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Does "TEFL" refer to a certificate?
Posted: Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:03 pm
by bradwelljackson
The word "TEFL" is bandied about quite a lot, and I'm wondering what it refers to specifically. The term "TEFL certificate" is used quite a bit, which makes me wonder if "TEFL" refers to a specific certificate. Is it a standard certificate that has an agreed upon criteria for accreditation, shared by many schools across the world? Or is it a loose term that could mean anything from a Master's degree in English to a 4-hour workshop that one might take to get a brush up before volunteering to teach local immigrants?
Any answers would be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much.
Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 4:43 am
by fluffyhamster
Well, I have a CTEFLA (now called a CELTA) and must have heard or read 'Do you have a CELTA (or equivalent)' quite a few times by now.
The fact that the 'C' there stands for 'certificate' is a bonus, but I see no reason why people couldn't equally well ask 'Do you have a TEFL?' (with 'certificate' ellipted after 'TEFL'), and probably many do ask in just such a way (you could maybe check the Job Discussion forums, Google etc, to be more certain).
If there is a difference in length/level of qualification it is likely some sort of modification or expansion will be in order: a 4-week TEFL, a 3-month TEFL Diploma etc. That being said, I can't offhand think of any TEFL Diplomas or MAs etc!
question...
Posted: Mon Oct 23, 2006 12:39 am
by pucca
I"m thinking of getting a CTESOL at Transworld soon.....what is the difference between CELTA, TEFL, and CTESOL?
thanks!
fluffyhamster wrote:Well, I have a CTEFLA (now called a CELTA) and must have heard or read 'Do you have a CELTA (or equivalent)' quite a few times by now.
The fact that the 'C' there stands for 'certificate' is a bonus, but I see no reason why people couldn't equally well ask 'Do you have a TEFL?' (with 'certificate' ellipted after 'TEFL'), and probably many do ask in just such a way (you could maybe check the Job Discussion forums, Google etc, to be more certain).
If there is a difference in length/level of qualification it is likely some sort of modification or expansion will be in order: a 4-week TEFL, a 3-month TEFL Diploma etc. That being said, I can't offhand think of any TEFL Diplomas or MAs etc!