TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) refers to a particular methodology for teaching people whose first language is not English, but who need to learn it for work or choose to learn for leisure. These students are adults or children who are paying for the courses themselves, or their employer or parents are. They are often highly motivated and literate, and already have an aptitude for languages.

TEFL methodology is highly developed and the most up-to-date training courses turn out teachers who use a communicative approach and a student-centred style of teaching. In these key respects, TEFL courses are different from the way English is taught in most mainstream compulsory education.