EFL or ESL?

English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is teaching English in countries where English is not a language of majority. Current hot spots for EFL include South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and Thailand. Students study English in their own country, as part of academic requirements in their school systems, or in preparation for travel or study in an English-speaking country. EFL students have years of grammar and vocabulary practice, but often need help with their listening, speaking and writing (the production skills). Teachers are needed at all grade levels in public schools, in colleges and universities, and in private language institutes. There are also opportunities to work in the corporate setting teaching Business EFL to workers who will travel to English-speaking countries or serve English-speaking customers.

As mentioned above, most of Asia continues to experience growth in the number of students learning English as a foreign language. For this reason, jobs in this area are plentiful and competitive, even for those with little or no experience in teaching. EFL teachers have a range of duties from teacher assistant, to conversation leader, to being the sole teacher in charge of an English language classroom. The amount of training needed to secure one of these jobs can vary widely. For many public school or private institute jobs, teachers need only a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university and the ability to speak fluent English. Teaching jobs at colleges or universities, or in the corporate setting will likely require a Master's Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) or a similar field like Applied Linguistics.

Jobs in the ESL markets are often more competitive. In the United States, for example, most ESL jobs teaching in colleges or universities require a Master's Degree in TESOL or Applied Linguistics and at least two years of teaching. Overseas teaching experience can help you stand out among applicants. Public school ESL positions will require an education degree, student teaching and ESL certification varying by state and school district.

Both ESL and EFL will continue to be growing job markets in the next few years. Whether you want to try teaching English as a temporary job, or as your lifetime career, you're sure to find a variety of positions all over the world to suit your needs.