English Language Teaching Acronyms

TESOL	TEACHING ENGLISH TO SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES (Umbrella acronym)
TEAL	TEACHING ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE
TESL	TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (UK) Students are usually new Commonwealth immigrants, refugees, migrant workers, etc. Needs include basic life skills and orientation skills - key aspects of culture and ways of operating its systems. Back-up literacy work is often necessary. (O) TESL outside the UK — in English-speaking Africa, for example, English is required for many purposes, but above all as the medium of education. English replaces the native language outside the home. Need for complete mastery of the language and an ability to use it which is almost second nature. Note: this description applies equally to immigrant school children in the UK.
TEFL	TEACHING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE In the UK and Ireland: mostly students, business people, au pairs, etc., mainly young, with the exception of business people. Most will have completed at least secondary education. Seeking communicative language improvement, language enrichment, qualifications, cultural understanding, travel experience, etc. The acronym TEFL is now generally considered a little out-dated. In very many institutions it has been replaced by TESOL (considered more appropriate in the current 'politically correct' climate). Outside the UK: all ages, ranging from young children and juniors to adult evening class groups. Wide and varied range of needs.
TEIL	TEACHING ENGLISH AS AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE Students require the language mainly for international communication. Needs are wide, ranging from commerce and tourism to industry and telecommunications.
TESP	TEACHING ENGLISH FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES
EOP	ENGLISH FOR OCCUPATIONAL PURPOSES Can be pre-, in-, or post-sessional courses of English for science and technology, engineering, management and business studies, etc. Also: EIP - English for Industrial Purposes; EST - English for Science and Technology; ECP - English for commercial purposes.
EAP	ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES Can be pre- or in-sessional programmes of study skills in school, college or university.
	© B.W-S 2007