TESOLTeachers' Glossary of Common ESL Acronyms

Every career, job and occupation has its own 'language' as it were. ESL is no different. Today we'll explore the wonderful world of abbreviations in ESL: American standard terms and British standard definitions. US Terminology

ESL - English as a Second Language.

This typically refers to teachers who teach English to students who have not learned English in their native environment. In other words, they are already fluent in a first language, and need to learn English later on for professional, personal, or educational reasons.

TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language

This is the discipline of teaching English in a methodical way and covers materials development, linguistic analysis, classroom practice, educational psychology, management, etc.

Terminology in the UK, Europe and Australia/New Zealand

EFL - English as a Foreign Language

This is the standard meaning for 'teaching English abroad'.