TEFL vs TESOL vs CELTA: what is the difference?

The short comparison

Use this as a quick guide:

• TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language. Usually means teaching abroad or online. Many providers, online or in class, 120 hours is the standard.
• TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. A broader umbrella term, used both abroad and in English-speaking countries.
• TESL: Teaching English as a Second Language. Teaching non-native speakers who live in English-speaking countries.
• CELTA: Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults. Cambridge-awarded, about 120 hours, intensive, with assessed teaching practice.
• DELTA: an advanced Cambridge diploma for experienced teachers, not an entry course.

Which one do employers want?

For most language schools in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America, and for online platforms, a 120-hour TEFL or TESOL certificate is enough. What matters is the number of hours, the content and whether the certificate can be verified, not the acronym.

CELTA is often requested by accredited language schools in the UK, Ireland and parts of Europe and by some universities. If one of those is your target, CELTA (or Trinity CertTESOL) is worth the extra cost.

Cost and flexibility

Online TEFL courses are self-paced and affordable; London College of Teachers' 120-hour Certificate is US$185. CELTA is usually taken over four intensive weeks or part-time over a few months at an approved centre and costs considerably more because of live training and observed practice.

Our recommendation

If you want to teach online or in most countries abroad, start with a 120-hour TEFL and arrange some real teaching practice. If you later move into senior roles, the Diploma, PG Diploma, Master in TEFL or DELTA are natural next steps.

TEFL in detail

TEFL is an industry term rather than a single certificate. Many organisations offer TEFL courses, online, in class or combined, at different lengths. The common baseline is 120 hours of training in methodology, language awareness, lesson planning and classroom management. Quality varies, so look at hours, syllabus, assessment, tutor support and whether the certificate can be verified.

TEFL is the most searched term worldwide and is the word most job adverts use outside North America, which is why many providers, including London College of Teachers, name their courses TEFL.

TESOL in detail

TESOL covers teaching English both abroad and to immigrants and international students in English-speaking countries. In the United States and Canada, job adverts and university programmes often use TESOL, and master's degrees are commonly called MA TESOL or M.Ed in TESOL.

For practical purposes a 120-hour TESOL certificate and a 120-hour TEFL certificate are treated the same by language schools and online platforms.

CELTA in detail

CELTA is awarded by Cambridge English and run by approved centres. It is usually about 120 hours, full-time over four weeks or part-time over several months, and includes assessed teaching practice with real learners and written assignments. It focuses on adult learners.

Because of the live training and observation, CELTA costs considerably more than an online TEFL and requires you to attend sessions at set times. Its strength is the observed practice and the Cambridge name, which some UK, Irish and European schools require.

Side-by-side comparison

• Hours: TEFL and TESOL usually 120+ (up to 480 at London College of Teachers); CELTA about 120.
• Format: TEFL/TESOL often online and self-paced; CELTA intensive with timetabled sessions.
• Teaching practice: optional or arranged by you on most online TEFLs; assessed and built in on CELTA.
• Cost: online TEFL from about US$185 at LCT; CELTA typically far higher.
• Accepted by: online platforms and most schools in Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America accept TEFL/TESOL; some UK/European schools insist on CELTA.
• Best for: TEFL/TESOL for flexibility and most markets; CELTA for UK/European language schools that require it.

Which should you choose?

• Choose an online TEFL if you want to teach online, teach in Asia, the Middle East, Africa or Latin America, or need to study around work.
• Choose CELTA if your target employer explicitly requires it, and you can attend an intensive course.
• Choose a longer TEFL (Diploma or higher) if you want depth and a specialism without the cost of CELTA.
• Choose DELTA or a master's in TESOL later, once you have experience and want senior roles.

How London College of Teachers fits

London College of Teachers offers online TEFL from 120 to 480 hours. It does not offer CELTA. Its courses cover the same core areas: methodology, grammar, phonology, lesson planning, classroom management and the four skills. Teaching practice is optional, and LCT provides a recommendation letter for a school placement you arrange. Compare levels on the TEFL courses page.

What about Trinity CertTESOL?

Trinity College London's CertTESOL is another exam-board qualification, comparable to CELTA in hours and in requiring assessed teaching practice. Schools that ask for 'CELTA or equivalent' usually accept it. Like CELTA, it costs more than an online TEFL and is taken at approved centres.

TEFL vs TESOL in different countries

• UK, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa: TEFL is the more common term in job adverts.
• USA and Canada: TESOL is more common, especially for degrees (MA TESOL, M.Ed TESOL).
• Online platforms: usually say 'TEFL/TESOL certificate' and accept either.
• India: both terms are used; many institutes advertise 'TEFL/TESOL courses'.

Can I upgrade later?

Yes. Many teachers start with an online 120-hour TEFL, teach for a year or two, then take DELTA, a TEFL diploma or a master's in TESOL. At London College of Teachers you can progress from the 120-hour Certificate to the 150-hour Diploma, 250-hour Advanced Diploma, 350-hour PG Diploma and 480-hour Master in TEFL, and LCT's main site lists B.Ed and M.Ed in TESOL routes.

Quick decision guide

• Budget is limited and you need flexibility: online TEFL.
• You want to teach online: online TEFL.
• You want to work in Asia, the Gulf, Africa or Latin America: online TEFL (plus a degree for most visas).
• Your target UK/European school says 'CELTA required': CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL.
• You already teach and want promotion: a TEFL diploma, DELTA or master's.