[asiaexpat]

Does ESL mean English second Language?
Anf what is TEFL? which I see around so much

[Eric]

asiaexpat,

ESL: English as a Second Language
Which means the study or learning of English in an environment where English is the predominant language, by someone whose first language is not English.

EFL: English as a Foreign Language
The study or learning of English in an environment where English is not already the predominant language, such as in a non English speaking country, by someone whose first language is not English.

You often find these words used interchangably

TEFL: Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Teaching English as a Foreign Language – is an industry catering for students studying English in non-English speaking countries (see EFL). It is often taught by both native English speakers and local experts, although native English speakers are generally considered preferable. Common qualifications for TEFL teachers include certificates and diplomas issued by UCLES (University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate) and Trinity International Examinations Board of Trinity College, London.

To learn more see this thread: http://eslhq.com/forums/showthread.p...o=newpost&t=68

[asiaexpat]

So you are a TEFL teacher? and your target audience for this forum is natives teaching english in an english environment?

[Eric]

Yeah, I'm a TEFL teacher. If I taught English to non-native English speakers say in Canada, then I would be a TEFL teacher. They are essentially the same.

The target audience of this site is primarily teachers who teach English to speakers of other languages. I chose ESL for the site name primarily because it's used a bit more and some of the larger sites similar to this one use ESL in their name. It's a bit more popular that EFL. Does that make sense?

[asiaexpat]

Quote Oreamnos

Yeah, I'm a TEFL teacher. If I taught English to non-native English speakers say in Canada, then I would be a TEFL teacher. They are essentially the same.

The target audience of this site is primarily teachers who teach English to speakers of other languages. I chose ESL for the site name primarily because it's used a bit more and some of the larger sites similar to this one use ESL in their name. It's a bit more popular that EFL. Does that make sense?

Environment where english is the predominant language. Does that include a school with english ciriculem in japan for example? Or are these definitions not important to anyone anymore?

[Eric]

That's a good question. There are quite a few schools in Korea like this. There's one nearby called the Foreign Language High School and all the classes are conducted in their chosen language of study. Since English(or whatever language they are studying) is secondary to the subject they are studying (ie. math, history, science) I would guess that falls outside the realm of teaching ESL or EFL. Most of the teachers who work at these schools are certified teachers from their native country, not just TEFL or TESL certified. That would not be enough.

[Happy Camper]

Yeah, I agree with you Oreamnos. If you are teaching core subjects, you are probably not an ESL teacher. They call that real teaching, instead! lol