October 24, 2022
What is the difference between EFL and ESL?
ESL and EFL are two ways of teaching and learning the English language. Often people feel confused about these two acronyms. However, they shouldn’t be a cause for concern. If you have questions about the differences between them then keep reading, you might find the answers you need.
Main differences between ESL and EFL.
English as a Second Language (ESL) is much more immersive than EFL. This is because ESL is supposed to take place in an English-speaking context. The learners will experience a greater level of exposure outside the classroom as well as opportunities to apply what they have learned.
In the methodology of English as a Foreign Language (EFL)Most learning occurs within the classroom. This is because it is normally used in non-English speaking countries. Students use the English language inside the classroom but use their language outside of it.
Motivation levels can be quite different between ESL and EFL students.
Particularly, ESL students may have a greater urgency to learn the language and be competent when communicating in English. After all, English is part of their daily lives, and they need it to succeed in many everyday activities. In contrast, learners of EFL might need more encouragement from the teacher but also, because their need is not as urgent, they might take their time and be keen on accuracy since they are more likely to be learning the language for academic purposes than ESL students.
ESL students are often taught language and skills that will be helpful for them in their content classes, which are also taught in English. In contrast, EFL programs are typically structured based on several grammatical structures and vocabulary that are graded in order of difficulty.
EFL students from the same group usually share the same language and culture. This is because they typically take their courses in their home country while ESL students are often immigrants in an English-speaking country. Thus, classes are usually of mixed nationalities; students don’t share a native language or a common culture. This has an impact both on the materials to be used in class, and on the preparation of the session.
EFL students often need more opportunities to practice their speaking skills, compared to ESL students, who are immersed in the language when they leave the class.
And do EFL and ESL share anything?
In general, we can say that the differences between EFL and ESL are based on the “location” where the courses take place, the needs of the students, and their profiles. However, they also have things in common. Nowadays especially, they sometimes share techniques and materials.
CLIL is a good example of how EFL learners can have more chances of learning English through content lessons. More and more EFL materials include problem-solving methodologies which are used in ESL too. Practical and active methodologies are also shared by ESL and EFL.
For EFL and ESL courses to be successful, there should be an appreciation of all cultures, races, and people from different backgrounds. Both methods have the goal of providing a good environment for teaching and learning, making sessions engaging and memorable for the learner.
Whether you are an EFL learner or an ESL learner, it doesn’t matter. In the end, a successful language learner knows the language and can communicate effectively with others in that language, regardless of the method used in his language classes.
What about you? What do you think about these approaches to language teaching? How did you learn English? Is there any space for a “mixed” approach? Share your thoughts with us! #RichmondSolutionCommunity #RSTeachers #Let’sBlog
