Mini Glossary of English Learning Terms

When reading resources on English learning, you might encounter some  terms and abbreviations that are completely new to you. It happened to me some time ago and still  do now.  They are so basic that we feel ashamed to ask people what they actually mean. What makes things worse is we are way too lazy to research on our own. 

There are various terms and abbreviations we had better to get acquainted with or else we will get lost while people are talking about them, or while your lecturer is lecturing about one of those terms and abbreviations.

These are some terms and abbreviations that I gathered after a little research on the web since I assumed knowing what they mean is essential for us. 

First Language
One's native language; the language learned by children and passed from one generation to the next (source).


Second Language
 A second language (L2) is any language learned after the first language or mother tongue (L1). Some languages, often called auxiliary languages, are used primarily as second languages or lingua francas.

A person's first language may not be their dominant language, the one they use most or are most comfortable with. For example, the Canadian census defines first language for its purposes as "the first language learned in childhood and still spoken", recognizing that for some, the earliest language may be lost, a process known as language attrition. This can happen when young children move, with or without their family (because of immigration or international adoption), to a new language environment.

Foreign Language
A foreign language is a language not spoken by the people of a certain place. It is also a language not spoken in the native country of the person referred to, i.e. an English speaker living in Japan can say that Japanese is a foreign language to him or her. These two characterizations do not exhaust the possible definitions, however, and the label is occasionally applied in ways that are variously misleading or factually inaccurate.


TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) 
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL, pronounced "toe-full") evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting. It sometimes is an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities.

Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported since a candidate's language proficiency could have significantly changed since the date of the test. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.

PBT (Paper-Based Test)

When a test is administered using a set of questions printed on paper, it is called PBT.

IBT (Internet-Based Test)

When a test is administered using a set of questions viewed on internet-enabled personal computer, it is called IBT.

CBT (Computer-Based Training)
Use of computers in imparting training, monitoring trainee progress, providing feedback, and assessing final results. Also called computer aided instruction (CAI). See also web based instruction (WBI).

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
It provides a full assessment of a person's ability to communicate in English across all four language skills.

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) refers to teaching English to students whose first language is not English. TEFL usually occurs in the student's own country, either within the state school system, or privately, e.g., in an after-hours language school or with a tutor. TEFL teachers may be native or non-native speakers of English.


TESL (Teaching English as a second language)
Also called "Teaching English for Speakers of other Languages," to note the fact that some people may be acquiring English as a third language, fourth language, etc.), it refers to teaching English to students whose first language is not English and usually in a region where English is the dominant language and natural English language immersion situations are apt to be plentiful.

TESOL (Teaching/ Teachers English to Speakers of Other Languages)
 TESOL is most often used to describe the profession of teaching English to students of other languages. TESOL Inc, however, is also the name of an organization.TESOL is used similarly to TEFL and TESL. Many people consider the three acronyms to be almost interchangeable (source).
 

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

IELTS (pronounced /ˈaɪ.ɛlts/) is an international standardised test of English language proficiency. It is jointly managed by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations, the British Council and IDP Education Pty Ltd, and was established in 1989.

There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General Training Version:

• The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country.
• The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

That wraps up my mini glossary and I'm looking forward to your adding if there is any other terms or abbreviations which are not included on the list above.