Study Overseas

When you are planning to come to North America as an international student, you enter a world of abbreviations - EFL? ESL? ESOL? TOEFL? And you probably wonder what all of these strange sets of letters mean? Of course "E" is for English, but beyond this, you may find yourself lost in confusion.

The following glossary will help give you begin to understand these important abbreviations and give you a head start in using your browser or search engine to locate the most appropriate study option for you.

First, English itself

EFL - English as a Foreign Language is the form of English instruction you probably have received in your home country, in which English is taught as a "school subject", for only a few hours per week.

ESL - English as a Second Language is the form of instruction in countries in which English plays an important role in a multilingual setting, such as in India or Singapore; or as instruction received by "foreigners" in an English-speaking country.

ESOL - English to Speakers of Other Languages has, for many reasons, become the preferred "umbrella" term for students, teachers and programs serving non-native speakers of English, especially in North America.

EAP - English for Academic Purposes focuses on the particular skills learners need in schools, colleges, and universities. Many of our best programs may describe themselves as EAP programs.

Where you'll want to study English

One program description you may want to be aware of, to use in your school search, is:

IEP's - Intensive English Programs usually define their "intensity" in terms of both quality of instruction and strength in number of hours of instruction. This last issue, class hours, sometimes surprises new international students. Intensive English Programs are defined by US law as those offering students at least 18 hours of instruction per week, not including language laboratory hours. In an IEP, learning English is a full-time "job", and it is understandable that you will want to make it your highest priority. If the program is "intensive" it will make you stronger.

Standardized tests

To conclude your lesson, every student's most fun item: Tests. The good news is that most IEP's - intensive English programs - do not require that you submit test scores at the time you apply to them. The bad news - although in the long run it is good news for you and your chosen college or university - is that academic programs and admissions departments generally do require test scores. Many IEP's, in order to assist you with your university applications, maintain institutional testing programs. You should expect for your language proficiency to be tested, and in many cases, retested. This is a very normal part of the experience of international applicants, and almost all students in North America.

Some of the tests you may need to become familiar with include the following:

TOEFL - The Test of English as a Foreign Language, published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), of Princeton, New Jersey, is the recognized standard in North America for demonstration of English language proficiency. Currently, there are two forms of the TOEFL available: (1) the traditional paper-based TOEFL (PBT) and (2) the internet-based TOEFL (iBT). Admissions requirements are set individually by colleges and universities, so you will need to inquire from them directly as to their individual PBT or iBT requirements.

IELTS - The International English Language Testing System is a test of English proficiency, and very popular in Britain and Australia. IELTS test takers receive a "band" rating of from 0 to 9, from "non user" of English to "expert user".

SAT - The Scholastic Aptitude Test, published by the College Board, is a test of critical thinking skills you will need for success in college. SAT scores are sometimes used by admissions officers when considering you for a scholarship.

ACT - The American College Test, a test administered by the American College Testing Program, is similar to the SAT and is also used by international students to support a scholarship application.

Those who, like you, are interested in studying in America should not be worried about these sometimes confusing abbreviations. Luckily, you will find committed professionals here in North America who are ready and waiting to help you understand these unfamiliar terms and to advise you in your educational planning. Don't be afraid to ask us questions. As teaching professionals, we are here to help you learn your "A - B - C's"!