Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), Teaching English as a second language (TESL) or Teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) are terms that refer to teaching English to students whose first language is not English.
The terms TEFL, TESL, and TESOL distinguish between a class's location and student population. TEFL describes English language programs that occur in countries where English is not the primary language. TEFL programs may be taught at a language school or with a tutor. For some jobs, the minimum TEFL requirement is a 100-hour course; however, the 120-hour course is strongly recommended as it often yields higher-paying teaching positions. TEFL teachers may be native or non-native speakers of English. TESL and TESOL include English language programs that occur in English-speaking countries. Often, these classes serve populations who have immigrated there (either temporarily for school or work or permanently) or whose families speak another language at home. TESL is regarded as an outdated term because students may speak more than one language before they study English. TESOL is an umbrella term that includes TEFL and TESL programs and is a widely accepted term in the field of English language teaching.
Students who are learning English in their home country, typically in a school, are EFL (English as a foreign language) students. More generally, students learning English are referred to as ELLs (English language learners).
Teaching English as a second language
Teaching English as a second language (TESL) refers to teaching English to students whose first language is not English. The teaching profession has historically used different names for TEFL and TESL; however, the more generic term teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) is increasingly used to describe the profession. It covers both TESL and TEFL as umbrella terms. Both native speakers and non-native speakers successfully train to be English language teachers. To teach English as a Second Language to English Language Learners, or ELLs, passing a written and oral test in English to demonstrate proficiency is often recommended, but not always required.
Teaching techniques
Communicative language teaching
Communicative language teaching (CLT) emphasizes interaction as both the means and the ultimate goal of learning a language. Despite a number of criticisms, it continues to be popular, particularly in Japan, Taiwan, and Europe. CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) has adopted this approach in its affiliated schools in India.
The task-based language learning approach to CLT has gained ground in recent years. Proponents believe CLT is important for developing and improving speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills and that it prevents students from merely listening passively to the teacher without actually interacting. Dogme is a similar communicative approach that encourages teaching without published textbooks, instead focusing on conversational communication between the learners and the teacher.
Blended learning
Blended learning is a combination of multimedia elements (also known as computer-assisted language learning), achieved through a virtual learning environment (VLE) with classroom instruction, a teacher, and peers. Blended learning utilizes technology to provide massive amounts of comprehensible input to its learners through video and other types of multimedia without a teacher present.
Online classroom
Advances in technology have made it possible to get a TEFL qualification online. Students can enroll in online classes that are accredited by organizations such as the British Council or Cambridge ESOL. There is no single overarching accreditation body for TEFL; however, private for-profit companies have been known to invent accreditation affiliates and use them to cheat the customer.
Study materials are divided into modules that students are tested on. Support is handled by tutors, who can be reached via email. After successfully finishing the last module, the student is granted a certificate that comes in digital form or can be shipped to the student's address. Getting such a certificate can be beneficial as many employers require a TEFL certificate.