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Posts: 4

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Q: What is the main difference between TESL and TEFL?

Can you tell me about deference between TESL and TEFL? What are the advantages and disadvantages of TESL and TEFL? Why do we separate English teaching courses into 2 categories, as a second and foreign language?
Thanks! ☺☺

5 years 27 weeks ago in  Teaching & Learning - China

 
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TESL = Teaching English as a SECOND Language. Classes should be designed for people who plan to live in an English-speaking country.

 

TEFL = Teaching English as a FOREIGN Language. Classes are for those who want to learn a new language, but don't necessarily plan on living in an English-speaking country. If you took a foreign language in high school or university, you were taking a TEFL-type class.

China_Stories:

I'd like to add a detail to your lucid and correct response. TESL is taught to non-English speakers living, studying or working in an Anglophone country (read: UK, US, OZ, NZ, Canada, etc.) with ample opportunities to practice the language in their daily lives outside the classroom.

 

TEFL is taught in a non-Anglophone country such as China to students who may simply be interested in learning English for whatever purpose.

 

To close, TESL is somewhat an anachronism, imo, as many students are already dominant in a second (and even third or fourth, etc.) language. Given that scenario, English in not a second language for these students, but a third, fourth, ad naseum language. Just my opinion.

 

Nice post. Cheers!

 

  

5 years 26 weeks ago
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5 years 27 weeks ago
 
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'Second' or 'foreign' language in this context has the same meaning.

 

English language is 'second' and also 'foreign' language to Non-native English speakers.

TESL is mostly required for English teachers who teach English to Non-native English speakers living in Native English countries ...

 

Have a read:

 

https://teflonline.teachaway.com/blog/whats-difference-tefl-tesl-tesol/

 

philbravery:

Great explanation

5 years 27 weeks ago
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icnif77:

I am glad, you all 'non-natives'  understand me draft ... 

5 years 27 weeks ago
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5 years 27 weeks ago
 
Posts: 72

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TESL = Teaching English as a SECOND Language. Classes should be designed for people who plan to live in an English-speaking country.

 

TEFL = Teaching English as a FOREIGN Language. Classes are for those who want to learn a new language, but don't necessarily plan on living in an English-speaking country. If you took a foreign language in high school or university, you were taking a TEFL-type class.

China_Stories:

I'd like to add a detail to your lucid and correct response. TESL is taught to non-English speakers living, studying or working in an Anglophone country (read: UK, US, OZ, NZ, Canada, etc.) with ample opportunities to practice the language in their daily lives outside the classroom.

 

TEFL is taught in a non-Anglophone country such as China to students who may simply be interested in learning English for whatever purpose.

 

To close, TESL is somewhat an anachronism, imo, as many students are already dominant in a second (and even third or fourth, etc.) language. Given that scenario, English in not a second language for these students, but a third, fourth, ad naseum language. Just my opinion.

 

Nice post. Cheers!

 

  

5 years 26 weeks ago
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5 years 27 weeks ago
 
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TESL or TEFL are not qualifictaion, these are the terms used to refer where and to whom you are teaching English.

 

TESL - It refers to teaching English as secondary language. These programs are used in English speaking countries for students whose first language is other than English.

 

TEFL - It refers to teaching English as foreign language. It is used in countries where English is not the primary language. 

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5 years 23 weeks ago
 
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