A Beginner's Guide to TESOL Acronyms

 If you're new to the world of teaching English as a second language (ESL), you've probably noticed a dizzying array of acronyms floating around. From TESOL to TOEFL, CELTA to EFL, it can be tough to keep track of what everything means. In this blog post, we'll break down some of the most common acronyms you're likely to encounter in your ESL career.


TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, from a North American perspective. This term is often used interchangeably with TEFL, TESL, EFL, and ESL, which we'll discuss further below.


TESOL certificate - an initial qualification certificate awarded to individuals who want to become Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages.


CELTA - Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, developed by Cambridge University. Teaching methods are based on a British perspective. TESOL and CELTA certificates are often viewed as equivalent.


TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or teaching English in a non-native English-speaking country, such as teaching English in Russia to Russian speakers.


EFL - English as a Foreign Language, the field of English language studies including the teaching and studying of a foreign language.


TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language, or teaching English in a native English-speaking country, such as teaching English in the United States to Spanish speakers.


ESL - English as a Second Language, the field of English language studies including the teaching and studying of a second language.


As you can see, these acronyms are very similar in meaning and are often used interchangeably. When you're searching for jobs, apply to any positions advertised using these various acronyms as there is no standardized acronym system at present.


In addition to these general terms, there are also more specific acronyms related to English for specific purposes. ESP stands for English for Specific (Special) Purposes, and refers to programs designed to help people learn English to meet specific needs at work or school. For example, employees in industries such as business, aviation, engineering, travel, and hospitality may need to improve their English proficiency for their jobs.


EAP - English for Academic Purposes - programs designed to help students achieve a certain level of English proficiency that will allow them to succeed in an English-speaking educational institution.


EST - English for Science and Technology - programs designed to help students achieve fluency in the specific areas of scientific and technological English.


Finally, there are also acronyms related to language learning and testing. L1 refers to a person's first language or native language, while L2 refers to their second language. TOEFL and TOEIC are both standardized tests of English proficiency, and are often required for admission to academic programs or employment in English-speaking environments.


As you can see, the world of TESOL is full of acronyms. While it can be overwhelming at first, with a little bit of study and practice, you'll soon be able to navigate this world with confidence.

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