English as a second or foreign language facts for kids
English as a second or foreign language is all about how people who speak other languages learn and use English. You might hear different names for this, like English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English as a Second Language (ESL), or English Language Learners (ELL).
When we talk about teaching English to these students, we use terms like TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages). TEFL usually means teaching English in a country where English isn't the main language. TESL means teaching English to people who have moved to an English-speaking country. TESOL is a wider term that covers both.
Some people prefer the term "English Language Learners" (ELL) because it sounds more positive. It also reminds us that many students already know other languages before they start learning English. It's important to remember and respect their first languages and cultures!
People learn English in many ways. Some take classes at school, while others study at home. Some programs use a mix of English and the student's native language. Other programs use only English, but they make the words and grammar easier to understand. Learning English helps people connect with others around the world.
English is taught everywhere because it's a very important language globally. In countries where English isn't the main language, there are two main reasons people learn it. Some learn English because they want to move to an English-speaking country. Others learn it to understand English movies, books, or for work and international business.
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What Do the Terms Mean?
There are many short forms and abbreviations used when talking about learning English. It can be a bit confusing! Here are some common ones:
- English Language Teaching (ELT): This is a general term for teaching English.
- English as a Foreign Language (EFL): This means learning English in a country where English is not the main language. For example, a student in Japan learning English would be an EFL learner. They usually learn English for school exams or for future jobs that deal with international business.
- English as a Second Language (ESL): This means learning English in a country where English is widely spoken. For example, an immigrant in the United States learning English would be an ESL learner. These students often learn English to live and work in their new country.
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL): This term is used in places like the UK and Ireland for people learning English.
- English as an Additional Language (EAL): This term is used in the UK for school-aged children who are learning English as another language, not their first.
- English Language Learner (ELL): This is a common term for anyone who is learning English. It focuses on the student who is learning.
Why Is English Tricky to Learn?
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Learning English can be hard because it's very different from many other languages. For example, someone who speaks Chinese might find English harder than someone who speaks German, because German is more similar to English.
Students often make mistakes with grammar, words, and how they say things. This can happen because they try to use the rules from their first language in English. This is called "language transfer."
Here are some common difficulties:
Pronunciation Challenges
English has many sounds that are not found in other languages. This can make it hard for learners to hear and say them correctly.
- The "th" sound (like in "three" or "the") is rare in other languages.
- It can be hard to tell the difference between sounds like "i" in "beat" and "i" in "bit."
- Some learners struggle to tell the difference between "r" and "l" sounds.
- The sounds for "b" and "v" can also be confusing for some.
- English words can have many consonants together, like in "strengths." Some learners might add extra vowel sounds to break up these clusters.
Grammar Challenges
English grammar has its own set of rules that can be tricky.
- Verb Tenses: English has many ways to talk about time, like "I ate" (simple past) versus "I have eaten" (present perfect). These small differences can be hard to master.
- Helper Verbs: English uses "do," "does," and "did" a lot for questions and negative sentences (e.g., "He doesn't sleep," "Does he sleep?"). This is different from many languages.
- Modal Verbs: Words like "must," "can," "should," and "may" are called modal verbs. They show things like obligation, ability, or possibility. For example, "You must be here" means you have to be there, but "You must not drink the water" means it's forbidden.
- Idioms: English has many idioms, which are phrases where the meaning isn't obvious from the individual words (e.g., "break a leg" means good luck).
- Articles: Using "the," "a," and "an" correctly can be very difficult. Some languages don't have these words at all, or they use them differently.
Vocabulary Challenges
- Phrasal Verbs: These are verbs combined with a preposition or adverb (e.g., "look up," "give up"). They often have many different meanings, which can be confusing.
- Prepositions: Words like "on," "of," and "at" are prepositions. Using the correct one in English can be very hard because their meaning changes a lot depending on the context.
- Word Formation: English words can change their meaning by adding prefixes (like "un-" in "unable" or "in-" in "inappropriate"). There are many different prefixes, so it takes a lot of memorization.
- Huge Vocabulary: English has a very large number of words because it has borrowed from many other languages throughout its history. This means learners have a lot of words to learn!
- Slang and Colloquialisms: Everyday English often uses slang words and informal phrases that are not taught in textbooks. These can be very confusing for new learners and change quickly.
- Silent Letters: Many English words have letters that are written but not pronounced (e.g., the "k" in "knight" or the "w" in "Wednesday"). This makes spelling and pronunciation tricky.
Literacy Challenges
Some learners might have trouble with reading and writing in English, even if they can speak it well. This can happen if they didn't have much schooling in their first language or if they haven't read or written much in English before.
How Technology Helps Learning
Technology is a big part of learning English today.
- Computers and Apps: Computers and language learning apps help students practice their skills and learn at their own pace. They can find lots of information online.
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR apps can mix virtual objects with the real world. This makes learning more engaging and helps students explore new concepts.
- Online Content: Videos, memes, and online chats are great ways to find real English being used. They can be easier to understand for some learners because they include pictures and sounds.
- Games: Many games are designed to help you learn English. They make learning fun and interactive, which helps students stay interested.
- Dictionaries: Electronic dictionaries are very popular. They can give definitions, example sentences, and even say the word aloud. This helps students learn new words on their own.
Different Kinds of English
English is spoken all over the world, and it has many different forms.
- Regional Differences: English in England sounds different from English in Australia, Canada, or the United States. They might have different accents, words, and even some grammar differences.
- No Single "Right" Way: Unlike some languages that have official groups controlling how they are spoken, English doesn't have one single organization that decides the "correct" way to speak it. This means there's a lot of variety!
Because of these differences, learning English means not just learning one way to speak it, but also understanding that there are many different accents and ways people use the language. This helps students understand English speakers from all over the world.
English Exams
Many students take tests to show how well they can speak, read, write, and understand English. These tests are often needed for going to university or for immigration. Some popular international exams include:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic)
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
- Cambridge English Exams (like KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE)
The Common European Framework
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEF) is a system that helps describe how well someone can use a language. It has three main levels:
- A. Basic User: For beginners.
- B. Independent User: For those who can use the language on their own.
- C. Proficient User: For advanced users.
Each level is divided into two parts (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2), giving a clear way to measure language skills across different tests and countries.
Short Forms and Abbreviations
Here are some common short forms you might see in English language learning:
Types of English
- BE – Business English
- EAL – English as an additional language
- EAP – English for academic purposes (English for studying)
- EFL – English as a foreign language
- EIL – English as an international language
- ELF – English as a lingua franca (a common language used by people who don't share a native language)
- ELL – English language learner
- ELT – English language teaching
- ESL – English as a second language
- ESOL – English for speakers of other languages
- ESP – English for specific purposes (English for a special job or hobby, like medical English)
- TEFL – Teaching English as a foreign language
- TESL – Teaching English as a second language
- TESOL – Teaching English to speakers of other languages
- TYLE – Teaching Young Learners English
Other Abbreviations
- IELTS – International English Language Testing System
- TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
- TOEIC – Test of English for International Communication
See also
In Spanish: Inglés como segunda lengua para niños
- Spanish as a second or foreign language
Language terminology
- Foreign language
- Second language
General language teaching and learning
- Language education
- Second-language acquisition
English language teaching and learning
- Non-native pronunciations of English
- Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL)
Contemporary English
- Comparison of American and British English
- English language
- International English
Dictionaries and resources
- Advanced learner's dictionary
