Unit 2 - Activity 1: Appreciating ESL & EFL differences

Unit 2 - Activity 1: Appreciating ESL & EFL differences

Reading Bell, K. (2011). How ESL and EFL Classrooms Differ clarified the important differences between ESL and EFL. I hadn't realized it really comes down to where you are in the world. English speaking countries generally use the term ESL but if the main language where you are teaching is not English - then EFL is generally the term used.

I only have a small amount of experience with ESL and none with EFL. I do have an interest in both however, and understanding the different teaching approaches used with each is important.

The different approaches presented by Bell for ESL vs. EFL were clear in that learning should focus on practical needs and interests of your students. Some of this might be anticipated and some may have to be asked directly but the goal should always be on needs and interests. For example, helping students better understand the cultural nuances they will experience helps support positive transitions into new social groups and minimize misunderstandings that may offend or are offensive. Finally, the stress of being away from family, friends, familiar settings would be stressful on many so having some sense of their overall well-being would be an important need too.

I recognized Bell's recommendations for ESL as I briefly witnessed ESL conversation students over this last year raise questions about Canadian cultural issues and expressions they found confusing and sometimes offensive.

Sometimes their questions were related to understanding something about bus fare, other times about an upsetting idiomatic expression like "easy come - easy go" where the offended student would explain nothing about their frustrating loss was easy!

Again, while I do not have any experience with EFL, I understand Bell's EFL recommendations. It is clear EFL students would requires more intensive focus on oral practice. Also, doing class activities that bring the language more alive through cultural training and showing students the new opportunities that can become available with a language - are all important.

Small variations of letters in these two acronyms are "big" issues for teachers discussing / applying principles of English language instruction.