If you’re interested in teaching English to people from other (non-English speaking) countries, then you have likely come across the terms TESOL and TEFL. Here’s more about TEFL and TESOL, and the difference between TEFL and TESOL.
TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TEFL programs are for teachers who plan to go abroad to teach students in a country where the primary language is not English (for example in China or Japan). When students study English as a foreign language, they are studying it as an academic subject, the same way you would study science or history.
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The focus of the class is for students to be able to understand grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening comprehension, and speaking for academic purposes. Students may prepare short speeches or perform skits, but generally, the purpose of speaking exercises is to focus on the proper use of grammar and pronunciation.
This style of learning is important for students who are studying English as a foreign language so that they can read texts, write essays, and pass English exams that will get them into university. Some students studying TEFL plan to study abroad in the future. The skills they learn in class will help them study for the TOEFL or the IELTS, which are both a type of standardized test that international students take before enrolling in a university in an English speaking country.
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TESOL includes teaching English as a foreign language (such as in China) as well as teaching English as a second language (TESL), meaning teaching English in a country where the primary language is English (An example of TESL would be teaching English to language learners in the U.S.)
In TESOL, Teachers help students to use English to communicate in their daily life in an English speaking country. This includes things like going shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, interviewing for a job, how to make small talk with coworkers, and so on.
Website: tesol.org
What About TESL?
When going through teaching certificate programs, you may also bump into the acronym TESL, which stands for Teaching English as a Second Language. However, this term has become less popular in recent years, as many educators and researchers now prefer TESOL.
Differences (TEFL & TESOL)
- TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language: Focus is more on the academic side of English learning
- TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Focus is more on using English in daily life
Going by the definition, there seems to be a slight distinction between TEFL and TESOL, however, the fact is that these two terms are widely used interchangeably. In fact, when you look for TEFL courses, you will often see them described as “TEFL/TESOL courses.”
So, either a TEFL or TESOL certificate will meet certification requirements for jobs teaching English. Schools that hire teachers will not make any distinction between the two. In all probability, you might see an advertisement for a teaching job that requires “TEFL/TESOL certification”.
TESOL Assignments
Kindly note that you are free to refer to the course content or any other relevant resources, however, your answer has to be original. Plagiarized answer is not expected from any candidate.
A. Design a conversation activity (speaking skill) based on either “Learning a musical instrument” or “Planning a trip to any holiday destination” Include a sample conversation, relevant support material (images and video links) and a list of related vocabulary. An assessment based on the skill should also be incorporated.
Mention the points to be included and design a short activity on the above subject. Basic parameters to be mentioned: Number of Students, Age, Level, Language spoken by students, Duration, Terminal Objectives, Enabling Objectives, etc.
Lesson plan guideline –
- Name of the Topic: Here you need to mention the topic that you have chosen for the speaking skill
- Time Duration: Specify the time taken to execute the lesson for a day
- Objective: The objective of a lesson plan should include what the students will learn, how (techniques/aids used) they will learn and the accuracy level that the students will achieve by the end of the lesson in terms of percentage.
The short-term objective will be the micro steps involved in the lesson implementation. Enabling Objectives will be the micro steps involved in the lesson implementation. The purpose of each step should be explained. - Age: The specific age/average age of the students that you would cater to.
- Level: The level can be beginner/elementary/ intermediate/ advanced.
- Warmer: Time (5-7 minutes): Quick activity to set the tone of the class. Ideally games make good warmers – especially those using known language.
- Context setting or Pre-speaking: Activating the Prior knowledge by using the visual or audio aids to make the students guess the topic thereby eliciting responses.
- Actual content or While-speaking activity: Activities based on the topic enhancing the speaking skills along with relevant assessment based on it. The activities should be age and level appropriate.
- Recapitulation or Post speaking – Time (10 minutes): Activities based on the topic that would help the students to reinforce what they have learned. It can be a fun activity for the students.
B. Consider any 3 of the following situations and discuss how you might handle them. (word limit for each situation should be within 200 to 300 words)
- 1. One or more student/s is/are not participating or engaged in the lesson.
- 2. A group of students come into the classroom after the lesson has begun.
- 3. One student has her head down on the desk and other students are looking at her.
- 4. The beginning of the class is delayed because two students are fighting.
- 5. You have assigned a task, and some of the students have already completed it, but others are still working.
- 6. You have purposely counted off students to work in random groups of 5, but some students want to stay with their friends and don’t want to join the assigned group.
- 7. One student is causing disruption (acting out).
Useful Link/s
Where in India can I acquire a TESOL or TEFL certification course?
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