What is the difference between esol and ell

Sometimes it's easy to get so lost in the letters and acronyms that are used to talk about the industry, that you can't see the wood for the trees. Fields within English Language Study. The following terms relate to the study of English as a language in different settings.

They focus on the types of language being taught, and how students work with the language in class. EAL : English as an Additional Language - commonly taught as a language support subject in primary and high schools to help second-language students with their English for study. ESOL : English for Speakers of Other Languages - A broad term which includes any English language teaching that happens with students whose first language is not English, wherever they are and for whatever purpose they are studying.

Students who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language to the extent that their language skills would be a barrier to their success in the classroom. ESOL Goals:. The ESOL teachers work in collaboration with classroom and other special programs teachers to support the acquisition of language and content skills. ESL meaning: English as a Second Language is learning English in a country where English is dominantly spoken or where English is the official language.

For example, students from non-native English-speaking countries who come to the U. They acquire English as a means to communicate in the dominant language spoken in the community where they reside. For example, students in China who are learning English are considered EFL students because English is not the official language of the country. But if those same students were in the U. One reason why this term was created is because some individuals argue that when students are learning English in a native English-speaking country ESL , these students are not necessarily learning a second language.

English as a Second Language, then, is limiting and not fully comprehensive in its description. It has been brought to my attention, however, that some school districts prefer to use the term ESOL English Speakers of Other Languages to describe their student population.

This could simply be a preference issue. MLA 8 Kaushik, Nimisha. Name required. Email required. Please note: comment moderation is enabled and may delay your comment. There is no need to resubmit your comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. Written by : Nimisha Kaushik. User assumes all risk of use, damage, or injury.