Acronyms E-L

EAL

English as an Additional Language

EAP

English for Academic Purposes

EAT

European Association of Teachers (Web site)

ECIS

European Council of International Schools (Web site)

EFL

English as a Foreign Language (mostly UK)

ELD

English Language Development

ELICOS

English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (Australia; Web site)

ELT

English Language Training or English Language Teaching

EPP

English for Professional Purposes

ESID

Every Situation is Different (often used in the JET Program to describe the varying circumstances of its many participants)

ESL

English as a Second Language (mostly US)

ESOL

English for Speakers of Other Languages

ESP

English for Specific Purposes

EST

English for Science and Technology

ESUJ

English-Speaking Union of Japan (Web site)

ETJ

English Teachers in Japan (Web site)

GTM

Grammar Translation Method (label to describe the 'traditional' teaching methods used before communicative aproaches were developed toward the end of the 20th century; still very popular in Japan)

IALLT

International Association for Language Learning Technology (Web site)

IATEFL

International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (Web site)

IIEEC

Institute for International English Education of Children (Web site)

IELTS

International English Language Testing System (Web site)

IPA

International Phonetic Alphabet or International Phonetic Association (Web site)

JACET

Japan Association of College English Teachers (Web site)

JALA

Japan Anthropological Linguistic Association (Web site)

JALT

Japan Association for Language Teaching (Web site)

JASELE

Japan Society of English Language Education (Web site)

JET

Japanese Exchange and Teaching Program(me) (Government web site)

JETAA

JET Alumni Association (Web site)

JTE

Japanese Teacher of English

K-12

Kindergarten to 12th grade (based on the US school system)

KOTESOL

Korea Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (Web site)

L1

First Language (the student's native language)

L2

Second Language (the language the student is learning; also referred to as Target Language)

LAD

Language Acquisition Device (universal, genetic ability to acquire language; idea developed by Noam Chomsky)

LATEM

Little America Teaching English Methods (Web site)

LCCIEB

London Chamber of Commerce and Industry Examinations Board (Web site)

LEP

Limited English Proficiency (usually used for children in a country other than their native-language environment)

LES

Limited English Speaker

LIOJ

Language Institute of Japan (Web site)

LLA

Language Laboratory Association of Japan (Web site)