Concept of ESL, EFL, TESOL, ESP, EAP

 

Concept of ESL, EFL, TESOL, ESP, EAP

Preface

English is the widely-spoken language in the world. We can call it a lingua franca or a global language or international language. Therefore, a lot of people get confused about the different abbreviations and terms related to English language. Those who want to become a teacher of English or are aspiring to go abroad for study should be familiar with some important terms related to English language. Learning any language of the world for a specific purpose changes the role of the language. We have come across many terms like mother tongue, first language, second language, foreign language etc.  Each term has a specific meaning and when it is associated with English language teaching and learning, the concepts change.  Let's be familiar with some of these interesting terms. 

TESOL, TEFL, TESL, EFL, ESL are very similar in terms and they are often used interchangeably in the field of teaching English. When you are searching for jobs, apply to any positions advertised using these various acronyms, as there is no standardized acronym system at present. There are also many other acronyms too numerous to mention, which are also used concerning different certificate programs. Do not let these acronyms confuse you, just be aware that many do exist.

 

Teaching	English Language
TEFL – Teaching English as a foreign language	EFL – English as a foreign language
TESOL – Teaching English to speakers of other languages	ESOL – English for speakers of other languages
TESL – Teaching English as a second language	ESL – English as a second language
ESP – English for specific purposes	EAP – English for academic purposes

TEFL – Teaching English as a foreign language

          Teaching of English as foreign language is the teaching of English to students with different first language. First language is nothing but your mother tongue. The learner already knows at least one language. Teaching of English as foreign language is also there for immigrants. Teachers may be native or non-native speakers. A Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) online course can contribute a lot to those willing to teach English worldwide. Teaching English in a non-native English-speaking country, e.g., teaching English in Korea; they are learning a foreign language – English. A teacher is teaching them a foreign language. The methods and approaches of teaching English as a second language and foreign language do differ greatly. It refers to teaching English in a country where English is not a primary language (rather, it is a foreign language). An example of TEFL would be a teacher from the U.S. teaching English in China.

EFL – English as a foreign language

EFL is English which is taught to students in a foreign, non-English speaking country. As it is true of many European countries, where is common to learn to speak more than one foreign language. Normally English is learnt in such countries for more privileged class which helps them to connect themselves to the all the English-speaking nations of the world. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) is the term used to describe the study of English by non-native speakers in countries where English is not the dominant language. This is not to be confused with English as a Second Language—also called English as an Additional Language—which is the practice of learning English in a predominantly English-speaking country. countries in which English is used some but is not widely spoken.

 

TESOL – Teaching English to speakers of other languages

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages – a term that is used to distinguish English language teaching as a professional activity that requires specialized training. Training in TESOL methodology is generally recommended for teachers who plan to work with learners who are non-native English speakers living in an English-speaking country. Teachers help students to use English to communicate in their daily life in an English-speaking country. This includes things like going shopping, ordering food at a restaurant, interviewing for a job, how to make small talk with coworkers, and so on. the teaching of English to people whose first language is not English, especially in an English-speaking country.

 

ESOL – English for speakers of other languages

The meaning of the abbreviation ESOL is English to Speakers of Other Languages. It is related to TESOL.

 

TESL – Teaching English as a second language

Teaching English in a native English-speaking country, e.g., teaching English in America to Chinese-speaking people; they are learning a second language. A teacher is teaching them a second language. A TESL certificate usually refers to people who plan to teach to non-native English speakers living in a native-English-speaking country.

 

ESL - English as a Second Language

A second language is any language a person uses other than his mother tongue (First language). It is also called L2. Second language is not his mother tongue but he has learnt it later. For. Example a Gujarati student has Gujarati as first language as he was born and brought up in Gujarat and when he learns any other language like Hindi, Marathi or English it becomes a second language for him. If you are to stay in an English-speaking country for a long time you need to learn the language for daily communication and that is learning English as a second language. Therefore, there are professional courses going on with the name of TESL (Teaching English as Second Language). English-speaking countries that have historically adopted English as a second language or lingua franca. ESL countries are nations where the medium of instruction in education and government is in English, although English may not be the native language. EFL countries do not use English as a medium of instruction but English is taught in schools. English is the international language of business, commerce, science, medicine, and many other key areas. There are many good reasons to learn English as second language. There are more than 6,000 different languages spoken all over the world, but English is and will continue to be a common means of communication for speakers of all languages.

 

ESP – English for specific purposes

English for Special Purposes includes students who are learning English in context of a certain field, profession, or topic. For example, when teaching legal English, it was teaching English in context of law. Many people around the world are learning English because of specific needs in their work. Some examples of occupations in which employees need to or choose to learn English to improve their English proficiency, and as a result, their work, are: business people, pilots, engineers, travel agents, hotel staff, etc. – virtually all occupations on the planet! English for specific purposes (ESP) is a subset of English as a second or foreign language. It usually refers to teaching the English language to university students or people already in employment, with reference to the particular vocabulary and skills they need. ESP as simply being the teaching of English for any purpose that could be specified.

EAP – English for academic purposes

EAP means English for Academic Purposes means to learn English that will allow them to be successful in their academic pursuits in an English-speaking educational institution. English for academic purposes, commonly known as Academic English, includes training students, usually in a higher education setting, to use language appropriately for study. It is one of the most common forms of English for specific purposes. English for Academic Purposes, or EAP for short, is the English which is needed to study or conduct research using that language. To study another subject in English, to enter university.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

International students who have learned English as a second or foreign language and wish to attend an English-speaking university or college (usually in North America) must write and pass the TOEFL test. It is an English proficiency test, developed by an American company, ETS, to measure an individual’s reading, speaking, writing, and listening proficiency in American English. TOEFL scores are a requirement for over 900 universities and other institutions in more than 130 countries. There are two methods of taking this test; it can be taken as a Paper-Based Test (TOEFL PBT) or an Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT); This test is accepted in Australia and the UK, and it is likely that American institutions will favor this exam over the IELTS test. A passing score on the TOEFL is one of the main entrance requirements. Test of English as a Foreign Language is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions. TOEFL is one of the two major English-language tests in the world, the other being the IELTS. TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers the tests. ETS issues official score reports which are sent independently to institutions and are valid for two years following the test. TOEFL scores are accepted in universities spread across 150 countries including the US, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and widely accepted in Canada. Candidates should note that TOEFL is not a requisite for your country student visa but is a requirement in your university admission process.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS)is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English and was established in 1989. IELTS is one of the major English-language tests in the world. Many English language learners need IELTS in order to pursue academic or non-academic training. The test is available in two formats: ‘IELTS Academic’, for those planning to study at a higher education level abroad; and ‘IELTS General Training’, which focuses on social skills and workplace contexts. IELTS is recognized by universities, employers in many countries, professional bodies, immigration authorities and other government agencies.  IELTS is accepted by most Australian, British, Canadian, European, Irish and New Zealand academic institutions, by over 3,000 academic institutions in the United States, and by various professional organizations across the world.

 

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