Glossar

The world of teaching English as a Foreign Language is full of an array of abbreviations and acronyms. This glossary is your guide to the world of these acronyms and their meanings.

A1 Beginner level on the Common European Framework for Languages
A2 Upper beginner level on the Common European Framework for Languages
ABLS Accreditation Body for Language Services
ACTFL American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
AGRR Anglo-German Remembrance and Reconciliation (project led by the Academy of English)
AoE Academy of English
ARELS Association of Recognized English Language Services
ALTE The Association of Language Testers in Europe
B1 Intermediate level on the Common European Framework for Languages
B2 Upper intermediate level on the Common European Framework for Languages
BASELT British Association of State English Language Teaching
BC British Council
BE bilingual education
BEC Business English Certificate (Cambridge test)
BL Blended Learning
C1 Advanced level on the Common European Framework for Languages
C2 Upper advanced level on the Common European Framework for Languages (near-native speaker)
CAE Cambridge Advanced English (test from Cambridge at C1 level)
CALL computer assisted language learning
CaMLA CaMLA English Placement Test
CEFR Common European Framework for Reference in Languages (system of descriptors to define language competencies)
CEELT Cambridge Examination in English for Language Teachers
CELT-P Certificate in English Language Teaching – Primary
CELT-S Certificate in English Language Teaching – Secondary
CELTA Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Cert IBET Trinity London Certificate in International Business English Teaching
CertTESOL Trinity London certificate for those with little or no experience of teaching English
CertTEYL Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners
CILT Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research
CLT communicative language teaching
CLIL Content and Language Integrated Learning
CPD Continued Professional Development
CPE Cambridge Proficiency English (test from Cambridge at C2 level)
DELTA Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
DoS director of studies
DTLLS Diploma for Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector
EAP English for academic purposes
EAQUALS The European Association for Quality Language Service
ECCE Examination for the Certificate in Competency in English
ECCO English Conversation and Culture Oldenburg (method adopted by the Academy of English to teach English)
ECPE Examination for the Certificate in Proficiency in English
EFL English as a Foreign Language
EIKEN The EIKEN Test in Practical English Proficiency
ELICOS English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (Australian)
ELL English Language Learner
ELT English Language Training or Teaching
EMT English Mother Tongue
EPT English Placement Test
ESB English Speaking Board
ESL English as a Second Language
ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages
ESP English for Specific Purposes
ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages
EST English for Science and technology
ETS Educational Testing Service
FE Further Education
FES Fluent English Speaker
FIRST Cambridge First Certificate in English (test from Cambridge at B2 level)
FTCL Fellowship Trinity College London
GESE Graded Examinations in Spoken English (Trinity College London English test)
HA The High Arcal School, a partner school of the Academy of English in the United Kingdom
HE Higher Education
IATEFL International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language
iBT Internet-based Test (four skills test for the TOEFL test, taken on the internet)
ISAT International Students Admission Test
ISE Integrated Skills in English
IT Information Technology
ICT Information Communication Technology
IELTS International English Language Testing System
ITP Institutional Testing Program (paper-based, academic TOEFL test for internal use)
JALT Japan Association for Language Teaching
JET Japanese Exchange and Teaching Programme
Joint CertTESOL Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
L1 First language
L2 Second language
LCM Learning Centre Manager
LTCL DipTESOL Trinity College London teaching certificate for those with at least 2 years’ experience
LTS Language Testing Service
KEY Key English Test (test from Cambridge at A2 level)
MELAB Michigan English Language Assessment Battery
MET Michigan English Test
MFL Modern Foreign Languages
MTELP Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency
NATESOL National Association of Teachers of English for Speakers of Other Languages
NQF National Qualifications Framework (UK-wide system of qualifications)
OET Occupational English Test
OFSTED Office for Standards in Education
PBT Paper-Based Test (four skills test for the TOEFL written on paper)
PET Preliminary English Test (test from Cambridge at B1 level)
PGCE Post Graduate Certificate in Education (UK teaching qualification necessary for state sector)
PTE Pearson Test of English (academic test)
QCA Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
SEW Spoken English for Work
SLA Second language acquisition
STT Student talking time
TEFL Teaching (of) English as a Foreign Language
TESL teaching (of) English as a Second Language
TESOL Teaching (of) English to speakers of Other languages

Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.

TKT Teaching Knowledge Test (test for English teachers)
TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEIC Test of English for International Communication
TOLES Test of Legal English Skills
TRACK TrackTest Online English Assessment Center
TTT Train The Teacher
UCAS Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
VHS Volkshochschule
YLTE Young Learners Tests of English