TEFL VS. CELTA
So, you have made the decision to teach English abroad, but with so many courses and companies, it can be difficult to know which course is the right one for you! This blog post outlines the key differences between CELTA and TEFL courses, the price, pros and cons, and course work. Both require commitment and are definitely worthwhile experiences!
Let’s start at the beginning! CELTA stands for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (now known as Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language.
TEFL refers to any certification program that trains an English speaker to teach the English language to others. CELTA, on the other hand, is a very intensive ESL teaching certificate, created by Cambridge University. It is considered one of the most prestigious qualifications for teaching English abroad.
Coursework & Timeframe
CELTA requires students to complete 120 hours of class time and six hours of practical work, where you will actually teach ESL students. Most CELTA courses are offered on a full-time basis and take four weeks to complete, however, there is the option to take a part-time course, which can take up to three months.
As most CELTA courses are full-time, month-long courses, with a heavy homework load, including lesson planning, and four written assignments. A full-time CELTA programme is therefore a full-time commitment!
TEFL programmes can vary from 100 hours to 150 hours! You can take them both online and in classrooms. Be wary that most schools and companies require you to have done at least 120 hours. However, the best part of online courses is they are totally self-paced and you can complete them during your spare time.
Cost
Price is always an important factor when making a big decision. Due to the prestige of the CELTA program, prices can range anywhere from £1,500 to £4,000, depending on the school. TEFL courses, meanwhile, can cost anywhere from £100 to £500 making it a more popular option.
CELTA courses are expensive because of the prestige of the programme! It is recognised internationally, and schools hiring teachers know exactly what the program entails. Having a CELTA qualification on your CV shows a prospective school or company that you already have the practical experience, you know your stuff, and have been put through a vigorous programme.
Why Take a CELTA Course
CELTA is a more expensive qualification in comparison to other teach English abroad courses. But, there’s a reason why and it could be worth it for you. Here are some reasons you may want to choose CELTA, regardless of the price:
It’s internationally recognised, which means that CELTA-holders can access jobs that someone with a lesser-known accreditation wouldn’t be eligible for. Even if jobs are open to people with any TEFL certificate, having a CELTA will give your CV a boost.
It’s externally assessed, which means that if you don’t have time to research the validity and quality of different TEFL certificates, it’s a safe and sure bet.
HOWEVER, CELTA is not for everyone! Here are a few reasons why CELTA may not be the right choice for you:
If you’re hoping to work with children. CELTA is designed for teaching adults, so another TEFL certificate might be better if you hope to work with kids or teens.
While CELTA-holders have access to a personal job board through the program, many TEFL companies also have great job boards, such as us! Plus a lot of the jobs on our job board are more community-based.
If you’re looking for flexibility in your job and learning. CELTA courses require students to be on the school premises, whereas TEFL programs can be completely online-based.
You can find lots of great CELTA opportunities on online platforms like Jooble
How do I choose between a TEFL or CELTA certification?
Even as a part-time student, a CELTA certification is quite intense. What you have to remember is that the coursework assumes that you have a clear and in-depth understanding of English grammar. However, even as a native English speaker this is not always the case, there are many rules and a lot of slang you have to unlearn. Therefore, it is very important that you also work on that alongside your CELTA course, which means not only is your workload heavy, but there is a significant amount of extra work you will have to do on top.
TEFL courses range in intensity, you can choose from different hours and levels, do them online or in a classroom and even choose part-time weekend options, which can give students the flexibility to continue working while completing the course. Our own courses are fully online with 24/7 support for advisors and tutors.
What Is The Difference Between DELTA and CELTA?
A DELTA qualification 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.
DELTA stands for Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It’s another Cambridge qualification, and designed for people who are already working as English teachers, that are planning to get a deeper understanding of teaching methods and advance their careers. DELTA is aimed at teachers of all target groups, not only adults.
If you’re an experienced teacher and you’d like to advance your English teaching career, DELTA is the right choice for you.
Ok, now that you know the differences, which one is right for you? Which one you choose may depend on your career goals, who you want to teach, your budget, and whether or not you want to travel. We hope that this blog post has clarified points and helped you! For more information on our accredited TEFL courses click here. Whichever path you do decide to go on will be rewarding and an unforgettable experience.
