Acronyms Related to TESL

The Most Frequently-used Acronyms

• CALL = Computer Assisted Language Learning
• EFL = English as a Foreign Language (Studying English in non-English-speaking countries)
• ESL = English as a Second Language (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 Proficient (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/.