We know that the terminology of teaching English as a Second Language can be overwhelming, especially all of the acronyms. Let us spell some of them out for you!
TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language, teaching English to non-native speakers
TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(T)ESL = (Teaching) English as a Second Language
TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language, the most commonly accepted standardized test that measures an English learner's proficiency and overall language capability and readiness for tasks that require a specific level, like going to university in an English-speaking country
SLA = Second Language Acquisition
LEP = Limited English Proficiency
L1 = The first language or mother tongue of a speaker
L2 = The second language of a speaker
IELTS = International English Language Testing System, a standardized test that measures an English learner's proficiency and overall language capability and readiness for tasks that require a specific level, like going to university in an English-speaking country
ESP = English for Specific Purposes, like Business English, English for Academic Purposes or English for Medical Professionals
EAP = English for Academic Purposes, usually to prepare English learners to study in an English-speaking university
ELL = English Language Learner
STT = Student Talking Time, the percent of a class that the students spend producing spoken English
TTT = Teacher Talking Time, the percent of a class that the teacher spends talking
Ready to make these acronyms a part of your everyday speech? Save your spot in one of our 4-week, onsite TEFL courses today!
