TEFL / TESOL / TESL / CELTA / DELTA: What’s The Difference?

Quick Summary

If you’re trying to choose an English teaching certification, the acronyms can get confusing fast. Here’s the simple breakdown:

• TEFL = Teaching English as a foreign language, primarily in countries where English is not the primary language
• TESOL = A broader term that incorporates terms like TESL and TEFL
• TESL = Teaching English in English-speaking countries, especially common in Canada
• CELTA = U.K.-based TEFL certification mostly for teaching adults
• DELTA = More advanced U.K.-based certification for experienced teachers.

The short answer: An accredited TEFL certification is typically best if you're kicking off your TEFL career.

Watch Now: TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Differences Explained

Which certification do you need for teaching English Abroad?

So we've covered a lot of the acronyms in the global English teaching industry, but which one works best for you? Let's take a deeper look into what each of these acronyms stands for and what the certifications they represent entail. From here, you may get a better sense of which certification you need in order to teach English overseas. 

What is TEFL?

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It usually references teaching English abroad in countries where English is not a primary language.  A "TEFL certification" is usually the starting point for those who are just getting into teaching English overseas.

Does "TEFL" refer to a specific official organization?

No. “TEFL” does not refer to a singular body, company, certification, or school. It is an industry acronym, and there are many TEFL schools, TEFL training programs, and certification options of varying degrees of quality, length, and expense.

What is TESOL?

The TESOL acronym stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

In North America, “TESOL” is more typically used when referring to teaching English to non-native speakers in native English-speaking countries such as the U.S. Hence, if you want to earn a Master’s degree for teaching English as a second language in your local public school system, that degree will likely be in TESOL. 

What is TESL?

The TESL acronym stands for Teaching English as a Second Language.

Just like TEFL, a TESL certification enables you to teach English to non-English speakers. The main difference between TEFL and TESL, however, is where you are actually teaching. A TESL certificate usually refers to people who plan to teach non-native English speakers living in a native English-speaking country, and is especially common in Canada.

What is CELTA?

The CELTA acronym stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults.

CELTA is a specific TEFL certification brand awarded by Cambridge English Assessment, a department of the University of Cambridge. Offered worldwide by various schools, it is an intensive 4‑week, 120‑hour course focused on teaching adults.

What is DELTA?

DELTA stands for Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults.

Similar to CELTA, DELTA is another certification brand awarded by the University of Cambridge's non-profit assessment organization, Cambridge English Assessment.

A DELTA qualification is restrictive in the sense that it is only offered to qualified teachers who already have at least one year of teaching experience.  While it may look good on your resume or CV, you do not need a DELTA to teach English overseas.

FAQ's About TEFL / TESOL / TESL / CELTA / DELTA

Is TESOL The Same As TEFL?

When it comes to teaching English abroad, TESOL, like TEFL, is simply an acronym that refers to teaching English to non-native speakers. To a large extent, “TEFL” and “TESOL” are used interchangeably, but TEFL usually refers to teaching abroad while TESOL is broader.

For teaching English abroad, you will typically earn a TEFL certification.  If you plan to earn a degree for teaching English in public schools in the U.S., you will likely earn a degree in TESOL.

Do I Need a CELTA to Teach English Abroad?

A CELTA will qualify you for thousands of teaching opportunities worldwide, but the quick answer is no. The vast majority of the hundreds of thousands of TEFL-certified English teachers working around the globe do not possess a CELTA - they have a different brand of TEFL certification. 

Is CELTA Better than TEFL?

CELTA is a specific brand of TEFL certification awarded by a specific institution, namely Cambridge English Assessment.  It has a Level 5 accreditation from Ofqual, as do other highly regarded TEFL programs like International TEFL Academy. Which course is better for you depends on your goals, budget and course availability, and both a CELTA and a Level 5 TEFL certification will provide you with the skills and qualification you need to work abroad as a professional English teacher.

What Is The Difference Between DELTA and CELTA?

CELTA is a brand of TEFL certification, and a TEFL certification is the qualification you need to teach English abroad. DELTA is a brand qualification awarded by the same organization that awards CELTA. However, DELTA is for people who already have at least one year of experience teaching English as a foreign language to non-native speakers. In other words, you'll likely need a TEFL Certification before you decide to obtain a DELTA.

Which Certification Course Do I Need for Teaching English Abroad?

For teaching English abroad, an accredited TEFL certification is required for the vast majority of positions for teaching English at public schools, language institutes, private tutoring, and teaching English online. For most first-time teachers, and even experienced teachers looking to teach English abroad, a TEFL certification is recommended to receive the training and qualification you need. 

The most important thing is to make sure that you get certified by a highly accredited institution. The acronym on your certification is not critical.

You can take a certification course labeled as TEFL, TESL, TESOL, or CELTA, and you will be earning a legitimate qualification IF, and this is critical, the course you take meets certain international standards set forth by the British Council and other leaders in the field, including:

• At least 100 hours of training and coursework (equivalent to a full-time 4-week intensive course)
• At least 6 hours of live practice teaching (practicum) with actual ESL students (not role-playing!)
• The course is taught by experienced university-level instructors (many holding at least an MA in teaching English as a foreign language or linguistics, a DELTA, or extensive professional training and English teaching experience)
• The course employs a curriculum that is accredited and externally monitored by independent, credible organizations in the field

There are many great and reputable TEFL certification schools in the world that meet these requirements, and there are many TEFL courses offered (usually at ridiculously low prices) that do not meet these standards. 

In addition, you want to take your certification course for teaching English abroad from an institution that provides comprehensive job search guidance. This is a critical factor in choosing the right TEFL course, to help you find job opportunities and with matters like interviews, working with recruiters, figuring out visas, and other facets of your job search process.

Ready To Get Started? Here are Next Steps for How to Choose the Right TEFL Course

There are literally hundreds of schools and institutions that offer any four of the above certifications (and many more), varying in price from $200-$4,000. So how is one supposed to know which certification courses are actually worth time and money? 

Here are some tips that will give you the knowledge to make a good decision for your needs:

• In this article, How to Evaluate a TEFL Certification, we’ve laid out for you the extensive details of what a legitimate and quality certification should hold;
• We’ve also outlined What Mistakes to Avoid when conducting your research;
• Make sure you’re getting something that meets the international standards of 100 course hours and 6 hours of live practice teaching with ESL students;
• You also want to make sure that any course is accredited by an international institution, and that you’re going with an organization that has dedicated staff that will assist you in finding work once your training has been completed; 
• Do your homework and ask questions. Make sure you research all of your options thoroughly. Call any school that you are considering taking a TEFL class from and speak to a representative:
  • Ask them about accreditation and practice teaching. See what sort of job placement assistance they offer and at what cost. You should also ask questions about job markets, hiring seasons, and visas;
  • If the person on the other end of the phone can't confidently and competently address such matters, then you probably shouldn't count on them to provide the training and guidance you need to get a job teaching English abroad.
• Speak to an International TEFL Academy Advisor who will provide you with straightforward and realistic answers and information about TEFL certification and teaching abroad.

So there you have it: English Teaching Acronyms 101 for TEFL Certification. If you have more questions (as you undoubtedly will), make sure you reach out to an International TEFL Academy Advisor.    

Going Further: Other ESL-related acronyms