By this point, you might be thinking “Well, great, I know all the acronyms. How does this actually benefit me?” It’s a fair question.
The thing is, when it comes to actually doing TEFL courses or CELTA courses the distinctions are extremely important. They can differ hugely in terms of availability, intensity, cost, how long they take and - perhaps most importantly - how they’re delivered.
So let’s delve further into this world of acronyms so you can make an informed choice.
Length of course
The CELTA course is over in a flash; normally, it’s completed over 4 weeks and involves a total of 120 hours of classroom study. CELTA training centres will usually run one or two courses a year. With this said, there are online and hybrid learning options, but these are typically the same length.
A TEFL/TESOL/TESL course can be completed entirely online and most of the more established providers also offer short classroom courses as well. You can study when it suits you and work through the course at your own pace, though you should ideally be finished within 6 months. The industry standard for a TEFL certificate is
120 hours of study in an online TEFL course, just as the CELTA lasts for a total of 120 hours.
A DELTA, meanwhile, tends to take between 7-12 weeks if you’re studying full-time. These courses, like the CELTA, tend to be conducted in person, though there are options.
Intensity
In terms of intensity, you can’t really top the DELTA. An advanced TEFL qualification, it’s not for the faint-hearted. Expect very busy, demanding sessions while you’re studying, and desired completion within 2 months. There’s a lot packed in there, and not long to do it in.
The CELTA, of course, is intense in its own way. If you’re studying a CELTA then be prepared to take it very seriously indeed.
A TEFL certificate - from a good provider at least - should have some degree of intensity and impetus, but it shouldn’t be a nerve-shattering experience. A reputable course provider will let you study at your own pace, in your own chosen environment.
Cost
A good-quality TEFL qualification will usually cost between £180 – £400 ($240 – $550). If it’s much cheaper, be extremely wary, as they often aren’t accredited and may not be recognised by employers. There are lots of
budget TEFL course providers out there offering extremely cheap courses, but these are unlikely to prepare you properly for teaching English and often involve a lot of hidden fees.
CELTA courses, on the other hand, cost substantially more at around £1,250 – £2,000 ($1,500 – $2,600), depending on the centre. In fact, if you complete the CELTA as most people do – full-time over the course of a month – there are other significant costs involved, such as loss of earnings and, potentially, accommodation.
So if your choice of TEFL or CELTA certification is a cost issue, then TEFL is your best option.
