ESL

ESL means “English as a second language”. People usually use the word ESL to talk about teaching English to people who do not speak English. Usually, ESL teaching happens in an English-speaking country. Often, ESL students are people who came to live in an English-speaking country, and do not speak English very well.

If we talk about teaching or learning English in a country where English is not spoken, we usually use the word “EFL”, but “ESL” is sometimes used, too.

Here are some example phrases with the word ESL:

• an ESL website
• Laura is an excellent ESL student.
• Most ESL teachers are native speakers.
• Paul goes to an advanced ESL class.
• The book is full of boring ESL quizzes and activities.
• He was reading an ESL magazine.