TEFL and TESOL are broad terms used in English-language teaching and course names. CELTA is a specific Cambridge qualification. Choose a course by its actual training, assessment and relevance to your intended job, not by the acronym alone.
TEFL means Teaching English as a Foreign Language; TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. Course providers use the labels in overlapping ways, so the name does not tell you whether a course includes observed teaching practice. See The TEFL Org's terminology guide for the terminology, while evaluating its commercial course recommendations separately.
What makes CELTA different?
Cambridge describes CELTA as a teaching qualification that includes practical teaching experience and observation. Its official page explains the course structure, assessment and available delivery formats. Use that Cambridge course information when comparing a specific centre or course.
Do not assume that completing any named qualification automatically secures a job or work permission. Those are separate decisions.
What should you compare?
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Will I teach real learners? | Reading about teaching and trying it are different experiences |
| Who observes me? | Useful feedback needs an identifiable, qualified tutor |
| What feedback will I receive? | Look for opportunities to revise and improve a lesson |
| What ages does the practice cover? | Teaching adults does not answer every young-learner classroom question |
| How is the course assessed? | Find out what you must demonstrate, not just how long you have access |
| What is the total cost? | Include materials, assessment and any travel or accommodation |
| Who awards or regulates it? | Check the specific claim with the named organization |
Ask for a sample timetable and assessment description. A headline number of course hours is only one part of the comparison.
Is online or in-person training better?
Compare the actual experience. An online course may include scheduled live teaching and feedback, or it may be largely self-paced. An in-person course can also vary in the practice and support it provides.
Choose a format you can complete properly. Consider the time zone of live sessions, work commitments, deadlines and the equipment you need.
Which course should you take for China?
Start with the requirements of the roles you are considering and verify recognition for the relevant application route. Avoid buying a course solely because an advertisement says it is “accepted everywhere.”
Read Shanghai teaching eligibility, then compare the practical preparation you need. If you want to teach children, try the young-learner lesson exercise and identify the skills you would want a tutor to help you develop.