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English language teaching and learning

CALL

noun

computer-assisted language learning: the use of computer software for learning languages

CELTA

noun

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults: a qualification from the University of Cambridge in the UK that you get when you have completed a course for new teachers of adult students learning English as a foreign language

EAL

noun

English as an Additional Language: English taught to people who have moved to an English-speaking country and whose first language is not English, especially schoolchildren. EAL can also refer to English taught to all people whose first language is not English.

EAP

noun

English for Academic Purposes: English taught to people whose first language is not English, but who need English for a course of study that they are doing

EFL

noun

English as a Foreign Language: English taught to people who need to learn it for their studies or their career, and who do not live in an English-speaking country

ELT

noun

English Language Teaching: the teaching of English to students whose first language is not English

ESL

noun

English as a Second Language: English taught to people whose first language is not English, but who live in an English-speaking country and need English to communicate in daily life. This term is used especially in the US, Canada, and Australia.

ESOL

noun

English for Speakers of Other Languages: English taught to people whose first language is not English, but who live in an English-speaking country and need English to communicate in daily life. This term is used especially in the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand.

ESP

noun

English for Specific Purposes or English for Special Purposes: English taught to people whose first language is not English, but who need to know technical, scientific, and other English vocabulary from specific fields for their careers or education

IELTS

noun

International English Language Testing System: a test organized by the University of Cambridge in the UK for students who need a qualification in English in order to be able to study at a university in the UK, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand

TEFL

noun

the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language

TESL

noun

Teaching English as a Second Language: teaching English to people who live in a country where English is spoken but who do not speak English as their first language

TESOL

noun

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: teaching English to people whose first language is not English

TOEFL

a registered trademark for a test of English as a foreign language. The TOEFL® test is taken by people who want to study at university in the US and other English-speaking countries, or who want to join certain independent organizations and institutions.

TOEIC

a registered trademark for a test of English used for international communication. The TOEIC® test shows employers how well speakers of other languages read and understand English.

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

dray

a type of cart pulled by a horse and used in the past for carrying barrels of beer

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

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