Meaning & use
TESOL
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Meanings
noununcountable
The teaching of English to people whose first language is not English, especially as a field of study or work.
Grammar: Uncountable, so no plural: talk about 'a career in TESOL', not 'a TESOL'.
Patterns
- a career in TESOL
- a TESOL teacher
- study TESOL
She moved to Vietnam to work in TESOL after finishing her degree.
The university offers a master's program in TESOL for experienced teachers.
TESOL is a growing field because so many people want to learn English.
nouncountableinformal
A certificate or qualification that trains someone to teach English to speakers of other languages.
Grammar: Countable when it means a qualification: 'a TESOL', 'two TESOLs'.
Patterns
- get a TESOL
- have a TESOL
- a TESOL certificate
He got a TESOL in Bangkok and then found a job at a language school.
Many employers ask for a TESOL or a similar teaching certificate.
Common combinations
- TESOL teacher
- A TESOL teacher usually works with small groups of adults.
- TESOL course
- The TESOL course includes practice teaching with real students.
- a career in TESOL
- A career in TESOL can take you to many different countries.
- TESOL certificate
- She hung her TESOL certificate on the wall of her classroom.
Synonyms and how they differ
- TEFL
- TEFL means teaching English as a foreign language, often in countries where English is not an official language; TESOL is the broader term used especially in North America and Australia.
- ELT
- ELT stands for English Language Teaching and is common in British publishing and schools; TESOL is more common in academic and professional contexts.
Commonly confused: TESOL or TOEFL? TESOL or TESL?
TESOL vs TOEFL
TOEFL is a test that measures English ability, while TESOL is the teaching of English. Do not mix the two acronyms.
TESOL vs TESL
TESL means teaching English as a second language, usually in a country where English is widely spoken; TESOL covers both TESL and TEFL.
Practice
Which sentence uses TESOL correctly?
Choose one answer.
When TESOL means a qualification, it is a countable noun used with 'a': 'a TESOL'. The plural 'TESOLs' is not used for one course, and 'the TESOL of English' wrongly treats it as a normal noun meaning 'teaching'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “TESOL”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.