Glossary

Course Types

Combined TEFL Courses
Combined courses are hybrid or blended TEFL courses which deliver content through a mix of classroom-based and online components.
On-site TEFL Courses
Schools offering completely classroom-based TEFL courses.
Online TEFL Courses
TEFL courses delivered completely through the internet.

Course Lengths

Long Courses (150+ hours)
TEFL courses of 150 hours or more, including diploma courses as well as standard TEFL courses appended with specialist modules.
Mini Courses (<30 hours)
Courses of 30 hours or less, including "TEFL tasters”, introductory and weekend TEFL courses, workshops, seminars, and specialist modules.
Short Courses (40-100 hours)
TEFL courses comprising between 40 and 100 hours.
Standard (120-140 hours)
TEFL courses comprising between 120 and 140 hours. This includes 4-week courses as well as part-time courses with 120-140 hours of content delivered over a longer period of time.

Specialist Courses

Advanced Methodology
Short courses that explore one or more language teaching methodologies in-depth and which may include both theory and practical teaching skills.
Arts and Drama in ESL
How to teach visual arts or performing arts in ESL classrooms.
CLIL
Content and Language Integrated Learning courses provide training in how to teach subject classes, such as math or history, through English to English Language Learners.
English for Academic Purposes
Courses in EAP focus on how to teach the language and skills that English Language Learners need to succeed in higher education.
English for Hospitality
Training in how to teach English for professionals in the tourism industry, such as hotels and restaurants.
ESL Course Design
Short courses that introduce methods for planning and preparing a syllabus for an ESL course.
Grammar
Stand-alone courses covering methodologies for teaching English grammar and/or grammar refresher courses for ESL/EFL teachers.
Leadership & Management
Short courses aimed at teaching management and administrative skills in the context of operating a language learning centre.
Teaching Business English
Short training courses in how to teach English for a corporate or workplace environment.
Teaching English to Refugees
Courses which address the needs of adult students and young learners who are asylum seekers or refugees in a new country.
Teaching Exam Preparation
Short courses in how to teach preparation classes for anyone studying TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS or other English tests.
Teaching Large Classes
Short training courses to prepare for teaching classes with 40 to 80 or more students in a single classroom, which is common in settings such as public schools in some Asian countries.
Teaching One-to-One
Training courses in ESL/EFL tutoring, or teaching classes with only one student.
Teaching Online
Training courses in how to teach ESL/EFL classes remotely via the internet, through a company and/or as a self-employed freelancer.
Teaching Teenagers
Short courses in how to prepare ESL lessons to effectively engage teenage learners.
Teaching with Technology
Training in how to use wikis, video, multimedia, podcasting, mobile and/or other technologies for teaching ESL.
Teaching Young Learners
Stand-alone courses in teaching English to children from preschool up to youth aged 16-18.
Trainer Training
Short courses for developing skills in how to train other teachers in ESL instruction.

Additional Features

Online Practicum
Schools offering observed teaching practice in an online format.
Part-Time Study
In-class courses which provide 120 to 140 hours of content over a period longer than the standard 4 weeks. Does not include online, self-paced courses.
Stand-Alone Teaching Practice
Schools providing observed teaching practice as a stand-alone module or a practicum separate from a complete TEFL course, whether on-site or online.
TEFL Internships
Schools offering TEFL internship programs to help new graduates gain volunteer or paid ESL teaching experience in addition to the practicum provided by a standard TEFL course. The length of programs vary.
Training for Non-Native Speakers
Teacher training courses specifically designed for ESL teachers who are not native speakers of English, often including a language learning component.

Certification Types

Cambridge CELTA
Schools offering courses awarding the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages accredited by the University of Cambridge.
Cambridge DELTA
Schools offering one or more modules of the University of Cambridge's Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Graduate Certificate in TESOL
Colleges and universities offering a 2-semester, post-baccalaureate program leading to Graduate Certificate in TESOL.
Master's Degree
Colleges and universities offering Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Education (M.Ed.) programs in TESOL, Applied Linguistics, or Second Language Education.
TEFL / TESL / TESOL
Schools awarding certificates in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, Teaching English as a Second Language, or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Trinity CertPT
Schools offering the Trinity Certificate for Practising Teachers, a course for qualified TESOL teachers seeking to enrich their professional teaching practice.
Trinity CertTESOL
Schools offering courses awarding the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
Trinity DipTESOL
Schools offering the Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages accredited by Trinity College London.
Trinity TYLEC
Schools offering Trinity's Teaching Young Learners Extension Course.

Accreditation

ACCET
Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training
ACTDEC
Accreditation Council for TESOL Distance Education Courses
BAC
British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education
British Council
Cambridge Assessment English
A division of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
DEAC
Distance Education Accrediting Commission
IATQuO
International Accreditation of TESOL Qualifying Organisations
ODLQC
Open & Distance Learning Quality Council
Qualifi
Qualifi Ltd
SQA
Scottish Qualifications Authority
TESL Canada
TESL Canada Federation
TQUK
Training Qualification UK Ltd
Trinity College London
TEFL Course Review