TEFL Terminology

What’s the difference between TEFL, TESL and TESOL? What’s a DoS, an L1 and ESP?

Keith Taylor
Updated 4 December, 2024

The TEFL profession uses a whole range of acronyms, terms and abbreviations. Here’s a guide to some of the more common ones you’re likely to encounter.

TEFL and ESL definitions

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

What’s the difference between TEFL, TESL and TESOL?

TEFL stands for “Teaching English as a Foreign Language”, and traditionally refers to teaching in non-English speaking countries. TESL stands for “Teaching English as a Second Language” and refers to teaching in English speaking countries, to non-native speakers living or working there.

In practice, the acronyms TEFL and TESL are often used interchangeably, and both are covered by the all-encompassing TESOL, which stands for “Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages”.

Download Your Guide to Getting into TEFL in 2024

Learn about your options and the opportunities TEFL can give you.

Download Your Guide

ESL and EFL 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.
CEFR Common European Framework of Reference for Languages
The CEFR is a standardised system of describing ability in a language, allowing anyone involved in language learning and teaching to easily gauge the competencies of a learner. It also helps employers and educational institutes to see if a candidate has the level of language they require. It consists of a 6 point scale, ranging from A1, through A2, B1, B2, C1 and up to C2. A language learner with a C2 level is a competent user of that language.
DOS Director of Studies
A Director of Studies is an academic manager in a language school or institute. The role of the DoS usually includes recruiting, advising and developing teachers, planning courses and curricula, scheduling and coordinating classes, meeting clients and liaising with sales and management staff.
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.
ELL English Language Learner
ELT English Language Teaching or Training
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 / LTT Student Talking Time / Learner Talking Time
The amount of time that students (learners) spend talking during a class (ideally as much as possible).
TPR Total Physical Response
A teaching methodology based on language learning through physical movement.
TTT Teacher Talking Time
The amount of time the teacher spends talking during a class.
YL Young Learners
Most language schools and institutes make a distinction between Young Learners (usually up to the age of about 16) and adult learners, and offer different courses accordingly.

TEFL teaching qualifications

CELTA Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
The CELTA is one of the most internationally recognised and accepted entry-level qualifications. There are many other entry-level qualifications.
CELT-P Certificate in English Language Teaching – Primary
A qualification for teaching 6-12 year old learners. Previous Young Learner qualifications offered by Cambridge English were the CELTYL (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners) and the Young Learner Extension to the CELTA.
DELTA Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
The DELTA is a higher level qualification, usually studied for career progression after two or more years of teaching.
TKT Teaching Knowledge Test
The TKT focuses on the core teaching knowledge needed by teachers, whatever your background and teaching experience.
PGCE Post Graduate Certificate in Education
PGCE is a UK teaching qualification required to teach in the state sector, and is not specific to language teaching.
IDLTM International Diploma in Language Teaching Management
The IDLTM is designed for teachers looking to take on management responsibility.
ICELT In-service Certificate in English Language Teaching

ESL exam acronyms

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

Acronyms for Professional Associations

We’ve got a full list here: List of Worldwide ESL/EFL Professional Associations

Have a look at our TEFL A-Z for more ELT terms and definitions.

Looking for a job? Add your CV

Get ahead of the game: Be found by employers.

Keith Taylor

Keith is the co-founder of Eslbase and School of TEFL. He's been a teacher and teacher trainer for over 20 years, in Indonesia, Australia, Morocco, Spain, Italy, Poland, France and now in the UK.

Get qualified with School of TEFL

Accredited, internationally recognised online and 4-week TEFL courses around the world from the dedicated, experienced team behind Eslbase!

Related posts

3 comments

  • LindaMerrill

    Thank you a lot for these tables. It helped me a lot to arrange and refresh my knowledge on TEFL acronyms.
    I’m also curious whether somebody knows if there are some free courses for teachers to prepare themselves for CELTA certificate?
    Thank you in advance for the replies.

  • Aminou

    I would like to know the meaning of this acronym ss used in TEFL teaching

    • Keith profile photo
      A

      Keith Taylor

      Hi Aminou, can you tell me which acronym you are referring to?

Leave your comment