One of the first things to confront you in your TEFL career is the minefield of acronyms. We’ve put together a guide to help you make sense of it all.
General
| EFL | English as a Foreign Language |
| ESL | English as a Second Language |
| TEFL | Teaching English as a Foreign Language |
| TESL | Teaching English as a Second Language |
| TESOL | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages |
Traditionally, TEFL refers to teaching in non-English speaking countries, whereas TESL refers to teaching in English speaking countries, to non-native speakers living or working there. In practice, though, the two terms are often used interchangeably, and both are covered by the all-encompassing TESOL.
Teaching terminology
| CALL | Computer Assisted Language Learning |
| CALL refers to language instruction through the use of technology. It usually refers to using language learning software to teach specific language points. |
| DOS | Director of Studies |
| ELL | English Language Learner |
| ELT | English Language Teaching or Training |
| EAP | English for Academic Purposes |
| EAP involves teaching students who are studying, or who intend to study, in higher education in an English speaking country. This could include teaching study skills or preparing students for an exam such as the TOEFL. |
| ESP | English for Specific Purposes |
| ESP refers to teaching English to a learners with specific needs and objectives, and usually refers to teaching professionals in a specific field. For example, doctors may require medical English, bankers may require financial English, company directors may require language for negotiating or making presentations. |
| K12 | Kindergarten to 12th Grade |
| K-12 is not specific to English language teaching, but you may see job advertisements asking for K-12 ESL teachers. The term is common in the USA and refers to teaching children from kindergarten through to 12th grade. |
| L1 | A student’s first language |
| L2 | A student’s second language |
| If someone asks you if you use L1 in the classroom, they are asking if you use your students’ native language, or if you only use L2, i.e. English. |
| STT | Student talking time – the amount of time that students spend talking during a class (ideally as much as possible) |
| TTT | Teacher talking time – the amount of time the teacher spends talking during a class |
Teaching qualifications
| CELTA | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults |
| The CELTA is one of the most internationally recognised and accepted entry-level qualifications. The old name for the CELTA was the CTEFLA (Certificate in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults). There are many other entry-level qualifications. |
| CELTYL | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners |
| This qualification is no longer offered. Instead, Cambridge offer the Young Learner Extension to the CELTA, for those who want to specialise in teaching Young Learners. |
| Delta | Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults |
| The Delta is a higher level qualification, usually studied after two or more years of teaching for career progression. The old name for the DELTA was the DTEFLA (Diploma in Teaching English as a Foreign Language to Adults). |
| ICELT | In-service Certificate in English Language Teaching |
| IDLTM | International Diploma in Language Teaching Management |
| The IDLTM is designed for teachers looking to take on management responsibility. |
| PGCE | Post Graduate Certificate in Education |
| A PGCE is a UK teaching qualification required to teach in the state sector, and is not specific to language teaching. |
| TKT | Teaching Knowledge Test |
| The TKT focuses on the core teaching knowledge needed by teachers, whatever your background and teaching experience. |
Exams
| BEC | Business English Certificates |
| BULATS | Business Language Testing Service |
| CAE | Certificate in Advanced English or Cambridge English: Advanced |
| CELS | Certificates in English Language Skills |
| CPE | Certificate of Proficiency in English or Cambridge English: Proficiency |
| FCE | First Certificate in English or Cambridge English: First |
| IELTS | International English Language Testing System |
| KET | Key English Test or Cambridge English: Key |
| PET | Preliminary English Test or Cambridge English: Preliminary |
| TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
| TOEIC | Test of English for International Communication |
| YLE | Cambridge Young Learners English Tests |
Professional associations
| ARELS | The Association of Recognised English Language Schools |
| IATEFL | International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language |
| TESOL | Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. |
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