English Language Teachers: Do You Know These ELT Industry - Related Acronyms?

English Language Teaching Professionals Need to Understand

ELT, EAP, EGP, L1, MT, NNL, TESOL, TBE, LEP, and SLAM- Do you know what these commonly-used English language teaching and learning acronyms happen to stand for? In order to be able to read and comprehend many articles, publications and presentations relating to the teaching of English as a foreign or second language, you need to be aware of these and other frequently-used industry acronyms.


Photo: A cruise ship passing through the Panamal Canal using seaspeak for all ship-to-shore communications

ELT – English Language Teacher/ing
EAP – English for Academic Purposes (such as in a trade school or university)
EFL – English as a Foreign Language (in locations where English has no official status)
EGP - English for General Purposes (also known as conversational English in some areas)
EIL – English as an International Language (Includes PoliceSpeak, Seaspeak, techno-speak and Airspeak)
EOP – English for Occupational / Other Purposes (English for work or non-academic use)
ESP – English for Special / Specific Purposes (specialized English and vocabulary)
EST – English as a Second Tongue (in locations where English has official status and use)
LEP – Limited English Proficiency (low-level English speakers who may have extensive English class study time with little improvement)
SLAM – Second Language Acquisition Methodology (refers to the teaching and learning of foreign languages other than English, i.e. non-TESOL applications)

And How About THESE ELT Acronyms?

L1 – first language (or Mother Tongue)
L2 – Second language
L3 – third language
MT – Mother Tongue (or First language)
NNL – Non-Native language
TEFL – Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
TEIL – Teaching of English as an International Language
TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language
TESOL – Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
TBE – Teaching of Business English (to companies and executives or employees)

There Are Some Others

On occasion additional ELT industry-related acronyms are used. These presented here are some of the most frequently-encountered ones. Familiarity with these will aid your comprehension of a variety of English-teaching and foreign language teaching related texts.
Next time you need to decipher a trade or technical journal article on an English language teaching and learning topic, knowing these acronyms can help to save you from a headache due to incomprehensible input.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business? How about an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

They Speak Spanish as a First or Official Language WHERE?

English Language Teaching:
They Speak Spanish as a First or Official Language WHERE?

Spanish as a First or Official Language
Often, when I teach or speak before of group of English language teachers in Latin America, I like to ask the question, “How many countries are there which have Spanish as a FIRST or OFFICIAL language?” “You ARE all native Spanish speakers, aren’t you? I say, teasing them a bit. A few minutes then pass as I wait for the group to “sweat it out”.

By the way, how many of these countries can YOU name?


Then, mercifully, I offer a response after taking an assortment of guesses ranging from half a dozen or so to fifteen or fifty. The following countries each have Spanish either as an official or first language.

In North America
The North American continent, home to only three countries, has two of them with Spanish as a first or official language.

• United States (oh yes, it is!)
• Mexico

In Europe
In Europe, one of the world’s great melting pots, several countries claim English as a first or official language.

• Spain
• Portugal (by the way, Portuguese is in the same language family as Spanish)

In the West Indies
In the West Indies or Caribbean, formerly a virtual hotbed of colonization, several island nations have a form of spoken English.

• Cuba
• Puerto Rico
• Dominican Republic

In Central America
If you though only Spanish is spoken “south of the border”, you’d be wrong. There are three countries which use English as a first or official language. There are fifteen countries with Spanish as a first or official language. They are:

• Guatemala
• Honduras
• El Salvador
• Nicaragua
• Costa Rica
• Panama

In South America
Passing from Central America into South America as you head south from Panama, these countries have Spanish as a first or official language.

• Colombia
• Venezuela
• Ecuador
• Peru
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Paraguay

In Africa
I know what you’re thinking. Africa? There are no Spanish-speaking countries in Africa! Oh yes there are – there’s one! Surprised? So was I. Most people are. The officially Spanish-speaking country in Africa is (drum roll, please):



• Equatorial New Guinea


Why Learn Spanish?
Spanish has been a widespread and useful “Lingua Franca” for centuries. It still is. So when your Spanish as a foreign language learners ask, “Why learn Spanish?” you’ll have some new ammunition with which to respond to them as a foreign language teaching professional.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" or "7 Techniques to Motivate Your English Language Learners and Make Your Classes More Dynamic" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

English Language Teaching: They Speak English as a First or Official Language WHERE?

English as a First or Official Language
Often, when I teach or speak before of group of English language teachers, I like to ask the question, “How many countries are there which have English as a FIRST or OFFICIAL language?” A few minutes then pass as I wait for the group to “sweat it out”.

By the way, how many of these countries can YOU name?


Then, mercifully, I offer a response after taking an assortment of guesses ranging from half a dozen or so to fifteen or fifty. The following countries each have English either as an official or first language.

In North America
The North American continent, home to only three countries, has two of them with English as a first or official language.

• United States
• Canada (for the record, French is also an official language in Canada)

In Europe
In Europe, one of the world’s great melting pots, several countries claim English as a first or official language.

• Ireland
• Scotland
• England

In the West Indies
In the West Indies or Caribbean, formerly a virtual hotbed of colonization, several island nations different dialects, patois and varieties of spoken English.

• St. Lucia
• Cayman Islands
• St. Vincent
• Grenadines
• Bahamas
• Bermuda
• Grenada,
• St. Nevis / St. Kitts
• Jamaica
• Trinidad & Tobago
• Barbados
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• British Virgin Islands

In Central & South America
If you though only Spanish is spoken “south of the border”, you’d be wrong. These countries use English as a first or official language.

• Guyana
• Belize
• Curacao

In Asia
Another great polyglot melting pot of the world with hundreds upon hundreds of languages dotting the nations that comprise the majority of the earth’s population, English is claimed as an official or first language in these locations:

• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• India
• Philippines
• Malaysia

In Africa
With more than a thousand languages covering the African continent, it seems nearly impossible to have any language emerge as a dominant one. English has however, broken through as a “Lingua Franca” in several populous nations across the continent. Here are some to date:

• Sierra Leone
• Liberia
• Ghana
• Zimbabwe
• South Africa
• Seychelles
• Nigeria
• Kenya

In the South Pacific
Itself a continent, Australia heads up a short though impressive list of English-speaking countries in the South Pacific. G’day, mate!

• Australia
• Falkland Islands
• New Zealand
• Samoa

Why Learn English?
So when your English as a foreign language learners ask, “Why should I learn English?” you’ll have some new ammunition with which to respond to them as an English language teaching professional.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-books,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" or "7 Techniques to Motivate Your English Language Learners and Make Your Classes More Dynamic" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

English and Foreign Language Teachers: Safeguard Your Voice Part 2

English and Foreign Language Teachers and Speaking Professionals: Safeguard Your Voice Part 2

When it’s absolutely essential that English and foreign language teachers, actors, politicians, singers, public speakers, sales personnel and other professionals whose voice is their fortune to constantly safeguard their speaking abilities, these additional deadly enemies of your voice need to be considered. In the first part of this article we mentioned the effects of extreme temperatures, tobacco and harsh foods. We continue now with other major voice-affecting conditions you should be aware of.

Medical Conditions

A wide variety of medical conditions can also be factors in proper care of your speaking voice and should not be ignored when you have frequent or extensive speaking including in your normal regimen. Medical conditions to consider include:

The need for constant yelling or screaming – these put an extensive strain on the voice and can cause physical damage as well. English as a foreign language teacher Oscar Jimenez says, in this regard, “When I have to raise my voice to talk over a noisy class, I get problems with my voice from having to strain to talk loudly.”

Colds, flu or throat and respiratory infections – symptoms of these can range from virtually nil through mild to severe and should be medically attended to well before a speaking engagement is considered.

Respiratory problems – anything from a minor infection, flare-up or asthma can negatively impact your ability to speak clearly and fluently, especially for an extended period of time.

Nodules, polyps and paralysis – whether of the face, neck, throat muscles or other respiratory and speech-related structures, these should be attended to by a qualified physician or therapist without undue delay.

Acid Reflux, allergies and Stress – Although acid reflux is a stomach-related condition it often causes throat problems. Allergies can heavily impact the throat’s structures and respiratory system. Stress can also cripple your ability to deliver a well-modulated oral discourse. If you are highly stressed, try several relaxation or stress-relief methods until you find at least a couple that work well for you. Then use them as needed to minimize the effects stress has on you.

Physician Guillermo Velasco, MD likewise reminds us that, “Nasal obstructions can cause an increase in mouth breathing which places a heavier load on the throat producing a higher incidence of bronchitis.”

Environmental Conditions

With the oft-polluted conditions we live in it’s a wonder we’re not even sicker more frequently than we are. Environmental factors can obviously play a huge role on our abilities to breathe, speak and even converse normally. Consider as examples, the following environmental factors like smoky, dusty and sandy environments which force us to breathe air that is filled with:

Smoke

Dust – Another English as a foreign language teacher, Colin Jacobs, offers this contribution, “The first two or three weeks of the semester, dust and cold air from the air conditioning system cause me throat problems. My voice cracks or my speaking volume changes unexpectedly.”

- Sand
- Powders or chemicals
- Solvents
- Yeasts or other biological agents
- Microscopic organisms
- Chemical gasses
- Manufacturing process odors and chemical agents

Summary

In addition to considering the above conditions in the care of your voice, pay extra attention to see a doctor, speech therapist or specialist if you:

- Have frequent cases of sore throat
- Need to “clear your throat” frequently for extended periods of time
- Experience difficulty or tiredness when speaking extensively
- Develop a persistent or heavy cough for any reason

So if you can’t imagine even one day of work without a voice, consider these suggestions for combating enemies of your speech. Take care to safeguard your voice.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com

English and Foreign Language Teachers: Safeguard Your Voice Part 1

English and Foreign Language Teachers and Speaking Professionals: Safeguard Your Voice

It is absolutely essential that English and foreign language teachers, public speakers, sales personnel, singers, actors, politicians and other professionals whose voice is their fortune safeguard their speaking abilities. Can you imagine even one day at work without having a voice? How about a week “sans voice”? Could you manage a speechless month? You think not?

Then consider these front line enemies to the care of your voice.

Enemies of the Voice

The following factors can all influence and affect your voice and its qualities in a negative way. At all times possible, any and all of these factors should be avoided, eliminated or at the very least, as highly controlled as possible. See your doctor for further medical assistance with these voice-affecting factors.

Extremes in Temperature

-Drinking very hot or very cold beverages – hot coffee, tea, chocolate or toddies can burn, overheat or damage the sensitive linings of the mouth and throat

- Drinking very cold beverages – albeit refreshing to quaff, a very cold beverage on a hot day or when you’re feeling parched consider sipping your beverage, not gulping it down. Beverages that are room temperature refresh just as well without subjecting sensitive tissues to extreme temperatures

- Heating, air conditioning, drafts – these can also cause chills and rapid temperature changes to the tissues of the neck and throat

Tobacco Use

Smoking – the hazards of smoking certainly need not be expounded on here. The tars and nicotine that cigar and cigarette smoke contain have a definite negative effect on your mouth, lungs, nasal and throat passages including the larynx or voice box. These negative effects can be difficult, time-consuming or even nearly impossible to reverse in some cases

Chewing – The constant draining and flow of tobacco elements in chewing tobacco make it no better than smoking and possibly even worse due to the higher concentrations of tars, nicotine and other chemicals that may be present. Tobacco chewers often have problems with “upset stomach”.

Sniffing or Dipping – these are virtually the same as chewing tobacco and like chewing can also affect the nasal passages, teeth, gums, mouth linings and throat tissues down to and including the larynx

Harsh Foods

There are an extensive number of foods which should be avoided before, during and after a scheduled oral presentation of any kind. Foods which can negatively impact the body structures associated with speech include:

- Hard-fried, baked or extra crunchy foods – potato chips, pretzels, snacks and other baked, fried or confectionary goods

- High salt content foods – Okay, so I’m guilty, I love salty French fries and salt-cured meats, but these are definitely to be avoided anytime near a speaking presentation as they can represent a severe shock to the throat, mucous membranes and linings of the throat and mouth

- High acid content foods and drinks – Foods and drinks with a very high acidic content aren’t exactly the cat’s meow when it comes to public speaking either. This includes such favorites as lime and lemonade, sour and bitter tropical fruits and those with a very strong odor, flavor or pulp texture.

Summary

In addition to considering the above conditions in the care of your voice, pay extra attention to see a doctor, speech therapist or specialist if you:

- Have frequent cases of sore throat
- Need to “clear your throat” frequently for extended periods of time
- Experience difficulty or tiredness when speaking extensively
- Develop a persistent or heavy cough for any reason

So if you can’t imagine even one day of work without a voice, consider these suggestions for combating enemies of your speech. In part two of this article, we’ll consider some additional factors affecting your speaking ability. Take care to safeguard your voice.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an English language teaching and learning expert author and university professor in Cali, Colombia. Now YOU too can live your dreams in paradise, find romance, high adventure and get paid while travelling for free. For more information on entering or advancing in the fascinating field of teaching English as a Foreign or Second Language send for his no-cost pdf Ebook, “If You Want to Teach English Abroad, Here’s What You Need to Know”, by sending an e-mail with "free ELT Ebook" in the subject line. For comments, questions, requests, to receive more information or to be added to his free TESOL articles and teaching materials mailing list, e-mail: lynchlarrym@gmail.com