What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
For all intents and purposes the terms mean the same with TESOL being more common in America and with large state sector colleges in Britain (e.g. the Institute of Education in London) while TEFL is more common in U.K. Language Schools and in the U.K. press. There is a slight technical difference since TESOL refers to all learners whose first language is not English, including ethnic minorities living in this country whereas TEFL refers only to “foreign” students. Potentially, therefore, a TESOL course encompasses more than a more narrowly defined TEFL course.
Basically they are the same thing. TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) is an umbrella term that includes TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). TESOL is an acronym that is used more by US-based programs and TEFL more by British programs. Most job postings with include one or both TESOL and TEFL. Some postings will list the CELTA as a qualification, a British-based course.
