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ESL Teaching Glossary

A comprehensive reference of essential terms, methods, and concepts used in ESL teaching. Whether you're a new teacher or an experienced educator, this glossary helps you understand the terminology used in English language teaching.

Found 116 terms

A

Action Research
Professional Development
Systematic inquiry by teachers into their own practice
Affective Filter
Language Acquisition
Emotional factors that can block or facilitate language learning

Examples:

  • Anxiety
  • Motivation
  • Self-confidence
Analytic Scoring
Assessment
Evaluating specific components of performance separately
Aspect
Grammar
Grammar feature showing how action relates to time flow

Examples:

  • Progressive aspect
  • Perfect aspect
Asynchronous Learning
Technology
Self-paced online learning without real-time interaction

Examples:

  • Recorded videos
  • Discussion forums
Audio-Lingual Method
Teaching Methods
Method based on behaviorist theory using drills and repetition

Examples:

  • Pattern drills
  • Substitution exercises
Authentic Materials
Teaching Materials
Real-world materials not specifically created for language teaching

Examples:

  • Newspapers
  • Movie clips
  • Restaurant menus
  • Social media posts
Auxiliary Verb
Grammar
A helping verb used with main verbs to form tenses, questions, and negatives

Examples:

  • do
  • have
  • be
  • will
  • can

B

Backward Design
Planning
Planning by starting with desired outcomes
Blended Learning
Technology
Combining traditional classroom teaching with online learning
Bloom's Taxonomy
Education Theory
Classification of learning objectives by cognitive level

Examples:

  • Remember
  • Understand
  • Apply
  • Analyze
  • Evaluate
  • Create

C

CALL
Technology
Computer-Assisted Language Learning - Using computers to aid language learning
CCQs
Teaching Techniques
Concept Checking Questions - Questions used to verify student understanding

Examples:

  • Is this about the past or future?
  • Can we use this for one person?
CELTA
Qualifications
Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults
CLT
Teaching Methods
Communicative Language Teaching - An approach that emphasizes interaction as both the means and goal of learning

Examples:

  • Role-plays
  • Information gap activities
  • Problem-solving tasks
Code-Switching
Sociolinguistics
Alternating between languages or language varieties
Cognates
Vocabulary
Words similar in two languages with same origin

Examples:

  • Hospital (English/Spanish)
  • Computer (English/German)
Coherence
Writing
Logical connections and overall sense in a text
Cohesion
Writing
Grammatical and lexical links within a text

Examples:

  • Pronouns
  • Conjunctions
  • Lexical chains
Collocation
Vocabulary
Words that frequently occur together

Examples:

  • make a decision
  • heavy rain
  • strong coffee
Colloquial Language
Language Use
Informal language used in everyday conversation

Examples:

  • Gonna
  • Wanna
  • Yeah
Comprehensible Input
Language Acquisition
Language input that learners can understand despite not knowing all words

Examples:

  • i+1 formula
  • Graded readers
Connected Speech
Pronunciation
How sounds change when words are spoken together naturally

Examples:

  • Linking
  • Elision
  • Assimilation
CPD
Professional Development
Continuing Professional Development - Ongoing teacher training

Examples:

  • Workshops
  • Conferences
  • Online courses
Criterion-Referenced Testing
Assessment
Measuring performance against specific criteria or standards
Critical Period Hypothesis
Language Acquisition
Theory that language learning ability decreases after a certain age
Culture Shock
Cultural Awareness
Disorientation when experiencing unfamiliar culture

D

DELTA
Qualifications
Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults
Diagnostic Assessment
Assessment
Testing to identify learners' strengths and weaknesses before instruction

Examples:

  • Placement tests
  • Needs analysis
Dictogloss
Teaching Techniques
Students reconstruct a text from notes taken during dictation
Differentiation
Teaching Techniques
Adapting instruction to meet individual student needs

Examples:

  • Providing different task levels
  • Offering choice in activities
Digital Literacy
Technology
Ability to use digital technology effectively for learning
Direct Method
Teaching Methods
Teaching method using only the target language without translation
Discourse Markers
Grammar
Words/phrases that organize spoken or written language

Examples:

  • However
  • On the other hand
  • Well
  • So
Dyslexia
Special Needs
Learning difficulty affecting reading and spelling

E

Elicitation
Teaching Techniques
Drawing out language or information from students rather than giving it

Examples:

  • Using pictures to elicit vocabulary
  • Asking questions to elicit grammar rules
ESA
Teaching Methods
Engage, Study, Activate - A flexible teaching framework that can be adapted to different lesson types

F

False Friends
Vocabulary
Words that look similar in two languages but have different meanings

Examples:

  • embarrassed (English) vs embarazada (Spanish - pregnant)
Flipped Classroom
Technology
Students learn content at home and practice in class

Examples:

  • Watch grammar videos at home, practice speaking in class
Formative Assessment
Assessment
Ongoing evaluation during the learning process to monitor progress

Examples:

  • Exit tickets
  • Quick quizzes
  • Observation notes
Fossilization
Error Analysis
When errors become permanent in a learner's language use

G

Gallery Walk
Teaching Techniques
Students move around classroom viewing and discussing posted work
Gamification
Technology
Using game elements in non-game contexts for learning

Examples:

  • Points
  • Badges
  • Leaderboards
Grammar-Translation Method
Teaching Methods
Traditional method focusing on grammar rules and translation

H

Holistic Scoring
Assessment
Evaluating overall performance rather than individual components
Hot Seat
Teaching Techniques
One student answers questions in character or as expert

Examples:

  • Role-playing historical figure
  • Grammar expert

I

ICQs
Teaching Techniques
Instruction Checking Questions - Questions to ensure students understand task instructions

Examples:

  • How many minutes do you have?
  • Are you working alone or in pairs?
Idiom
Vocabulary
Expression whose meaning differs from literal word meanings

Examples:

  • It's raining cats and dogs
  • Break a leg
Information Gap
Teaching Techniques
Activity where students must communicate to share missing information

Examples:

  • Describe and draw
  • Find the differences
Input Hypothesis
Language Acquisition
Theory that language is acquired through understanding messages
Interaction Hypothesis
Language Acquisition
Theory emphasizing the importance of interaction in language learning
Intercultural Competence
Cultural Awareness
Ability to communicate effectively across cultures
Interlanguage
Language Acquisition
The developing language system of a second language learner
Intonation
Pronunciation
The rise and fall of voice pitch in speech

Examples:

  • Rising intonation for yes/no questions
  • Falling for statements

J

Jigsaw Activity
Teaching Techniques
Cooperative learning where students become experts on one part and teach others

Examples:

  • Reading different paragraphs
  • Sharing information

L

L1
Language Acquisition
First Language - The native language or mother tongue of a learner

Examples:

  • Spanish is Maria's L1
L2
Language Acquisition
Second Language - Any language learned after the first language

Examples:

  • English is her L2
LAD
Language Acquisition
Language Acquisition Device - Theoretical mental faculty for learning language
Learning Outcomes
Planning
Specific statements of what learners will achieve

Examples:

  • Students will be able to...
  • By the end of the lesson...
Learning Styles
Learning Theory
Different ways individuals prefer to learn

Examples:

  • Visual
  • Auditory
  • Kinesthetic
Lingua Franca
Sociolinguistics
Common language used between speakers of different languages

Examples:

  • English as international language
LMS
Technology
Learning Management System - Platform for delivering online courses

Examples:

  • Moodle
  • Canvas
  • Blackboard

M

MALL
Technology
Mobile-Assisted Language Learning - Using mobile devices for language learning
Minimal Pairs
Pronunciation
Words that differ by only one phoneme

Examples:

  • ship/sheep
  • bit/beat
  • cat/cut
Mixed-Ability Class
Classroom Management
Class with students at different proficiency levels
Modal Verb
Grammar
Auxiliary verbs that express possibility, permission, ability, or obligation

Examples:

  • can
  • could
  • may
  • might
  • must
  • should
Monitor Hypothesis
Language Acquisition
Krashen's theory about conscious grammar monitoring in language production
Multiple Intelligences
Learning Theory
Gardner's theory of different types of intelligence

Examples:

  • Linguistic
  • Musical
  • Spatial
  • Kinesthetic

N

Natural Approach
Teaching Methods
Method emphasizing natural language acquisition over formal study
Needs Analysis
Planning
Identifying what learners need to learn and why
Norm-Referenced Testing
Assessment
Comparing student performance to other students

O

Output Hypothesis
Language Acquisition
Theory that producing language is crucial for language development

P

Peer Assessment
Assessment
Students evaluating each other's work
Peer Correction
Error Correction
Students correcting each other's errors
Peer Observation
Professional Development
Teachers observing each other's classes for development
Phoneme
Pronunciation
The smallest unit of sound in a language

Examples:

  • /p/ in 'pat'
  • /b/ in 'bat'
Phrasal Verb
Grammar
Verb combined with particle(s) creating new meaning

Examples:

  • Look up
  • Give up
  • Put off
Portfolio Assessment
Assessment
Collection of student work showing progress over time

Examples:

  • Writing portfolios
  • Speaking recordings
PPP
Teaching Methods
Presentation, Practice, Production - A traditional teaching framework for introducing new language

Examples:

  • Present new grammar, Practice with exercises, Produce in free speaking
Pragmatics
Linguistics
Study of language use in context and implied meanings

Examples:

  • Can you pass the salt? (request not question)
Productive Skills
Language Skills
Language skills involving producing language: speaking and writing
Project-Based Learning
Teaching Methods
PBL - Extended learning through complex, real-world projects

Examples:

  • Creating a class magazine
  • Organizing a cultural fair
Pyramid Discussion
Teaching Techniques
Discussion starting in pairs, then fours, then whole class

R

Realia
Teaching Materials
Real objects used in classroom teaching to make learning more meaningful

Examples:

  • Using real menus for restaurant vocabulary
  • Bringing fruits for food lessons
Receptive Skills
Language Skills
Language skills involving receiving information: listening and reading
Reflective Practice
Professional Development
Analyzing own teaching to improve professionally

Examples:

  • Teaching journals
  • Peer observation
Register
Language Use
Level of formality in language use

Examples:

  • Formal
  • Informal
  • Academic
  • Colloquial
Rubric
Assessment
A scoring guide that lists specific criteria for performance

Examples:

  • Speaking rubric
  • Writing assessment criteria
Running Dictation
Teaching Techniques
Active dictation where students run to read text and dictate to partner

S

Scaffolding
Teaching Techniques
Temporary support structures to help students achieve learning goals

Examples:

  • Providing sentence starters
  • Using visual aids
  • Breaking tasks into steps
Schwa
Pronunciation
The most common vowel sound in English /ə/

Examples:

  • a in about
  • e in taken
Scope and Sequence
Curriculum
What will be taught and in what order
Screencast
Technology
Digital recording of computer screen with audio narration
Self-Assessment
Assessment
Students evaluating their own learning and progress

Examples:

  • Can-do statements
  • Learning journals
Self-Correction
Error Correction
When students identify and correct their own mistakes
Silent Way
Teaching Methods
Method where teacher speaks minimally, students discover language
STT
Classroom Management
Student Talking Time - The amount of time students speak during class
Suggestopedia
Teaching Methods
Method using music and relaxation to enhance learning
Summative Assessment
Assessment
Evaluation at the end of an instructional unit to measure achievement

Examples:

  • Final exams
  • End-of-unit tests
  • Projects
Suprasegmentals
Pronunciation
Features of speech beyond individual sounds

Examples:

  • Stress
  • Rhythm
  • Intonation
Syllabus
Curriculum
Outline of course content and sequence

Examples:

  • Structural syllabus
  • Functional syllabus
  • Task-based syllabus
Synchronous Learning
Technology
Real-time online learning with teacher and students together

Examples:

  • Live video classes
  • Real-time chat

T

Task-Based Learning
Teaching Methods
TBL - An approach where students learn language by completing meaningful tasks

Examples:

  • Planning a trip
  • Solving a problem
  • Creating a presentation
TEFL
Field
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESOL
Field
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Think-Pair-Share
Teaching Techniques
Students think individually, discuss with partner, then share with class
TPR
Teaching Methods
Total Physical Response - A language teaching method where students respond to commands with physical movements

Examples:

  • Stand up
  • Touch your nose
  • Walk to the door
TTT
Teaching Methods
Test, Teach, Test - A teaching approach where students are tested first to identify gaps
TTT
Classroom Management
Teacher Talking Time - The amount of time the teacher speaks during class

U

Universal Grammar
Language Acquisition
Chomsky's theory of innate language learning capacity

V

Voiced/Voiceless
Pronunciation
Whether vocal cords vibrate when producing a sound

Examples:

  • Voiced: /b/, /d/, /g/
  • Voiceless: /p/, /t/, /k/

W

Washback
Assessment
The influence of testing on teaching and learning

Examples:

  • Teaching to the test
  • Positive/negative washback
Weak Forms
Pronunciation
Unstressed pronunciation of function words

Examples:

  • to /tə/
  • for /fə/
  • can /kən/
Webquest
Technology
Inquiry-based activity using internet resources
Word Stress
Pronunciation
Emphasis placed on certain syllables in words

Examples:

  • PHOtograph
  • phoTOgraphy
  • photoGRAPHic
World Englishes
Sociolinguistics
Varieties of English used around the world

Examples:

  • Indian English
  • Nigerian English
  • Singaporean English