ESL Glossary and Acronyms

The following is a list that includes the most commonly used ESL terms you will likely encounter on the web or elsewhere.

The problem with ESL acronyms is that they are frequently interchangeable depending on the setting and circumstances. Please also note that ESL terminology continues to evolve and changes are possible.

The most common ESL definitions are as follows:

BE = Bilingual Education
CLD = Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
DBE = Developmental Bilingual Education
EAL = English as an Additional Language
EAP = English for Academic Purposes
EIL = English as an International Language
ESD = English as a Second Dialect
ESL = English as a Second Language
EFL = English as a Foreign Language
ELD = English Language Development
ELL = English Language Learner
ELT = English Language Teacher of English Language Teaching
ESOL = English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESP = English for Special Purposes or English for Specific Purposes
EST = English for Science and Technology
ETJ = English Teachers in Japan
FLES = Foreign Language in Elementary Schools
HILT = High Intensity Language Training
IEP = Intensive English Program
L1 = First language
L2 = Second Language
LEP = Limited English Proficiency
NEP - Non-English Proficient
NES = Non-English Speaking
NNS = Non-Native Speaker
PHLOTE = Primary Home Language Other Than English
SLA = Second Language Acquisition
TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESL = Teaching English as a Second Language
TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
TYLE = Teaching Young Learners English
VESL = Vocational English as a Second Language

Further references to the above:

TEFL - This term is commonly used when English is being taught in a country where English isn't the native language (for example teaching English to Portuguese speakers in Brazil).

TESL - Where English is being taught to non-native speakers of English in a country where it is the native language, the term TESL is found (for example teaching emigrants to the UK or USA).

ELT - This term can be found mainly in use by Institutions in the United Kingdom (UK).

ESL - The term ESL is used frequently in the USA.

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ESL Glossary and Acronyms