Hello Moonies,

As some of you know, I just finished school with my teaching credential and now I want to go abroad and teach in Japan. I had signed up for a TESOL course, but just got an email saying it was cancelled. I have found a class that seems very interesting and I will learn a lot and it will greatly help me. 


But now I also saw something about TEFL certification. I was wondering if anyone can explain the difference to me in simple terms. I am looking it up online and they look similar. I want to know what is better looked upon. Which certification is likely to get me a job?

I want to go with whatever will boost my options of getting a job in Japan. If anyone has any advice or feedback, please let me know.

Thanks

TEFL basically means teaching english as a foreign language. It's more of a term to refer to the industry rather than a specific type of certificate. You can find places that will certify you as a TEFL teacher, which means you'd be on par with TESOL or CELTA. 

TESOL which is teaching English to speakers of other languages is basically the certification and this is a course. TESOL is the term you'll find more often in North America while I believe TEFL is found more in Britain. 

You can read more about it here.

Thanks, now I just have to find a program that has what I am looking for and will allow me to go to Japan. 

I found a program and I was like YAY and super excited, but they don't have opportunities in Japan, so now I am sad. That program had options for me to communicate with people and stuffs.

The JET Programme comes highly recommended from like everyone I've talked to. They also go through what the requirements are to teach in Japanese schools. 

LINK

Hey!  I'm trying to do that too!  Is there anyone that can direct me to a TEFL certification website.

I suggest doing research as many offer different things depending on your home country.