Distinguishing EFL & ESOL: Key Differences

EFL vs ESOL

English is an international language spoken and understood by people in most countries of the world. Even in countries where English is not spoken, students aim to master the language as they recognize its potential in terms of opportunities and employment. Two terms that can be confusing for those who want to make a career in teaching English to non-natives are EFL and ESOL, both of which pertain to teaching English to speakers of other languages. This article will explore the differences between EFL and ESOL.

Key Takeaways

• EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and applies to teachers who want to teach English to students in countries where English is not spoken by a majority of the people.
• ESOL is a recent abbreviation that has taken the place of ESL in some countries; it stands for English for Speakers of Other languages.
• While ESL is still used in the US, Australia, and Canada, ESOL is the term that has replaced ESL in the UK and New Zealand.

EFL is a term that stands for English as a Foreign Language and applies to teachers who want to teach English to students in countries where English is not spoken by a majority of the people. Asian countries such as Korea, China, and Japan happen to be perfect places for job opportunities as an EFL teacher. These are countries that teach students English from early years of education. Students do have a decent vocabulary and also have a grasp of grammar but lack proficiency in spoken English as they do not get exposure to situations where there are native English speakers. Students are desirous of mastering English as a spoken language to adjust well in English speaking countries when they get an opportunity to go there.

ESOL is a rather recent abbreviation that has taken the place of ESL in some countries. It stands for English for Speakers of Other languages. TESOL is the term applied to teachers of English who teach it to non-natives residing in these English speaking countries. While ESL is the term still being used in the US, Australia, and Canada, ESOL is the term that has replaced ESL in the UK and New Zealand.

What is the difference between EFL and ESOL? For a student desirous of learning English, the difference in terms such as EFL and ESOL may be immaterial, but for a teacher preparing for teaching students, there might be differences in approach and lesson plans. EFL is a term applied to teaching English to non-natives residing in countries where English is not spoken by a majority (for example, China, Thailand, Japan, Korea). ESOL is a rather recent term that has taken over ESL and is being used for teaching English to non-natives in English-speaking countries.