What is the Difference Between EFL and ESL

The main difference between ESL and EFL is that ESL refers to learning and teaching English as a second language, whereas EFL refers to teaching and learning English as a foreign language.

The English language is one of the most widely and frequently spoken international languages in the world. According to statistical reports, about 1.6 billion people around the world are fluent in English. Due to multiple reasons such as immigration needs, cultural diversity, international scholarships, and business purposes, many students show an interest in mastering English as a foreign language or English as a second language.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is EFL  
     – Definition, Features
2. What is ESL
     – Definition, Features
3. Similarities – EFL and ESL
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between EFL and ESL
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

EFL, ESL, English as a Foreign Language, English as a Second Language

What is EFL

The term EFL refers to learning English as a Foreign Language, inside a country where English is not dominant. For instance, in Japan, English is not considered an official language or a dominant language. Therefore, Japanese students in Japan who learn English are referred to as EFL students. However, if the same group of Japanese students was in the United States of America and if they were taking English courses there, they would not be called EFL students. Instead, we call them ESL students.

Simply put, EFL means acquiring and exploring English as an additional language inside a non-English speaking country such as China or Russia. EFL study materials are usually designed for learners who are studying English in their native country or for the students who are following a short course inside an English-speaking country. ESL materials mainly offer ‘survival English,’ which helps the migrants to blend in an English-speaking country.

What is ESL

The term ESL refers to learning English as a Second Language, residing in a country where the English language is an official language or where English is widely spoken. When you are learning English in a country like Australia, the UK, or the US, you are learning ESL. For instance, students from non-English-speaking countries who migrate to the US or the UK for a long period of time have to learn English as a Second Language. This is also true in the case of children of immigrants. ESL courses are specially designed to offer the learners communication skills in the dominant language used inside the community where they live in.

Similarities Between EFL and ESL

• Both EFL and ESL are designed for students whose native language is not English
• Therefore, both EFL and ESL courses aim to develop the English speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills of learners.
• Easing communication barriers is one of the main advantages the EFL and ESL learners achieve.
• It is a common belief that learning and acquiring more than one language allows people to develop higher executive functions of the brain. Therefore, both ESL and EFL courses contribute towards strengthening the functioning of the brain.

Difference Between EFL and ESL

Definition

ESL refers to learning and teaching English as a second language, whereas EFL refers to teaching and learning English as a foreign language.

Country

Moreover, EFL involves studying English in a country where English isn’t the dominant language (for example, countries like China, Russia, Japan), whereas ESL involves learning English in a country where it is widely used, such as Australia, the UK, and the US.

Learning Environment

ESL students are frequently exposed to real-life experiences, which allow them to apply the linguistic knowledge they have acquired inside the classroom into real-life scenarios while they are interacting with colleagues and socializing with locals. On the other hand, EFL learners learn English language mainly as a mode of survival. 

Conclusion

The main difference between EFL and ESL is that ESL refers to learning and teaching English as a second language, whereas EFL is teaching and learning English as a foreign language. Whether you are an EFL learner or an ESL learner, it does not matter. English is an official language in so many countries, and it is one of the most common international languages. Learning English would benefit any learner in communication and blend in with the English-speaking communities.

Reference:

1. Swain, Francine. “What Is ESL: Everything You Need to Know.” FLS Online, 12 June 2020.
2. Dincer, Ali. “EFL Learners’ Beliefs about Speaking English and Being a Good Speaker: A Metaphor Analysis.” HR Pub.org.

Image Courtesy:

1. “English in the countries of the world” By Mahdi.mrabet – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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