Is TEFL the same as TESOL?

In practice the two are used almost interchangeably. TESOL is often used where English is taught inside an English-speaking country, TEFL abroad, but employers rarely treat them differently.

How many hours should a TEFL course be?

A 120-hour course is widely treated as the standard minimum. Check what your target employers ask for.

What does Level 5 mean on a TEFL course?

It refers to a position on the UK regulated qualifications framework. It describes the level of difficulty, not that the course is the same as a CELTA.

TEFL, TESOL and CELTA explained: which qualification do you need?

TEFL and TESOL are broad terms for teaching English to non-native speakers and are largely interchangeable. CELTA is a specific Cambridge-awarded certificate of around 120 hours that includes observed teaching practice. Choose based on where you want to teach and what your employers or learners expect.

The short version

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language, a general term for teaching English to people whose first language is not English.
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, a closely related term and often used interchangeably with TEFL.
CELTA: a specific certificate awarded by Cambridge, usually around 120 hours and including assessed teaching practice with real learners.

How to choose

Check what employers or platforms in your target market ask for. Some language schools specifically prefer CELTA or an equivalent with observed teaching practice. For private online tutoring, learners care more about results and how you teach than about the acronym.

Watch the small print

Courses vary widely in hours, assessment and recognition. Look for a clear number of hours, a regulated or recognised awarding body, and whether there is any observed teaching practice.

Do you need one at all?

For informal private tutoring it may not be required, but a certificate teaches lesson planning and classroom techniques that help from day one.

Next steps

If you are a native speaker see our guide to teaching English as a native speaker, and our guide to the CEFR levels will help you describe your learners.