TESOL

TESOL is an acronym standing for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages and is most often used to describe the profession of those who teach English to students as either a second or foreign language. This type of English teacher must receive special accreditation, most commonly a CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults).

TESOL is often used interchangeably with TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), but there are subtle differences in their connotations which depend on where the teaching is conducted. TESL refers to the teaching of English in a region where English is the dominant language. In this case, to learn English is to learn the native language. TEFL, on the other hand, refers to the teaching of English in a region where English is not the dominant language. In this case, to learn English is to learn a foreign language. Because the circumstances under which learning English differ, two distinct terms have been created to describe each. TESOL has become a popular umbrella term as it does not distinguish between English as a foreign or second language, like TEFL and TESL respectively do.

TESOL may also refer to TESOL Inc., or Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Incorporated, a professional organization for people in this field.