Acronym Anarchy

TESOL literature is peppered with numerous

bewildering acronyms. What is an ENL, ESL
or an EFL speaker? What is the difference
between TESOL, TESL and TEFL? What are
we counting when we speak of an L1 or an
L2? What are we doing when taking a
TOEFL, a CELTA or an IELTS? For those
equally lost in the acronym wilderness, I
have created a quick glossary of commonly
used abbreviations in TESOL literature. PS:
TESOL stands for Teaching English to
Speakers of Other Languages.
Compiled by G. van de Water

Abbreviation

Explanation

CELTA

Certificate in English Language Teaching for Adults

Certification for English language teachers.

CELTYL

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners

CSWE

Certificates in Spoken and Written English

English language program for new migrants to Australia.

EAL

English as an Additional Language

EAP

English for Academic Purposes

An English language program designed for non-native speakers at an
English language university.

EFL

English as a Foreign Language

Relates to English speakers in nations where this is not a national
language.

EIL

English as an International Language

This type of English has no native speaker model, e.g. British English or
American English. The emphasis is on intelligibility.

ELF

English as a Lingua Franca

English as the world language, or English as the global language for
commerce.

ELICOS

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students

Abbreviation

Explanation

ELL

English Language Learner

ELT

English Language Teaching

ENL

English as a Native Language

EOP

English for Occupational Purposes

ESL

English as a Second Language

This relates to speakers whose mother tongue is another language in
nations where English is the national language or one of several
recognised languages.

ESOL

English for Speakers of Other Languages

ESP

English for Specific/Special Purposes

English language learners who need to develop specific technical,
scientific or professional language and literacy skills.

IELTS

International English Language Testing System

Testing system for learners of the English language.

L1

Native language

L2

Second language

NEAS

National ELT Accreditation Scheme

Governing body for course providers in Australian.

SLA

Second Language Acquisition

The learning of another language without conscious effort. This is the
process through which we learn our mother tongue.

TEFL

Teaching English to Speakers of Foreign Languages

TESL

Teaching English as a Second Language

TESOL

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages

This relates to an academic specialisation and includes both TEFL and
TESL.

TOEFL

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Testing system for learners of the English language.