What’s The Difference Between TEFL, TESOL, and TESL?

TEFL, TESOL, and TESL mean the same thing!

• TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
• TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
• TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language

There is absolutely no difference between TESOL, TEFL, and TESL courses. These acronyms mean the same thing and any institute trying to differentiate their courses based on acronyms is very misleading. Some organizations say that if you want to teach English abroad, you should go with a TEFL course, but you should take a TESOL course if you want to teach English immersion programs at home. This is not true, so this page will present more information about TEFL, TESOL, and TESL.

Are There Any Differences Between TESOL, TEFL, and TESL Methods?

The methodology of TEFL, TESOL, and TESL is the same. Whether you want to teach English abroad or teach in an English immersion program in North America, the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) method prevails all over the world. In fact, the CLT method can be used to teach any language!

There are different approaches that branch off CLT. The main ones used in ESL immersion programs in North America, ESL textbooks, and professionally run ESL schools around the world are the Communicative Approach and Task-Based Learning approach.

International TEFL, TESOL, TESL Accreditation Overview:

Any organization saying that there is a difference between TEFL, TESOL, and TESL is not telling the truth. What matters is the quality of the program, the tutors, and the accreditation. The TESOL, TEFL, and TESL acronyms do not infer any meaning on quality. For example, there are universities and recruitment agencies from Toronto who advertise that to teach English abroad candidates need a TEFL course instead of a TESOL course because they sell online TEFL courses without accreditation. The reason that such courses are not accredited for teaching jobs in Canada is exactly because they are easy to complete and don’t teach any lesson planning skills. Some online TEFL courses may be more expensive than the cheap Groupon TEFL courses because they carry a brand of a reputable university, but what matters most for your career growth is quality and accreditation.

TESL Canada is the leading accrediting organization in Canada and one of the most reputable organizations in the world. They have set standards all the way from standard 120-hour courses to master degrees. TESL Canada recognizes institutes and universities that offer TESOL, TEFL, and TESL courses. Course providers are free to choose the acronym they want and a wide range of TESOL, TEFL, and TESL courses meet the same TESL Canada standard, regardless of the acronym the course provider has selected for their program. What matters is meeting the standards set by TESL Canada and providing quality training.  TESL Canada is equivalent to the UK-based CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL certification, so you can use your TESL Canada certification to teach English abroad or in a native-speaking country.

Trinity CertTESOL is the renowned certification course accredited by Trinity College London. You can use your Trinity CertTESOL certification to teach English abroad or teach English at home. As with TESL Canada, Trinity accredits TESOL, TEFL, and TESL courses all over the world. For example, some Trinity CertTESOL courses in Europe run by the name of TEFL, while the 5-week on-site course offered in Toronto by Coventry House International is a TESOL course. Moreover, the same TESOL course offered by Coventry is recognized by both TESL Canada and Trinity CertTESOL.

Read More: Compare TESOL certification by career path and teaching destination

So, Which TEFL, TESOL, TESL Course Is Right For You?

The Answer Depends on Your Career Goals: