Selecting tutors with a specific teaching english as a second language certificate can give you a better learning outcomes. It means these tutors are specifically trained to help you improve your English if it is not your first language.

Some common certificates you will see include TESOL, TESL, TEFL and CELTA. Here is a brief description on what they mean.

TESOL: Refers to "Teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages", the TESOL certificate means your instructor has taken a course to prepare them for teaching English in addition to any other education they may have. Inquire if this is TESOL K-12 (youth) or adult education focused. TESOL (www.tesol.org) is a self-regulating organization that monitors and advances the profession of teaching English, so you can ask if your teacher belongs to this organization.

TESL: Refers to "Teaching English as a Second Language", the TESL certificate means your instructor has a university/college degree, and has enrolled in an English teaching course with a focus typically on adult English education.

TEFL: Refers to "Teaching English as a Foreign Language", the TEFL certificate means your instructor has taken a course to teach English and is often referred to as "travel English" teaching. These are the certificates that you will typically find with English teachers working temporarily in Asian countries.

CELTA: Refers to "Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults", these teachers typically have a focus in helping adults or other mature English learners with their English skills. Typically run by the globally recognized British Council (the same one that runs the IELTS English exams) they are typically held by instructors from the UK.

For any further questions on teaching certificates email us at support@weblishpal.com