TEFL and IELTS, while both situated within the realm of English language education, serve distinct purposes:
- TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language): Represents qualifications and courses designed to certify individuals to teach English to non-native speakers. Earning a TEFL certification indicates expertise in teaching methodologies.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): A globally-recognized test that assesses an individual's English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. It doesn't relate to teaching abilities but rather measures a person's language skills.
In essence, while TEFL certifies teaching capabilities, IELTS gauges English language proficiency.
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What does TEFL stand for?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is a widely used term in the teaching profession, referring to the instruction of English to non-native speakers. It is primarily used in contexts where English is taught in countries where it is not the native language, for instance, teaching English to French speakers in France. However, it also broadly applies to any context or location where English is being taught.
In addition to representing the act of teaching English, TEFL also signifies the training courses and the resulting certification that educators require to secure positions in schools and language centers teaching English. Various providers, like ITTT, offer TEFL courses with several options to choose from. Prospective teachers can typically opt for in-class courses that follow a structured 4-week timeline at a specified training center, or online courses that can be completed at their own pace from home.
Check out our online TEFL courses and our in-class TEFL course options.
What does IELTS stand for?
IELTS is an acronym for the International English Language Testing System. It is currently the most widely recognized English language proficiency test globally. Annually, thousands of non-native English speakers take this test intending to work, study, or permanently migrate to English-speaking countries. Many governments worldwide use this test as a means of ensuring potential immigrants, whether short-term or long-term, possess the requisite English skills to meet their set criteria.
