Below is a list of ESL acronyms and abbreviations useful for ESL and EFL teachers. Just as with any profession, teaching English as a Second Language has its own vocabulary, terms, expressions, abbreviations and acronyms.
Most Common Acronyms
| ESL Acronym or Word | Definition | Notes |
| EFL | English as a Foreign Language | This is used when a non-native English speaker is studying English in a non-English speaking country. |
| ESL | English as a Second Language | Used when a non-native-English speaker is studying English in an English-speaking country. See Differences between EFL and ESL. |
| ESOL | English for Speakers of Other Languages | This term is more recent and is intended to be a more inclusive term (includes ESL and EFL). |
| TEFL | Teaching English as a Foreign Language | A TEFL teacher will be one who teaches English to speakers of other languages in non-native-English-speaking countries. |
| TESL | Teaching English as a Second Language | A TESL teacher teaches English to speakers of other languages in an English-speaking country. |
| TESOL | Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages; Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. | A more inclusive term for teaching EFL and ESL. The second definition is the name of a teachers’ association. |
| TOEFL | Test of English as a Foreign Language | - |
| TOEIC | Test of English for International Communication | - |
Other ESL Abbreviations, Acronyms, and Terms
| ESL Acronym or Word | Definition | Notes |
| CALL | Computer Assisted Language Learning | - |
| CELTA | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults | Also called Cambridge CELTA. CELTA course locations are all over the world. Compare to CTESOL. |
| CELTYL | Certificate in English Language Teaching to Young Learners | - |
| CTESOL | Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages | Compare to CELTA. |
| DELTA | Diploma in English Language Training to Adults | - |
| EAP | English for Academic Purposes | - |
| ELL | English Language Learner | - |
| ELT | English Language Training or English Language Teaching | - |
| ESP | English for Specific Purposes or English for Special Purposes | - |
| FLT | Foreign Language Teaching | - |
| ICELT | In-service Certificate in English Language Teaching | For non-native English teachers already teaching English. |
| IEP | Intensive English Program | - |
| IPA | International Phonetic Alphabet or International Phonetic Association | - |
| L1 | Language 1 | Refers to the student’s first, or native language. |
| L2 | Language 2 | Refers to the new language that the student is learning. |
| LEP | Limited English Proficient or Limited English Proficiency | - |
| LES | Limited English Speaker | - |
| NNS | Non-Native Speaker | - |
| NS | Native Speaker | - |
| SLA | Second Language Acquisition | - |
| TPR | Total Physical Response | - |
| VESL | Vocational English as a Second Language | - |
