10 Basic ESL Terms You Need to Know

If you asked me what I hate most about the ESL industry, the insane amount of abbreviations and terms would probably be at the top of that list. When I first started looking into teaching ESL, I was overwhelmed and felt like I had to overcome this technical barrier of terms before I could even start learning about teaching. Here are 10 super common and basic abbreviations that are used all the time in the field of ESL. 

1. ESL /EFL- Often, these words are used interchangeably, and they stand for “English as a Second Language” and “English as a Foreign Language.” Technically, ESL refers to someone who is learning English in a country that natively speaks English. For example, if a Korean person goes to the UK to study English, he would be an ESL student. On the other hand, EFL refers to someone who is learning English in a country that doesn’t not natively speak English. So, if that same Korean man or woman stayed in Korea to learn English, he would be an EFL student. Like I mentioned, however, these two terms are often used interchangeably. I myself usually use ESL, since that’s a term more people are familiar with. 

2. ELL- This stands for “English Language Learner.” Aka, “student.”

3. SS- The shorthand for “student.” Why do we have two separate abbreviations for such a simple word? No idea. 

4. L1/L2- As you might have guessed, “L” stands for “Language.” So, “L1” is used when referring to a students first or native language. “L2” is used to reference the new language that is being learned, most likely the English language for our context.

5. IELTS- The IELTS is an international exam to test a student’s English level. There are four main sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is given a number grade from 0-9, with 9 being the highest possible score. Most students who take the IELTS are hoping to study or work abroad in the UK. 

6. TOEFL- Like the IELTS, the TEOFL is also an international test to judge a student’s English level. Also like the IELTS, the TOEFL has the same four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Grades are scored between 310-677 points. Most universities in the US and Canada prefer to see TOEFL scores, but both of these test scores have become more and more interchangeable over the last few years. 

7. TESL- You can probably guess by now what this acronym means. It’s “Teaching English as a Second Language.” The TESL is a certificate earned by teachers who are generally planning to teach English in a country where English is the first language.

8. TEFL- A TEFL certificate is a little more common, since teachers who plan to “Teach English as a Foreign Language” would want to get this certificate. If you’re planning to teach in a country that does not have English as its first language, this is the better certificate to get. 

9. CELTA- While TESL and TEFL certificates are often basic requirements in countries, a CELTA is a bit more advanced. It stands for “Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.” What a mouthful, right? If a TEFL certificate is a high school diploma, then you could think of a CELTA as a college degree. Whereas a TEFL certificate gives you an introduction into the ESL world, the CELTA will allow you to dig deeper. A CELTA is only issued by Cambridge University, but can be completed in courses around the world. 

10. DELTA- I’ve often heard the DELTA referred to as a “Master’s in ESL.” It’s not truly a Master’s degree, but it certainly is the most extensive certificate that you can earn. DELTA stands for “Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.” In my experience, I’ve found it’s quite rare to meet someone who has a DELTA, and whereas no previous teaching experience is necessary to earn a TESL, TEFL, or CELTA certificate, teaching experience is recommended for a DELTA. 

I hope this list will be a helpful introduction to some of the most common ESL terms and abbreviations that are used in the “Teaching English” world. If you’re starting to learn about the ESL industry, don’t get overwhelmed by all the new terminology! Just take it one step at a time. You’ll find most of them have reoccurring patterns, and remember, Google is your best friend.