TEFL, TESL, EFL...Glossary of Language Learning Terms

Definitions for common eLearning, proficiency test acronyms, and language learning terms. Check the Menu Descriptions page for definitions of terms used in the menus.

Term Definition
Activity From the Ask Olli search menu: An online lesson that you can do on your own, without imput or interaction with others. Activities commonly take the form of exercises, quizzes, games and stories.

BEC Business English Certificate. A Cambridge ESOL exam for business English administered in three levels.

BULATS Business Language Testing Service. A Cambridge ESOL assessment service for companies looking to measure language skills in English, French, German and Spanish. Ask Olli search results for BULATS.

CAE Certificate in Advanced English. The advanced level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for CAE.

Cambridge ESOL University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages. A set of exams administered by the University of Cambridge covering general English (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE), business English (BEC, BULATS), academic English (IELTS-in partnership with other organisations), childrens English (YLE), Legal English (ILEC) and asessment of individual skills (CELS and Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life).

CELS Certificates in English Language Skills. These Cambridge ESOL certificates measure each skill (reading, writing, etc...) separately.

Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life A Cambridge ESOL exam for learners in Britain that measures each skill (reading, writing, etc...) separately.

CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English. The highest advanced level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for CPE.

EFL English as a Foreign Language. English taught in countries where English is not an official language.

eMagazine Electronic magazines. Either a link or the magazine itself gets delivered to your email.

ESL English as a Second Language. English taught in countries where English is an official language.

FCE First Certificate in English. The upper-intermediate level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for FCE.

Format An Ask Olli search menu term: The technology used to deliver a lesson (podcast, live online lesson, for example).

IELTS International English Language Testing System. Academic and General English tests for non-native English speakers. The Academic test is accepted in English-speaking institutions worldwide, but particularly those outside the USA. Ask Olli search results for IELTS.

ILEC International Legal English Certificate. A Cambridge ESOL test for law.

KET Key English Test. The elementary level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for KET.

Mobile-Ready An Ask Olli search menu term: A lesson that can be done using a mobile phone.

PET Preliminary English Test. The intermediate-level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests.

Podcast A video or audio-only show broadcast over the internet. They can be viewed online with your web-browser or automatically downloaded using an aggregator.

Reference An Ask Olli search menu term: A web page that you can use to find answers to language questions.

Second-Life A virtual world being used by some for language teaching where people choose an avatar (a figure to represent themselves) and interact live with other peoples avatars in a computer-generated world.

Skills An Ask Olli search menu term: The language skills that the lesson practices. Listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary, for example.

TOEFL Test of English as a Foreign Language. Test of American English for non-native English speakers looking to attend college/university in English-speaking institutions around the world but particularly in the USA. Ask Olli search results for TOEFL.

TOEIC Test of English for International Communication. The standard proficiency test for workplace English. Ask Olli search results for TOEIC.

Topic An Ask Olli search menu term: The lessons target category. General (English), travel, business, childrens News or tests like TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, for example.

Virtual World A world where people choose an avatar (a figure to represent themselves) and interact live with other peoples avatars in a computer-generated world. Second Life is the most popular example.

Webcam Lessons An Ask Olli search menu term: Lessons conducted online. They can use virtual worlds, like Second Life, VoIP, content management systems and other technologies.

YLE Young Learners English. A Cambridge ESOL test for children aged seven to twelve.

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Term	Definition
Activity	From the Ask Olli search menu: An online lesson that you can do on your own, without imput or interaction with others. Activities commonly take the form of exercises, quizzes, games and stories.
BEC	Business English Certificate. A Cambridge ESOL exam for business English administered in three levels.
BULATS	Business Language Testing Service. A Cambridge ESOL assessment service for companies looking to measure language skills in English, French, German and Spanish. Ask Olli search results for BULATS.
CAE	Certificate in Advanced English. The advanced level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for CAE.

Cambridge ESOL	University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages. A set of exams administered by the University of Cambridge covering general English (KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE), business English (BEC, BULATS), academic English (IELTS-in partnership with other organisations), childrens English (YLE), Legal English (ILEC) and asessment of individual skills (CELS and Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life).
CELS	Certificates in English Language Skills. These Cambridge ESOL certificates measure each skill (reading, writing, etc...) separately.
Certificate in ESOL Skills for Life	A Cambridge ESOL exam for learners in Britain that measures each skill (reading, writing, etc...) separately.
CPE	Certificate of Proficiency in English. The highest advanced level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for CPE.
EFL	English as a Foreign Language. English taught in countries where English is not an official language.

eMagazine	Electronic magazines. Either a link or the magazine itself gets delivered to your email.
ESL	English as a Second Language. English taught in countries where English is an official language.
FCE	First Certificate in English. The upper-intermediate level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for FCE.
Format	An Ask Olli search menu term: The technology used to deliver a lesson (podcast, live online lesson, for example).
IELTS	International English Language Testing System. Academic and General English tests for non-native English speakers. The Academic test is accepted in English-speaking institutions worldwide, but particularly those outside the USA. Ask Olli search results for IELTS.

ILEC	International Legal English Certificate. A Cambridge ESOL test for law.
KET	Key English Test. The elementary level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests. Ask Olli search results for KET.
Mobile-Ready	An Ask Olli search menu term: A lesson that can be done using a mobile phone.
PET	Preliminary English Test. The intermediate-level in the University of Cambridge ESOL set of general English tests.
Podcast	A video or audio-only show broadcast over the internet. They can be viewed online with your web-browser or automatically downloaded using an aggregator.
Reference	An Ask Olli search menu term: A web page that you can use to find answers to language questions.
Second-Life	A virtual world being used by some for language teaching where people choose an avatar (a figure to represent themselves) and interact live with other peoples avatars in a computer-generated world.
Skills	An Ask Olli search menu term: The language skills that the lesson practices. Listening, writing, grammar and vocabulary, for example.
TOEFL	Test of English as a Foreign Language. Test of American English for non-native English speakers looking to attend college/university in English-speaking institutions around the world but particularly in the USA. Ask Olli search results for TOEFL.
TOEIC	Test of English for International Communication. The standard proficiency test for workplace English. Ask Olli search results for TOEIC.
Topic	An Ask Olli search menu term: The lessons target category. General (English), travel, business, childrens News or tests like TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS, for example.
Virtual World	A world where people choose an avatar (a figure to represent themselves) and interact live with other peoples avatars in a computer-generated world. Second Life is the most popular example.
Webcam Lessons	An Ask Olli search menu term: Lessons conducted online. They can use virtual worlds, like Second Life, VoIP, content management systems and other technologies.
YLE	Young Learners English. A Cambridge ESOL test for children aged seven to twelve.