English
as a Foreign Language and English as a Second Language are two terms that
describe how English is seen. These two terms are used to refer to those
learning English as a non-native language. They learn English as a foreign language
or second language.
English
is learnt as a foreign language by non-natives in their own countries. English
is learnt as a second language by non-natives in a ‘native’ country. There are other definitions as well. The Advanced Learner’s Dictionary says: “EFL
refers to the teaching of English to people for whom it is not the first
language; ESL refers to the teaching of English as a foreign language to people
who are living in a country in which English is either the first or second
language.” Confusing, isn’t it? The definitions imply that these two terms are
being used interchangeably. In the words of Dr, Marcwardt, in September—October
1971 issue of The Forum, said: “English as a second language, for the most part, demands the ability to speak
and comprehend; English as a foreign
language may opt for reading as the principal aim.”
But
these definitions do not take into account non-native countries where English
IS declared as an official language which implies it’s thought of as a second
language; For instance, in India, English is an official language at the
Centre, is not needed for oral or written communication but required for
knowledge acquisition at higher levels (Courses at higher levels are taught
through local languages but they’re not popular) and is used for oral
communication between those whose mother tongues are different. For another, in
Ethiopia, English is not used for oral or even written communication but is
very much needed for academic purposes from the sixth year of schooling. In
countries like Singapore, English may be required for all purposes. In
countries like France and Germany, English is NOT required for any purpose.
The
English curriculums in native and non-native countries like India do not vary
much.
Department
for Education, England’s English Programme of Study in National Curriculum has
three components: spoken language, reading and writing; Spelling, vocabulary,
grammar, punctuation are to be taught in an integrated fashion. Interestingly enough, ‘listening’ is not seen
and taught as a separate skill, requiring equal attention. There’s a glossary
for the teacher.
An
English Language Arts Curriculum Framework for American Public Schools consists
of listening and speaking (discussion and group work and oral presentation),
language study (structure and convention of modern English, vocabulary and content development, formal and informal English), reading and literature, research and
composition.
Source: www.uaedreform.org/wp-content/.../Stotsky-Optional_ELA_standards.p...
National
Council of Education, Research and Training, India includes three skills:
speaking (listening), reading and writing with emphasis on grammar and
vocabulary.
Internet wasn’t much of help when I tried to learn
the English curriculum in countries like France.
Both ESL and EFL are nebulous in their descriptions and
hence the acronym TESOL was born to include both TEFL and TESL and has been in
vogue since the 1970s. But several others have sprung up: EAP—English for
Academic Purposes, ESP—English for Specific Purposes (here we have branches
like EST—English for Science and Technology), The
United Kingdom, New Zealand and Ireland now use the term ‘English for Speakers
of Other Languages’ (ESOL), and the expression ‘English as an Additional
Language’ (EAL) is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. The United States,
Canada and Australia continue to use ESL, but ‘English Language Learner’ (ELL)
is now more widely used to describe a student learning ESL. EAL—English as an
Additional Language is also gaining currency in these countries. Source: http://blog.about-esl.com/difference-between-esl-efl/
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