1. What is the difference between the TEFL and TESOL
certificate?
TESOL and TEFL are the most commonly used acronyms related to teaching
English abroad. TESOL and TEFL are actually synonymous with one another. A
native English speaker is eligible to teach English in foreign countries
only with TESOL or TEFL Certifications. Other similar sounding
certifications for teaching English abroad are CELTA, DELTA, EFL, ESL, ELT,
ESOL, EAL, TEAL, and TESL.
TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language
The intentions and purposes for both the terms remain the same. TESOL is
more commonly used in America and TEFL in U.K. There is a slight technical
difference between the two acronyms. TESOL refers to learners with English
as the Second Language while TEFL refers only to “foreign” students. TESOL
course is thus more specific about its target students.
2. What do these acronyms mean?
TEFL – Teaching
English as a Foreign Language
TEFL course aims at teaching English in such an environment where English
is not considered to be the official language or the unofficial first
language as in Spain, China and Laos.
TESL- Teaching
English as a Second Language
TESL course aims at teaching English in an environment where English is
used on daily basis either in the form of an official language or as
unofficial second language as in India, Singapore, U.S. immigrants.
TESOL -
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
This term is applicable for both the TEFL and TESL situations where the
students do not have English as their mother language. The course focuses
on developing teaching skills among the native English speakers to teach
the non- English speaking students.
ESL- English as
Second Language
ESL course aims at teaching English in situations where English is taught
to non- native speakers either in a native country or in a non- native
English speaking country as in U.S.A., New Zealand, India, Thailand,
China, Vietnam, United Arab Emirates, Spain, Portugal etc.
ELT - English
Language Teaching
ELT is the general term used for any situation where English is taught
ESP- English
for Special Purposes
This term implies the requirement of English in special situations like in
business or for academic purposes or for tourism industry. Some TESOL
training courses also come up with ESP features.
EYL - English
for Young Learners
This course is planned and designed for the young learners. The focus is
on the handling of the curriculum.
CELTA -
Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults
3. What are the prospects of teaching English Abroad?
Teaching English abroad is now a prospectus career option with the
increasing demand for ESL teachers in the non speaking English countries.
ATI has tie ups with the teaching institutions spread all over the world
including the Asian, Middle East, European and Latin American countries.
The educational requirements vary from one country to the other but
otherwise, ATI can assist you as far as the placements in the countries
across the world are concerned.
Teaching English abroad is not only a lucrative career option of today but
it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences one can rarely have.
The teachers also get an opportunity to explore the native culture while
teaching the foreign students. The fresh college students can have the
best working experience with this option. They can also earn impressive
salaries and travel world wide.
You can have a fast teaching career in abroad with the programs offered by
American TESOL Institute. The institute offers TESOL Certificate either in
a class room setting or online. ATI also offers placement after the
successful completion of the course. ATI will assist you in every step of
teaching English abroad.
4. What are the eligibility criteria for the American
TESOL Program?
The students enrolling for American TESOL Program must have
• High school Diploma or equivalent
• Fluency of the English Language.
• Ability to obtain a passport for job placement.
• Background check for post certification job placement
The international students enrolling for American TESOL Program must have:
• High school Diploma or equivalent
• Fluency of the English Language.
• Ability to legally work, or obtain a working visa for the country of
employment as a teacher.
• Background check for post certification job placement
The non native English speakers should secure 550 TOEFL score (220 CBT) or
an IELTS 6.0 in order to successfully complete an online or in class
American TESOL Certification Course.
5. Do I need teaching experience to join the ATI Program?
No prior teaching experience is required for enrollment in any of the ATI
programs.
The ATI online and in class programs are specially designed for ESL
teachers. The teaching skills are induced through various activities,
lesson plans and other tools. ATI also offers optional volunteer/
Observation ESL teaching to the young American graduates. Potential
teachers with no prior classroom experience are offered classroom
experience in USA before they pursue teaching job abroad.
6. How often do I speak with instructors while taking the
online course?
Students and graduates are given the options of online chat, emails, video
lectures and telephonic contacts to keep in touch with the instructors of
American TESOL Institute. Instructors can be accessed 12 hours a day and
the students get ample opportunity to get into online interaction with
them. Certification is given after the proper evaluation of your
assignments and lesson plans.
7. Why should I take a TESOL course from ATI?
American TESOL Institute or ATI is an internationally recognized teacher
training organization which ensures teachers of high standard to the world
of ESL jobs. The institute has been training students to teach English
abroad since 2002 and with its educational quality control mechanisms it
has successfully achieved its mission.
With the TESOL Certification from ATI, you can teach English anywhere in
the world. The institute offers teaching opportunities in various
countries across the world including China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan,
Turkey, Vietnam, Thailand, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe, and
the Middle East.
ATI offers TESOL courses which have been specially designed to cater to
the needs and objectives of every individual. American TESOL Institute is
ready to assist you in getting ESL jobs with its incredible range of in
class and online TESOL Programs. Each one of them has been specially
designed to teach a specific age group. The institute caters to the needs
and aspirations of both the young learners and adult business
professionals.
The ATI courses are highly interactive which involve the students in
various interesting educational activities.
The American TESOL Institute is recognized by and affiliated to
organizations like AAIEP, iEARN, SAFEA, USETTA, USDLA and has partners
like Interpark Communications’ & Talkbean which are known to be the best
online provider of teacher training in the world.
ATI also offers placements after successful completion of the course.
8. How does American TESOL Institute help the trainees in
their job hunt?
ATI provides assistance in seeking ESL jobs in countries across the world.
You can choose a place of your own choice to work diligently as an ESL
teacher with ATI TESOL Certification. American TESOL Institute provides
teacher placement in Asia, Latin America, The Middle East, Europe, or
online after completing TESOL certification. The requirements differ in
countries like China, Poland, Spain, Greece, Korea, and Japan. ATI will
inform you about the required educational background for each and every
country. ATI is pretty aware of the ESL job scenario in various countries
and so, you can expect quality assistance whenever it comes to choose a
place of your own choice to serve as an ESL teacher. ATI will let you know
about the country specific requirements and this will surely help you to
find the best opportunity.
9. What is the procedure to be followed by trainees in
their job search?
There are 3 options:
• You can post online resumes to the placement sites so that the schools
and universities get to know about your goals and aspirations along with
your educational qualifications.
• Send your resume and picture to American TESOL Institute via email. The
institute can then forward your resume to the employers of the country of
your choice and then it will offer you a variety of teaching options.
• Another option is to publish your video resume on TESOL Café to grab the
attention of the thousands of TESOL employers in the numerous countries
spread across the world.
10. Does the American TESOL Institute provide lifetime
job placement support?
With ATI TESOL Certificate, you can expect to get a lifetime job placement
service. ATI is aware of the various ins and outs of teaching English
abroad and the various policies and requirements of the countries. ATI
will assist you with its valuable suggestions in getting the best
placement offer in the country of your choice. An American TESOL
Certification itself will change your life forever.
11. Can I teach TESOL, ESL inside the USA with your
certification?
American TESOL Institute is currently providing volunteers, internship and
online ESL positions in USA. The requirements vary from one state of the
Union to another. Candidates with Bachelors or Masters Degrees are
preferred. There are some other specific requirements for teaching in a
particular state. TESOL graduates can teach ESL within United States of
America.
If you are interested to contribute to the world community in a different
way and to work with students of all age groups, you should look forward
to teaching English as a Second Language. TESOL jobs are available in
almost all the communities of the world.