English as a Second or Foreign Language

English as a Second or Foreign Language is the teaching and learning of English by people who do not speak it as a first language, in settings where it is used locally or mainly studied.

Second-language acquisition: The process by which people learn a language after acquiring their first language. It provides the broader account of how learners develop English beyond formal instruction.
Communicative language teaching: A language-teaching approach that develops communicative ability through meaningful interaction and language use. It makes purposeful communication, rather than isolated rule learning, the organizing aim of lessons.
English for Academic Purposes: English instruction focused on the language and study practices needed for higher education. It prepares learners to read academic texts, write assignments, and participate in English-medium study.
English as a Foreign Language: English learned mainly as a school subject in a setting where it is not the dominant community language. It names the foreign-language setting within the broader second-or-foreign-language distinction.
Input hypothesis: Stephen Krashen's proposal that language acquisition advances through exposure to comprehensible messages slightly beyond current ability. It foregrounds the question of how much understandable English exposure learners need.
English as a lingua franca: The use of English as a shared means of communication among people with different first languages. It explains why many learners need English chiefly for communication with other non-native speakers.
Task-based language teaching: An approach that organizes language instruction around tasks requiring learners to convey meaning. Real-world tasks let learners use English to achieve outcomes while developing fluency.
English for Specific Purposes: Language instruction tailored to communication needs in a particular academic or professional field. It adapts English learning to specialized contexts such as medicine, aviation, or business.
English as a Second Language: English learned in a setting where it is widely used in public life or as a community language. It names the locally used setting contrasted with learning English mainly as a foreign language.
Output hypothesis: Merrill Swain's proposal that producing language can help learners notice gaps and develop linguistic knowledge. It emphasizes productive practice where an input-centered account may give less weight to speaking and writing.

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