Why Are TEFL Methodologies Different From Teaching English Abroad
24th January 2024
The misconception that teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is the same as teaching English is common. However, the scope, goals, approaches, and target audiences of these two educational endeavors are very different. Although they both need the use of English language skills, TEFL goes above and beyond traditional English language training by serving students from a variety of linguistic and cultural backgrounds. For this reason, even if you are a natural English speaker and are debating whether or not TEFL is worth your time, continue reading to find out why the two opportunities are so unlike one another.
Why Is TEFL Methodology Different?
Outside of the classroom, EFL students seldom ever get the opportunity to converse in English. It's possible to argue that for a sizable portion of EFL students worldwide, their EFL classroom is the only setting in which they speak English. This is why the TEFL methodologies and techniques for teaching English to non-speakers of the language need to be engaging and interactive.
ESL students are not like native English speakers. A natural speaker of even the first grade most likely possesses a vocabulary more extensive than most intermediate EFL students who have been studying the language for years. Only a few hours a week may be spent speaking and listening to English by an EFL learner. And not at all if they are not enrolled in any special classes or while school is not in session. Native speakers, on the other hand, talk and hear English all the time.
As a result of their limited opportunities to speak, listen, or utilize the English language, the students must be encouraged to engage in conversation in the classroom.
Furthermore, since English is frequently irrelevant to learners, educators must make a strong effort to establish a connection between the language that has to be taught and a legitimate purpose for studying it. One that feels relevant not only to the distant future but also to the present.
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5 Reasons That Sets TEFL Apart From Normal English Teaching?
Now that you have understood the EFL methodology, here are a few reasons that set the two apart:
1. The TEFL Teaching Environment
The setting and context in which TEFL is applied are the main points of differentiation. English is taught by TEFL teachers to non-native speakers who live in nations where English is not the official language. Since students are frequently immersed in a new linguistic and cultural environment, this situation calls for a unique approach.
On the other hand, working with native speakers or those who reside in English-speaking nations, where the language is used daily, is the norm when teaching English. For this reason, Native English speakers talk and hear the language all the time whereas TEFL students learn it for only a few hours in class.
2. The Teaching Objectives
The goal of TEFL is to provide students with the necessary language abilities for communication in a variety of settings, including academics, business, and travel. The goal is to improve speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills so that students can communicate with English speakers who are either native speakers or non-native speakers.
On the other hand, teaching English in a setting where the language is spoken generally focuses on a more thorough approach to language learning, including grammar, literature, and writing. It thrives on the goal of getting pupils ready for tests or other academic endeavors.
3. ESL Teaching Methodologies
Adaptability and inventiveness in teaching approaches are required by TEFL. Instructors recognize that students need to learn English as a tool for practical application, thus they frequently use interactive, communicative, and context-based techniques to help students acquire the language. It's usual practice to use role-plays, games, and realistic simulations to provide language learners with meaningful language experiences.
On the other hand, English instruction in native-speaking contexts typically adheres to a more conventional, organized curriculum that emphasizes academic writing, literary analysis, and grammatical standards. Just because you speak English as your first language, you cannot teach ESL kids as they are very different from native English speakers in terms of demands, motivations, and skills.
4. The Evaluation Process
The techniques for assessment and evaluation in TEFL and English instruction varied significantly as well. TEFL evaluations frequently place a high value on successful communication in real-world contexts and the capacity to communicate in English. To determine a student's level of language competency, assessments may involve role-plays, oral interviews, and real-world assignments.
Teaching English evaluations in English-speaking contexts, on the other hand, usually places more emphasis on academic achievement, such as essays, tests, and literary analyses. Since there is no connection made between the language and the need to learn it, these kinds of examinations are typically not very applicable to TEFL students in real life.
5. Cultural Awareness
Tolerance and understanding across cultures are frequently promoted by TEFL. The different origins, viewpoints, and worldviews that TEFL teachers and students bring to the classroom create a rich tapestry of experiences. To accommodate students with varying language, cultural, and educational backgrounds, TEFL teachers need to modify their teaching approaches.
This calls for an increased awareness of language skill levels, cultural quirks, and unique learning preferences. In contrast, teaching English typically involves working with a more homogeneous set of pupils who have similar language and cultural backgrounds, which results in a more consistent teaching approach.
Get TEFL Certified And Be Different From The Rest
Despite having the same admirable objective of teaching English, TEFL, and English teaching are two different educational pursuits with different difficulties and benefits. Offline or Online TEFL courses in Saudi Arabia cover more ground, stressing practical communication skills, accommodating a varied student body in non-English speaking settings, and calling for flexibility and cultural awareness.
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Written By : Sanjana
