TEFL/TESOL
Once considered different, these two certifications are accepted by most schools interchangeably as an entry level first certification to begin teaching ESL. The most common and affordable certification typically used by teachers.
CELTA™
Often referred to as the gold standard of teaching education. Provides certification of teachers in the field of English as a second language. The ESL certification landscape has changed drastically in 2020 forcing everyone to offer online certifications. Our CELTA was once considered too expensive for the return on investment for teaching ESL abroad, but is now available at more affordable prices. Suitable for both new and experienced teachers.
EFL
English as a Foreign Language is similar to ESL, but denotes students who are learning English in their native home rather than a country whose official language is English. For example, students in Brazil learning English would be considered studying EFL.
ELL
English Language Learners are both young and adult students who aren’t native speakers but are actively learning how to speak English.
ESL
English as a Second Language, also referred to as ELD (English Language Development) or ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), is the process for non-native speakers to learn English.
ELP Standards
English Language Proficiency Standards outline the different levels of language skills students should possess as they move through K-12 to meet college and career standards upon graduating high school.
Native Language
Native language refers to the first language a person learns in life or the official language of the region in which they were born.
Primary Language
Primary language and native language differs by the first language a person learned from the primary language a person currently uses. For example, someone who immigrated from Spain to the U.S. and now speaks English in their everyday life would consider Spanish their native language and English their primary language.
Bilingual
Bilingual individuals are those who can speak two different languages, though their proficiency levels in different dimensions (speaking, reading, writing, and listening) may vary across languages.
Language Proficiency
The level to which an individual can participate in the oral and written components of their non-native tongue.