English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages. Language education for people learning English may be known as English as a second language (ESL), English as a foreign language (EFL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL). The aspect in which ESL is taught is referred to as teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), teaching English as a second language (TESL) or teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Technically, TEFL refers to English language teaching in a country where English is not the official language, TESL refers to teaching English to non-native English speakers in a native English speaking country and TESOL covers both. In practice, however, each of these terms tends to be used more generically across the full field. The one you are more likely to hear depends largely on your location - with TEFL more widely used in the UK and TESL or TESOL in the US.[1]
The term "ESL" has been seen by some to indicate that English would be of subordinate importance; for example, where English is used as a lingua franca in a multilingual country. The term can be a misnomer for some students who have learned several languages before learning English. The terms "English language learners" (ELL), and, more recently, "English learners" (EL), have been used instead, and the students' native languages and cultures are considered important.[2]
Methods of learning English are highly variable, depending on the student's level of English proficiency and the manner and setting in which they are taught, which can range from required classes in school to self-directed study at home, or a blended combination of both. In some programs, educational materials (including spoken lectures and written assignments) are provided in a mixture of English, and the student's native language. In other programs, educational materials are always in English, but the vocabulary, grammar, and context clues may be modified to be more easily understood by students with varying levels of comprehension (Wright, 2010). Adapting comprehension, insight-oriented repetitions, and recasts are some of the methods used in training. However, without proper cultural immersion (social learning grounds) the associated language habits and reference points (internal mechanisms) of the host country are not completely transferred through these programs (Wright, 2010). As a further complication, the syntax of the language is based on Latin grammar hence it suffers inconsistencies.[3][4][5] The major engines that influence the language are the United States and the United Kingdom and they both have assimilated the language differently so they differ in expressions and usage. This is found to a great extent primarily in pronunciation and vocabulary. Variants of the English language also exist in both of these countries (e.g. African American Vernacular English).
The English language has a great reach and influence, and English is taught all over the world. In countries where English is not usually a native language, there are two distinct models for teaching English: Educational programs for students who want to move to English-speaking countries, and other programs for students who do not intend to move but who want to understand English content for the purposes of education, entertainment, employment or conducting international business. The differences between these two models of English language education have grown larger over time, and teachers focusing on each model have used different terminology, received different training, and formed separate professional associations. English is also taught as a second language for recent immigrants to English-speaking countries, which faces separate challenges because the students in one class may speak many different native languages.
Between 1998 and 2000, the Council of Europe's language policy division developed it's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The aim of this framework was to have a common system for foreign language testing and certification, to cover all European languages and countries.
The Common European Framework (CEF) divides language learners into three levels:
Each of these levels is divided into two sections, resulting in a total of six levels for testing (A1, A2, B1, etc.).
This table compares ELT exams according to the CEF levels:
CEF Level | ALTE Level | RQF Level | PTE General | Trinity College London ESOL GESE | Trinity College London ESOL ISE | UBELT exam | IELTS | Cambridge English Language Assessment BULATS | Cambridge English Language Assessment BEC | Cambridge English Language Assessment General | Cambridge English Language Assessment YLE | Cambridge English Language Assessment Skills for Life[59] | CaMLA[60] |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
C2 | Level 5 | Level 3 | Level 5 | Grade 12 | ISE IV | 4.0–5.0 | 8.5–9.0 | 90–100 | n/a | CPE | n/a | n/a | ECPE |
C1 | Level 4 | Level 2 | Level 4 | Grade 10,11 | ISE III | 3.0–3.5 | 7.0–8.0 | 75–89 | Higher | CAE | n/a | Level 2 | MET, MELAB |
B2 | Level 3 | Level 1 | Level 3 | Grade 7,8,9 | ISE II | 2.0–2.5 | 5.5 – 6.5 | 60–74 | Vantage | FCE | n/a | Level 1 | MET, MELAB, ECCE |
B1 | Level 2 | Entry 3 | Level 2 | Grade 5,6 | ISE I | 1.5 | 4.0 – 5.0 | 40–59 | Preliminary | PET | n/a | Entry 3 | MET, MELAB |
A2 | Level 1 | Entry 2 | Level 1 | Grades 3,4 | ISE 0 | 1.0 | n/a | 20–39 | n/a | KET | Flyers | Entry 2 | MET, YLTE |
A1 | Breakthrough | Entry 1 | Level A1 | Grade 2 | n/a | <1.0 | n/a | 0-19 | n/a | n/a | Movers | Entry 1 | YLTE |
Qualifications vary from one region or jurisdiction to the next. There are also different qualifications for those who manage or direct TESOL programs[61] Between 1998 and 2000, the Council of Europe's language policy division developed it's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. The aim of this framework was to have a common system for foreign language testing and certification, to cover all European languages and countries.
The Common European Framework (CEF) divides language learners into three levels:
Each of these levels is divided into two sections, resulting in a total of six levels for testing (A1, A2, B1, etc.).
This table compares ELT exams according to the CEF levels: