TESOL GLOSSARY
Confused by all the EFL, ELL, ESL, and the TESL?
This Glossary of TESOL Terms from National
Clearinghouse for English Language Acquisition should help clear things
up a bit. For a complete list of TESOL terms, visit the
NCELA
Glossary.
ECELL:
Early Childhood English Language Learner – a child
who is in between the ages of zero to five (early stages of development)
and whose native language is not English and are in the process of
learning English as a second language.
ELD:
English language development (ELD) means
instruction designed specifically for English language learners to
develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in
English. This type of instruction is also known as “English as a second
language” (ESL), “teaching English to speakers of other languages” (TESOL),
or “English for speakers of other languages” (ESOL). ELD, ESL, TESOL or
ESOL standards are a version of English language arts standards that
have been crafted to address the specific developmental stages of
students learning English.
EFL:
English as a Foreign Language (EFL) refers to
situations where English is taught to persons living in countries where
English is not the medium of instruction in the schools or to
international students in the US who intend to return to their home
countries. In EFL classes, English is taught as a subject, and exposure
to English is typically limited to the classroom setting (e.g., English
in Japan) (Snow, 1986).
ELL:
English Language Learners (ELLs) are students whose
first language is not English and who are in the process of learning
English. Also see LEP.
ESL:
English as a second language (ESL) is an
educational approach in which English language learners are instructed
in the use of the English language. Their instruction is based on a
special curriculum that typically involves little or no use of the
native language, focuses on language (as opposed to content) and is
usually taught during specific school periods. For the rest of the
school day, students may be placed in mainstream classrooms, an
immersion program, or a bilingual education program. Every bilingual
education program has an ESL component (U.S. General Accounting Office,
1994).
ESOL:
English for speakers of other languages (see ESL).
ESP:
English for specific purposes (ESP) refers to
situations where technical English is taught for use in the professions,
science, or for vocational needs (Stevens, 1977).
LEP:
Limited English proficient (LEP) is the term used
by the federal government, most states, and local school districts to
identify those students who have insufficient English to succeed in
English-only classrooms (Lessow-Hurley, 1991). Increasingly, English
language learner (ELL) or English learner (EL) is used in place of LEP.
TESOL:
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
(TESOL) is a professional association of teachers, administrators,
researchers and other concerned with promoting scholarship, the
dissemination of information, and strengthening of instruction and
research in the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and
dialects.
TESL:
Teaching English as a second language.
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