TEFL · TESOL · CELTA
TEFL, TESOL or CELTA: what’s the difference?
A clear guide to the three terms, and to the two qualifications schools really recognise: the Trinity CertTESOL and the Cambridge CELTA.
Trinity CertTESOL
Cambridge CELTATEFL and TESOL are general terms for teaching English as a foreign language: in practice they mean the same job. The two qualifications schools really recognise are the Trinity CertTESOL and the Cambridge CELTA, which are equivalent Level 5 qualifications.
The three terms
What do TEFL, TESOL and CELTA mean?
TEFL
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
The general term for teaching English in a country where English is not the main language, for example in Italy.
TESOL
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
In practice, the same job. Schools and employers use TEFL and TESOL interchangeably.
CELTA
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
Not a different thing but a brand: the Cambridge qualification. Trinity’s equivalent is the CertTESOL.
Not all certificates are equal
Why only two qualifications really count
TEFL courses range from a weekend online to a full regulated qualification. Language schools, and the British Council, look for the same things:
- A regulated Level 5 qualification on Ofqual’s Regulated Qualifications Framework, comparable to the second year of an undergraduate degree
- At least 6 hours of observed, assessed teaching practice with real learners
- External quality control by the awarding body (a moderator or assessor)
- 120–130+ hours of guided learning, not a short online course
- Recognition by language schools worldwide
The two best-known qualifications that meet all of these are the Trinity CertTESOL and the Cambridge CELTA.
Side by side
Trinity CertTESOL vs Cambridge CELTA
| Trinity CertTESOL | Cambridge CELTA | |
|---|---|---|
| Awarded by | Trinity College London | Cambridge University Press & Assessment (Cambridge English) |
| Level | Level 5, Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Framework | Level 5, Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Framework |
| Course length | Minimum 130 guided learning hours | Minimum 120 hours of contact with tutors |
| Assessed teaching practice | At least 6 hours with real learners | At least 6 hours with real learners |
| Intensive format | From 4 weeks full-time | From 4 weeks full-time |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Education | Qualifications for entry to higher education (a university degree is not required) | Education to the standard required for entry to higher education |
| English level (non-native speakers) | C1 minimum | C1 or above |
| Assessment | Teaching practice, written assignments and a final visit by a Trinity moderator | Assessed teaching practice and written assignments, externally assessed by Cambridge |
| Course units | 1 Teaching skills 2 Language awareness 3 The learner profile 4 The materials assignment 5 Unknown language | 1 Learners, teachers and the teaching and learning context 2 Language analysis and awareness 3 Language skills 4 Planning and resources for different contexts 5 Developing teaching skills and professionalism |
| Fees | Set by each training centre. See our current CertTESOL fees | Set by each training centre |
Based on the requirements published by Trinity College London and Cambridge English (checked October 2026). Individual centres may add their own conditions.
Which one to choose?
For jobs, they are equivalent
Schools treat the two qualifications as equals. What differs is the awarding body and some details of the syllabus, so the choice comes down to the training centre: the quality of the tutors, the location and format, the careers support, graduate reviews, the price and the start dates.
Why graduates choose our Trinity CertTESOL in Rome
- The only Trinity CertTESOL centre in Rome
- 130+ hours, with observed teaching practice with real students
- In Rome (full-time or part-time), online or blended
- A careers service for graduates
- 1,100+ graduates since 2014
Questions
TEFL, TESOL and CELTA: FAQ
What is TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is the general name for teaching English to people whose first language is not English, for example in Italy, and for the certificates that qualify you to do it. A TEFL certificate is only worth as much as the course behind it: look for a regulated Level 5 qualification with assessed teaching practice with real learners, such as the Trinity CertTESOL.
Is the Trinity CertTESOL the same as the CELTA?
They are equivalent. Both are regulated Level 5 qualifications with at least 6 hours of assessed teaching practice, and both are recognised by language schools worldwide. The awarding body is different: Trinity College London for the CertTESOL, Cambridge University Press & Assessment for the CELTA.
Is there a Cambridge CELTA course in Rome?
We do not offer the Cambridge CELTA. Our course is the Trinity CertTESOL, a regulated Level 5 qualification that language schools treat as equivalent to the CELTA: 130+ hours and at least 6 hours of assessed teaching practice with real learners. We are the only Trinity CertTESOL centre in Rome, and you can take the course face-to-face in Rome, online or blended.
Are TEFL and TESOL the same thing?
In practice, yes. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are used interchangeably by schools and employers. What matters is the quality of the course behind the name.
Do I need a university degree?
No. For the Trinity CertTESOL you need to be at least 18, hold qualifications for entry to higher education (for example a high-school diploma) and, if you are not a native speaker, have at least a C1 level of English. Some countries and employers ask for a degree for work visas, so check the rules of your destination.
Is an online TEFL certificate valid?
Yes, if it is a regulated Level 5 qualification that includes assessed teaching practice with real learners. Short online courses without teaching practice are not accepted by most schools. Our online CertTESOL includes live online teaching practice.
How long does the course take?
It requires 130+ hours in every format: 4 weeks full-time or 6 weeks part-time in Rome, 6 or 10 weeks online, and 6 weeks blended (2 weeks online and 4 in Rome).
Which one is better for working in Italy?
Language schools in Italy and abroad accept both. What counts is that your certificate is a regulated Level 5 qualification with real teaching practice, and that you can show the skills you gained.
Get the qualification schools look for
Trinity CertTESOL in Rome, online or blended. Book a free 15-minute call or apply online.