, Belinda, a Teacherpreneur Academy member who is building an online teaching business, recently completed the Specialized Certificate in Succeeding as an English Teacherpreneur as part of her training.

“The course was wonderfuful and had all the tools I needed to get started,” she said. “I have learned so much about funnel sales, social media, marketing, etc. The list is endless. This program is worth its value. I’m glad I enrolled in it!”

What are my career prospects with TESOL certification?

TESOL certification can open doors to many different career opportunities. There are teaching positions at public and private schools, teaching positions available abroad, and teaching jobs online, which can include launching your own business as a teacherpreneur! Let’s break these career opportunities down in more detail.

Teach English in a traditional classroom

You can teach English in public and private schools, with language institutes, and through a variety of programs close to home or abroad. Qualification requirements may differ depending on the country and region, but at minimum, 120-hour TEFL/TESOL certification will be required. While some countries may require a degree, there are many places you can teach English abroad without a degree. For example, it’s possible to teach English in Spain, Romania, Argentina, Mexico, and Laos without a degree.

Learn more about teaching English abroad requirements, including certifications, experience, and age limitations.

Teach English online as a freelancer

Teaching English online as a freelancer with a company may include teaching young learners, teens, or adults, who are often business professionals. For example, Bridge Corporate Language Learning partners with companies around the world to provide Business English courses to employees.

To teach with a company, you’ll need to be TEFL/TESOL certified, usually with certification of at least 120 hours. Start with a professional certification like the Bridge Master Certificate or the graduate-level IDELTOnline™. If you plan to teach online, you’ll want to add a Teaching English Online Specialized Certification and if you plan to teach business professionals, you’ll want to add a Teaching Business English Specialized Certification.

Ready to teach Business English to adult professionals? Learn more about teaching with Bridge Corporate Language Learning.

Teach English online through a marketplace

If you’re looking for a side gig for additional income or simply want the freedom to choose your own students and hours, you can also pursue a career teaching English on online marketplaces, platforms that handle financial transactions but take a cut of your profits. You can tutor children or adults on marketplaces, and you can offer one-to-one or small-group tutoring.

You can also specialize your teaching niche with additional certifications, which can allow you to charge higher rates for tutoring sessions. For example, you may choose to specialize in teaching English pronunciation or teaching IELTS exam prep, which are in-demand courses. To tutor on a marketplace, you’ll need to set up an eye-catching profile that includes:

a profile picture
a strong bio
a summary of your qualifications and experience
your areas of specialization/teaching niches
an introductory video
your resume

Teach English online as a teacherpreneur

As a teacherpreneur, you can create your own online teaching business and choose your own rates, course offerings, hours, and fees. Teacherpreneurs are fully independent teachers who set up their own websites or subscribe to a learning platform to offer their services. For teachers with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting an independent online business offers amazing opportunities.

As a teacherpreneur, you would develop your own brand and market your services on your site, social media, and other channels. You would also handle all client interactions, take care of all billing and accounting, and develop your own custom courses. Bridge’s Teacherpreneur Academy provides business and marketing training through the 60-hour Succeeding as an English Teacherpreneur Specialized TEFL/TESOL Course, monthly workshops, monthly networking and live coaching sessions, and other resources to empower new and experienced English teacherpreneurs.

The bottom line is that TESOL courses provide a vast array of opportunities for teaching English. With the right certifications, you can teach young children, teens, or adults. You can teach in schools or online, close to home or abroad, part-time or full-time. You can pursue a career with schools or companies, tutor for online marketplaces, or launch your own successful teaching business. At the end of the day, TESOL certification puts you in the driver’s seat so you can create the career path of your dreams!

Ready to get started? Compare TESOL courses to find the certification that’s right for you!