TESOL Certfication FAQ

TESOL—Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages—is the acronym that refers to the professional association, the profession, and the field itself. Because TESOL’s acronym is the same as the acronym for the field as a whole, it may also help to explain what the association is not:

• TESOL is not a school and does not provide English-language classes or teacher-education programs.
• TESOL is not an accrediting or certifying body and does not evaluate teachers or teacher education programs.
• TESOL is not a placement agency and does not coordinate the filling of ESL/EFL jobs.

What are the differences between TESL, TEFL, and TESOL?

TESL refers to teaching English as a second language: programs in English-speaking countries for students whose first language is one other than English.

TEFL refers to teaching English as a foreign language: programs in countries where English is not the primary language and is not a lingua franca.

TESOL, which stands for teaching English to speakers of other languages, is a general name for the field of teaching that includes both TESL and TEFL.

If my degree is in a field other than TESOL, do I need another degree?

Most TESL/TEFL jobs require at least some academic background in TESOL or a related field. The potential employer decides what is related, but examples may include education, English, and linguistics. If you have a degree in an unrelated field, you might consider supplementing it with a TESL, TEFL, or TESOL certificate.

What is a TESL, TEFL, or TESOL certificate?

Certificate programs provide an introduction to ESL teaching. Generally speaking, there are two types of certificate programs: graduate certificates and independent certificates. Both usually require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, but only the individual institutions offering certificates can answer questions about their prerequisites.

Graduate certificates are taught at the university level and usually take two to four semesters to complete. The credits are often applicable to a master’s degree. Independent certificates are usually much shorter-term programs (about 2 to 6 weeks) that focus on practical training and different methods for teaching language. You usually cannot apply an independent certificate toward a state teaching license or a master’s degree. If you plan to teach in the United States, U.S. employers usually do not consider independent certificates sufficient for employment.

How do I find a teacher education program in my area?

TESOL maintains a list of institutions that offer these types of programs. The Directory of Degree and Certificate Programs (DDCP) is an online resource featuring approximately 450 university-level academic and training programs in English as a second language (ESL) and related fields in the United States and Canada.

The directory of universities and colleges is organized for browsing by major (TESOL/TESL/TEFL, English, linguistics, education, other), degree doctoral, (master’s, post-bachelor’s, bachelor’s, certificate), location (state or province), and program type (state/province credential or distance learning). Each program listing includes profile data on admission requirements, faculty, curriculum, tuition, and financial aid. To view the DDCP go to www.tesol.org, select Career: TESOL Degree and Certificate Programs. If you are interested in learning about other education programs outside the United States and Canada contact your local affiliate.

Can TESOL recommend a teacher education program for me?

TESOL does not evaluate teacher education programs and cannot comment on individual institutions. As an association, TESOL must be impartial and cannot direct potential students to any program or type of program. Only the individual institutions can answer questions about the types of degrees or certificates they offer.

Can I teach ESL/EFL if English is not my first language?

Certainly! Some ESL/EFL employers may prefer someone who is proficient in both the students’ native language and in English or someone who has had the experience of learning English as a second language. TESOL does not tolerate discrimination that affects our members, including discrimination based on language background.

Do I need to speak a language other than English to teach ESL/EFL? Do I need to speak the language of the country in which I plan to teach?

Speaking a second language is not necessarily required to enter the field of TESOL, but it is beneficial, in general, to have learned another language and to know another culture. If you are living and working in a non–English-speaking country, you may not be required to speak the host country’s language, but you will likely find your stay more comfortable and rewarding if you learn the local language.