Confusingly, the English language teaching world has a bewildering array of abbreviations and acronyms, many of which mean the same thing, and most of which have no official significance. ELT stands for English Language Teaching (or English Language Training-take your pick). This is a blanket term that covers all forms of English language acquisition, whether for native- or non-native speakers. EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and involves the acquisition of English by non-native speakers. ESL stands for English as a Second Language and involves the acquisition of English by non-native speakers. ESOL stands for English for Speakers of Other Languages and involves the acquisition of English by non-native speakers. EAL stands for English as an Additional Language and involves the acquisition of English by non-native speakers. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and involves teaching English to non-native speakers. TESL stands for Teaching English as a Second Language and involves teaching English to non-native speakers. TEAL stands for Teaching English as an Additional Language and involves teaching English to non-native speakers. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and involves teaching English to non-native speakers. The acronym TESOL is also used by an American teachers' association, the full name of which is "Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Incorporated".
