TEFL

Education & Academia abbreviation · Professional Certification

TEFL
Stands forTeaching English as a Foreign Language
CategoriesEducation & Academia

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, a professional certification abbreviation.

Teaching English to non-native speakers in countries where English is not the main language, and the certificates that qualify people to do so. Employers abroad commonly expect a TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours, often with supervised teaching practice.

Example: She completed a 120-hour TEFL course before moving to Seoul to teach.

Usage notes

No single body regulates TEFL certificates, so quality varies widely; employers prefer courses with accreditation and observed teaching. The Cambridge CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL are more rigorous, internationally recognized alternatives. TEFL refers to teaching English abroad, while TESL refers to teaching it in English-speaking countries.

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