CELTA vs TEFL: Which certificate do you need?

The world of teaching English abroad can sometimes feel like an alphabet soup of confusing acronyms. Aside from CELTA and TEFL, there’s also ESL, TESL, and TESOL. What does it all mean and which certificate is right for you?

Let’s break down the differences between CELTA vs. TEFL to help you find the best fit!

CELTA is short for Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It’s a course administered by Cambridge English which is part of Cambridge University in the UK.

CELTA is a type of TEFL certificate.

When it comes to cost, CELTA is generally the pricier option of the two. The price of CELTA can run anywhere from $1,700 to $4,000 USD, depending on the school. A CELTA certification online tends to be cheaper than in-person.

The requirements for the CELTA are the same across all training centers, both online and in-person. They require that you meet the following criteria:

• High school diploma
• Aged 18+
• Native or near-native (C1+) level of English

Some teaching centers may require you to take an English grammar assessment prior to admission.

The standard CELTA course is 120 hours. How fast you complete the program depends on whether you choose to study full-time or part-time.

Full-time: One month for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week
Part-time: Can be anywhere from a few months to a year

Both the full-time and part-time programs require you to observe an experienced ESL teacher teaching for a total of 6 hours. You will also need to teach adult learners over several sessions totaling 6 hours. This teaching practice will be assessed by your tutor who will give you feedback.

CELTA students should be prepared to do a lot of homework, including four written assignments (750-1,000 words each).

If you want to pursue teaching overseas as a long-term career, especially in Europe or the Middle East, a CELTA is a great choice. It can also be a good option for aspiring teachers who don’t have a degree. Because CELTA teaching is standardized, having the certificate proves you’ve undergone rigorous training including observed teaching practice.

There is growth with this path, too. CELTA grads can progress on to the DELTA which is considered a level seven qualification in the UK, the same as a master’s degree.

TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It refers to any certificate that teaches you how to teach English to non-native speakers.

TEFL certificates are taught by a wide range of providers and there is currently no international standard for TEFL certification. The only thing most employers require is that a TEFL certificate is at least 120 hours.

TEFL certificates range from $150 to $2,500 USD depending on location and provider. Similar to CELTA, online courses are more cost-effective.

However, some of the less expensive 100% online TEFL certificates do not include teaching practice. If you don’t have any teaching experience, some employers prefer applicants whose certification program includes observed teaching hours.

Requirements can vary widely by TEFL provider. Some providers will require you to submit an application while others allow you to simply pay for the course and start.

Many suggest that you are at least 18 years old with a native or high level of English proficiency (C1+).

Requirements are usually less stringent for fully online courses than they are for in-person options.

Program duration and coursework vary widely by provider. TEFL courses can last for a month of full-time intensive study or be part-time over several months. Most introductory TEFL certificates are at least 120 hours of instruction.

Courses in person often include lectures, group work, and observed teaching practice.

Online TEFL courses may include live class sessions with a tutor or be totally self-paced with quizzes and written assignments. Not all online courses include teaching practice.

Hybrid TEFL courses usually have online coursework paired with a weekend teaching intensive to round the program out.

For teachers who plan to teach exclusively in Asia, the general consensus among the ESL communities there is that CELTA doesn’t equal more pay or more opportunities compared to a general TEFL certificate.

If you’re not sure whether teaching is a viable career option and just want to give it a try, starting with a lower-priced TEFL certificate allows you to get a qualification without making a huge investment. Should you decide that you love teaching, you can always do a CELTA or MA in TESOL later down the road to upskill.

TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is generally focused on non-native English speakers learning English in an English-speaking country (i.e. Koreans studying English in the US). This is contrasted with TEFL, where learners are in their native country learning English as a foreign language (i.e. Koreans studying English in Korea).

You can definitely use a TESOL certificate abroad but this option is a popular route for teachers who want to teach English in US (or other English-speaking countries) language schools or community colleges.

When choosing between a CELTA or TEFL course, you’ll need to compare the following aspects of each program:

• Cost
• Format of course (online vs. in-person)
• Location of course
• Length

Don’t know where to start? GO has made this research easier with our guide to TEFL certifications. And if doing a course remotely sounds more your speed, we also highlight the best online TEFL courses!

So, is it better to do CELTA or TEFL? CELTA is more of an investment financially, but it opens the door to some higher-paying countries. TEFL, on the other hand, may be better if you're just starting out and aren't sure about your commitment to teaching long-term.

Ultimately, the answer depends completely on your goals, budget, and timeframe.

• You want to teach in Europe or the Middle East
• You would like to make teaching a long-term career
• You have the money to invest in a course
• You have a month to take an intensive, demanding course or are willing to study part-time over several months

• You want to teach in Asia or Latin America
• You have a limited budget or timeframe
• You want to teach short-term or during a gap year
• You want to self-study and do not need teaching practice

Whether you choose to earn a CELTA or a more general TEFL certificate, both will equip you with the skills to enter the teaching world abroad. Get started on your course today and prepare for an enriching career overseas!