TEFL acronyms and terminology

One of the first things to confront you in your TEFL career may be 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
TTT	Teacher talking time
	Most teachers suggest that TTT should be kept to a minimum, and there should be as much STT as possible in the classroom.

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
	The CELTYL or the shorter Young Learner Extension to the CELTA are 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

More information about exams

BEC	Business English Certificates
BULATS	Business Language Testing Service
CAE	Certificate in Advanced English
CELS	Certificates in English Language Skills
CPE	Certificate of Proficiency in English
FCE	First Certificate in English
IELTS	International English Language Testing System
KET	Key English Test
PET	Preliminary English Test
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.