The Most Frequently-used Acronyms
* CALL
= Computer Assisted Language Learning
* EFL = English as a Foreign Langauge (Studying English
in non-English-speaking countries)
* ESL = English as a Second Langauge (Studying English
as a non-native speaker in a country where English is spoken. Depending
on where you are from,the term ESL may be more inclusive and includes
EFL. For some people the reverse seems to be true.)
* L1 = "Language 1" = the student's native
(primary or first acquired) language.
* L2 = "Language 2" = the language being
learned or studied
* TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language
* TESL = Teaching English as a Second Language
* TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
(It is also the name of an association, Teachers of English to Speakers
of Other Languages, Inc.)
* TOEFL = Test of English as a Foreign Language
* TOEIC = Test of English for International Communication
Commonly-used
Acronyms
* 5W's
= Who, What, Where, When and Why
* CBI = Content Based Instruction
* EAP = English for Academic Purposes
* ELL = English Language Learner
* ELT = English Language Teaching (or sometimes Training)
* ESOL = English to Speakers of Other Languages (Note:
ESL and EFL are often used interchangeably. This acronym is an attempt
to make a generic term and then assign more limited meanings to ESL
and EFL.)
* ESP = English for Specific Purposes / English for
Special Purposes
* FLT = Foreign Language Teaching
* IEP = Intensive English program
* IPA = International Phonetic Alphabet (or Association)
* LCD projector
* LEP = Limited English Proficiency (or Proficient)
* LL = Language Lab
* NNS = Non-Native Speaker
* NS = Native Speaker
* OHP = Overhead Projector
* SLA = Second Language Acquisition
* TPR = Total Physical Response
Other
Acronyms Related to TESL
* BE
= Bilingual Education
* CALLA = Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach
* CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
* CELTA = Certificate in English Language Teaching
to Adults
* CLL = Community Language Learning
* CLT = Communicative Language Teaching
* CPE = Cambridge Proficiency Examination
* EAP = English for Academic Purposes
* ELL = English Language Learner
* ESP = English for Special (Specific) Purposes
* EST = English for Science and Technology
* FEP = Fluent English Proficient (or Proficiency)
* FES = Fluent English Speaker
* GTM = Grammar Translation Method
* LEP = Limited English ProficientÊ(or Proficiency)
* LES = Limited English Speaker
* LMS = Language Minority Student
* LSP = Languages for Special Purposes
* MLAT = The Modern Language Aptitude Test
* NEP = Non English Proficient (or Proficiency)
* OHP = Over Head Projector
* SLA = Second Language Acquisition
* STT = Student Talking Time
* TEP = Transitional English Proficiency
* TL = Target Language
* TPR = Total Physical Response
* TSE = Test of Spoken English
* TTT = Teacher Talking Time
* TWE = Test of Written English
* VESL = Vocational English as a Second Language
Associations
* BC
= British Council
* NCTE = National Council of Teachers of English (United
States of America)
* IATEFL = International Association of Teachers of
English as a Foreign Language (United Kingdom)
* MLA = Modern Language Association
* OCR = Office of Civil Rights
* USIA = United States Information Agency
* USIS = United States Information Service
* IATEFL = International Association of Teachers of
English as a Foreign Language
* ACTFL = American Council on the Teaching of Foreign
Languages (United States of America)
* APA = American Psychological Association
* For other associations, see iteslj.org/links/TESL/Associations/.
