What do the acronyms, TESOL, TEFL and TESL mean?
The industry of English language learning and teaching uses many terms and acronyms. Here is a distinction of the terms and how they interrelate. TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language These three terms are often used interchangeably but there is a slight distinction. TESL refers to English language teaching in English-speaking countries like the United States. TEFL refers to English language teaching in non-English-speaking countries like Brazil. TESOL is term that covers the industry including both TESL and TEFL.