TEFL exams determine eligibility for teaching English as a foreign language. Courses include internationally recognized options, crash courses, and online courses. Passing exams is necessary for short-term assignments or careers. Requirements vary by location and may include a TEFL certificate or license.
Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) exams are the preferred method of determining the eligibility of instructors wishing to enter this career path. Other names and acronyms for these types of exams include Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Teaching English (ELT). Those students for whom English is not their first language benefit greatly from professional and experienced TEFL teachers. TEFL lessons are necessary prerequisites to prepare for the TEFL exams. The different types of TEFL courses that instructors can choose from before attempting the related exams can include internationally recognized courses, crash courses, or distance and online TEFL courses.
An assortment of TEFL exams is available, with options to meet the needs of those instructors interested in pursuing short-term assignments or careers as TEFL teachers. These options include internationally recognized courses and related exams, such as the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and the Trinity Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL). Prospective TEFL instructors can complete these courses in as little as five weeks full-time or range from a few months to over a year part-time. Available in more than 50 countries around the world, these courses prepare teachers for the TEFL exams through a combination of language and teaching skills development and hands-on teaching in the classroom with diverse student groups.
Other TEFL preparatory classes are available as crash courses, completed over 40 hours or an intensive weekend course, and distance learning or online TEFL courses. Individuals choosing these options should be aware that they are often less comprehensive than CELTA or CertTESOL programmes, especially as they may lack the essential element of teaching practice. Depending on the terms of the program, instructors can gain practice teaching English to overseas students by volunteering to teach ESL classes in their local communities.
Educators interested in taking TEFL courses and exams to help them teach English to foreign students should explore the opportunities available to them in various countries. Requirements may vary from location to location, and TEFL training may include receiving a TEFL certificate or a TEFL license upon passing TEFL exams. In most cases, TEFL instructors travel to foreign countries to provide instruction in English to non-English speakers. Other times, English-speaking countries offer English lessons to foreigners who want to learn the language for a variety of reasons. Either way, passing the TEFL exams is the first step towards a rewarding short-term venture or career in teaching English as a foreign language.
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