2 August 2013
For two countries who speak the same language, there could not be more difference between American and British English. Since English spellings did not become standardised until the eighteenth century; on both sides of the Pond (more commonly known as the Atlantic Ocean!) many words are the same but some are different. Different spellings, different pronunciations and even different words for the same thing; it can get confusing.US / UK favorite / favourite color / colour honor / honour
Another difference comes in words that end in re.US / UK center / centre liter / litre fiber / fibre
These are just some of the differences in spelling present in American and British English. A quick search of the internet will bring up many more if you wish to find them.
Sometimes words exist in British English but not American English and vice versa. One common British word (and one that comes up in my vocabulary a lot, I will admit!) is naff. Naff is used to describe something uncool or silly-looking (That dress is so naff!). Similarly, a common description in American English is for something to be catty-corner. This means it is diagonally opposite to something, i.e. the movie theater is catty-corner to the store.
Our TEFL courses are tailored more towards British English but we have plenty of people who speak American English enrolling on and completing the course with as much as ease as those who are more used to British English. We believe that anyone who can speak English to a native or near-native level can TEFL. Take a look at our course options here to find a course that best suits you.
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