Have you ever thought or seen the terms of TESOL and TEFL? If you happened to read both TESOL and TEFL, how would explain both of them?. Well, you do not need to worry what the differences lie on both terms. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speaker of Other Language. Whereas TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. How can we differ both of them in practical?. In this short writing, I will explain it by using 5WH Questions and example.
What is TESOL? TESOL is a program or a major in a Master of Arts in Teaching program carried out by University (ies) in the world. Where can you learn it? It exists in English Speaking Countries like USA, AUSTRALIA, and BRITAIN where they have many universities or Schools which offer this course.
When can you take this subject? If you want to take this major you can enroll at a university where this major is offered such as in USA, England, and Australia when you are taking a master program in Teaching.
Who can apply for this major? Anyone (native speaker or non-native speaker) who is interested to take this major may take it as long as he / she is capable of speaking English well or with a TOEFL equivalency with 550 paper-based.
Why do we take this major? Because it is a required degree if you want to teach English in any English speaking countries as mentioned. If you do you can take this course. As you finish your master in a TESOL program you may teach students with English as the second language. For example, in USA you may teach English to non native speaker students who live in America even you are non-native speaker teacher. Or If you live in Australia you may do so for none=native speakers too. Similarly, if you are in Indonesia, in fact you have had a TESOL certificate, you can also teach expatriate students with English subject.
How do you teach this course? Of course, it depends where you are after getting a TESOL degree. Suppose you are Indonesian and you have had this kind of certificate, you are definitely eligible to teach English to expatriate students. Or you may also teach Indonesian students who are learning English yet this is a kind of mismatched.
How about TEFL?
What is TEFL? It stands for Teaching English as Foreign Language. This is a title either for a Diploma or a Master degree. This major in similar to TESOL in that whoever has had this title can teach English. However, the students must be in non English Speaking Countries.
Where can you teach TEFL? If you have this diploma or a degree in this major, you can teach your students English, but they students must be those who are learning English as foreign language. For example, In Indonesia you can teach English anywhere as long as the students are learning English as their foreign language. Or even you are overseas country, you may do the same thing but in Non English Speaking Countries like Brunei, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, etc.
When can you teach TEFL? As you finish your degree in a TEFL program you may use it anytime you want and as long as you are authorized to do it.
Who can apply for this major? Anyone, either you are native speaker on non native speaker, you may apply for it. However, if you are non-native speaker, a TOEFL score of 500 - 550 paper-based is required to enroll at this degree.
Why do we take this major? If you are nonnative speaker and you are keen on teaching English, you are on the right track, because by using this degree you can teach English to your people. Yet, you can not teach English to native speakers or those who are learning English as second language. In reverse a TESOL degree is applied for this. How can we use this degree? As long as you have had it, you just use it right a way in your educational setting or in courses.
To sum up both terms, let me summarize like this. First, if you are non native speakers and you have had the degree of TESOL, you may teach English in English speaking countries where the students are learning English as a second language. Or even in your own country, you may teach English to expatriate students. Second, if you are native or nonnative speakers of English and you have had a TEFL diploma or degree, you are exactly authorized to teach English to non- native speakers in non-English speaking countries like Indonesia, Japan, China, etc. Is it clear, isn't it? So, if I explain about my self, in whom I have had a TESOL degree, of course I am authorized or eligible to teach English in USA, Australia, and England but only for those who are nonnative speakers such as refugees. Unless, I still can teach expatriate students in Indonesia. Since I have had also some certificates of TEFL,surely I am allowed to teach English in Indonesia.
