TL;DR
- ESL stands for English as a Second Language. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the teaching of English to speakers of other languages who live in a country where English is an official or important language”, and contrasts it with EFL, English as a Foreign Language, “the teaching of English to students whose first language is not English”. An ESL teacher or ESL instructor is therefore someone who teaches English to people living in an English-speaking country, though in practice the titles are used loosely.
- The acronyms confuse because they overlap. Prospects explains that TEFL, TESL and TESOL “are often used interchangeably, although the focus of the role differs slightly”: TEFL generally refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the first language, TESL to teaching non-native speakers living in an English-speaking country, and TESOL is the broader term that covers both and is often used for qualifications that apply in either context. ESOL is the usual term in UK adult and further education; EAL is the term used in UK schools.
- The work itself is consistent whatever the label: planning and delivering lessons in the four skills, setting and marking assessments, adapting materials, supporting learners' goals, keeping registers and progress records, and preparing for inspection or accreditation. Most employers expect a recognised qualification such as CELTA or CertTESOL, which Prospects describes as around 200 hours of study including at least six hours of observed teaching practice, and an advert should say the learners, the level, the hours and whether the qualification is required or funded.
Somebody applies for an ESL job and is asked whether they have TESOL. They have a CELTA. The school means TEFL but advertised ESOL, and the college down the road calls the same job EAL. The ESL instructor meaning is not complicated, but six overlapping acronyms sit on top of it, and most explanations online simply list them without saying what actually separates them.
This article defines ESL using the Cambridge Dictionary, maps the acronyms against each other using the Prospects careers service, sets out the seven duties of the job, explains where ESL teachers work and the qualification route, and says what an advert should contain.
Language teachers are appraised on lessons nobody else sees, so the evidence has to be gathered across the year. See how New Dynamics performance reviews bring goals, feedback and development into one fair conversation on your own form.
What ESL stands for
The Cambridge Dictionary defines ESL as an “abbreviation for English as a Second Language: the teaching of English to speakers of other languages who live in a country where English is an official or important language”.
It contrasts that directly with EFL, an “abbreviation for English as a Foreign Language: the teaching of English to students whose first language is not English”.
So the textbook distinction is about where the learner is. Someone learning English in Manchester or Toronto is an ESL learner; someone learning English in Madrid or Seoul is an EFL learner. An ESL teacher or ESL instructor is the person teaching the first group.
In practice the line blurs, because the same teacher may do both in one career and because employers use whichever term their market recognises.
The acronym map
| Term | Stands for | Where it is used |
|---|---|---|
| ESL | English as a Second Language | Learners living in an English-speaking country; common in North America |
| EFL | English as a Foreign Language | Learners in a country where English is not the first language |
| ESOL | English for Speakers of Other Languages | UK adult and further education; the usual UK public-sector term |
| TEFL | Teaching English as a Foreign Language | The teaching and the qualification, generally abroad |
| TESL | Teaching English as a Second Language | The teaching of non-native speakers in an English-speaking country |
| TESOL | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | The broad term covering both, and many qualifications |
| EAL | English as an Additional Language | UK schools, for pupils whose first language is not English |
Prospects puts the relationship between the middle three plainly: TEFL, TESL and TESOL “are often used interchangeably, although the focus of the role differs slightly. In general, TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English isn't the first language, while TESL is used for teaching non-native speakers living in an English-speaking country. TESOL is a broader term that covers both TEFL and TESL and is often used for qualifications or roles that apply in either context.”
Two practical rules follow. If you are writing an advert, use the term your candidates search for in your market and explain the job in the first paragraph. If you are applying, do not rule yourself out over an acronym: read the duties and the qualification required.
What an ESL teacher does: seven duties
O*NET covers the role in its occupation for adult basic education, adult secondary education and English as a Second Language instructors, which lists “ESL Instructor”, “ESL Teacher” and “ESOL Teacher” among its reported job titles and places the occupation in Job Zone four. Combining its tasks with the Prospects responsibilities gives seven duties.
- Assess the learner. Observe students to determine their qualifications, limitations, abilities, interests and other individual characteristics, and place them at the right level.
- Plan and deliver lessons. Establish clear objectives for lessons, units and projects and communicate them; teach individually and in groups through discussion, demonstration and practice across listening, speaking, reading and writing; lessons are usually delivered entirely in English, even for beginners.
- Adapt materials. Adapt teaching methods and materials to meet varying needs, abilities and interests; create or modify digital, audio and visual resources; use online platforms to support delivery.
- Assess and give feedback. Set and mark tests, assignments and exercises; provide constructive feedback on oral and written work; observe and evaluate progress and suggest improvements.
- Support the learner's goals. Advise students on their language goals and progress, and prepare them for further education by encouraging them to explore opportunities and persevere with challenging tasks.
- Records and compliance. Maintain accurate registers, attendance records and progress reports as required by law or policy, and prepare materials for inspection, accreditation or quality assurance.
- The wider school. Attend staff meetings and training; take part in social and cultural activities such as excursions and school events; contribute to marketing or promotional activities where the school expects it.
Where ESL teachers work
Prospects lists language schools, further education colleges, universities and private training centres, in the UK and abroad, with some teachers working in business and industry and others working freelance or online. In the UK, publicly funded provision is usually labelled ESOL and sits in further education and adult and community learning; private language schools serving international students usually use EFL or TEFL; schools use EAL for pupils.
Hours vary more than in most teaching: intensive summer courses, evening classes for working adults, one-to-one business English, and online teaching across time zones. State the pattern in the advert, because it decides who can take the job.
Qualifications and the route in
Prospects says most employers expect “a recognised TEFL qualification accredited by a reputable examination body or university”, and names two: the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA), awarded by Cambridge English, and the Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CertTESOL), awarded by Trinity College London. Courses are available in the UK and worldwide, full or part time, face to face, online or blended; they typically last four to five weeks full time or several months part time and involve “around 200 hours of study, including at least six hours of observed teaching practice”. Entry usually requires being 18 or over, qualifications that allow entry to higher education, and an excellent standard of English.
Beyond that: some countries require an undergraduate degree for a work visa; UK school teaching requires qualified teacher status; further education may require qualified teacher learning and skills status; and higher education typically requires advanced qualifications and substantial experience. Progression, Prospects notes, runs to senior teacher, subject leader or director of studies, with curriculum development, staff training and administration attached.
What an ESL advert should say
- The learners. Adults or children, general English, exam preparation, academic English or business English, and their level.
- The label and the reality. Whichever acronym the market uses, plus a plain sentence describing the teaching.
- Hours and pattern. Term-time, summer intensive, evenings, weekends, online, and the number of contact hours.
- The qualification. Which certificate is required, which is preferred, and whether the employer funds or supports it.
- Preparation and admin time. Paid or unpaid, and how much. This is the most common source of dissatisfaction in language teaching and the most commonly omitted from adverts.
- Progression. Senior teacher, director of studies, teacher training, and what it takes.
Frequently asked questions
What does ESL stand for?
English as a Second Language. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as the teaching of English to speakers of other languages who live in a country where English is an official or important language. An ESL teacher or ESL instructor teaches those learners.
What is the difference between ESL and EFL?
Where the learner is. ESL is teaching English to people living in an English-speaking country; EFL, in the Cambridge Dictionary's definition, is the teaching of English to students whose first language is not English, typically in a country where English is not the first language. The same teacher often does both across a career.
What is the difference between TEFL, TESL and TESOL?
Prospects says the three are often used interchangeably although the focus differs slightly: TEFL generally refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the first language; TESL to teaching non-native speakers living in an English-speaking country; and TESOL is the broader term covering both, often used for qualifications that apply in either context.
What qualifications does an ESL teacher need?
Most employers expect a recognised qualification such as CELTA, awarded by Cambridge English, or CertTESOL, awarded by Trinity College London, which Prospects describes as around 200 hours of study including at least six hours of observed teaching practice. A degree is required for work visas in some countries, and UK school, further and higher education roles have their own requirements.
Is an ESL instructor the same as an ESL teacher?
In everyday use, yes; instructor is the more common title in North America and in adult and vocational settings, teacher in schools and UK language schools. The US occupational database lists ESL Instructor, ESL Teacher and ESOL Teacher together in one occupation.
Your next step: write the advert in plain English
- Say who the learners are and at what level, in the first line.
- Use the acronym your market searches for, then describe the job without acronyms.
- State contact hours, preparation time and whether it is paid.
- Say which qualification is required, which is preferred, and what the school funds.
For an appraisal that rests on evidence gathered through the year rather than one observed lesson, read and download our performance review guide. The guide is free to read, and the PDF uses our short download form.
Want lesson observations, objectives and development records in one place, on your own review form? Book a New Dynamics demo and bring your current observation form. You can also email contact@new-dynamics.com.
