ESL stands for English as a Second Language. It refers to programs and classes designed to teach English to people whose first language is something other than English. You’ll encounter the term most often in schools, colleges, and community education centers, where ESL programs help immigrants, refugees, and international students build their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
How ESL Programs Work
ESL classes use English as the primary language of instruction, creating an immersion environment that pushes learners to practice constantly. Programs are typically divided into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels so students work at an appropriate pace. Lessons focus on grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and cultural understanding. Many programs award certificates upon completion, which can help with employment or college admission.
In public schools, ESL services are delivered in a few different ways. In a pull-out model, students leave their regular classroom for a separate session with an ESL teacher in a smaller, lower-pressure setting. In a push-in model, the ESL teacher comes into the regular classroom and works with students individually or in small groups during the normal lesson. Some schools use a co-teaching model, where the ESL teacher and the classroom teacher plan and deliver lessons together. Each approach has tradeoffs: pull-out gives students a safer space to take risks with the language, while push-in keeps them integrated with their peers but can sometimes feel singling-out.
How Students Are Identified for ESL
Schools follow a structured process to determine whether a student needs ESL support. The first step is a home language survey, completed when a student enrolls. It asks straightforward questions: Was English your first language? What language do you speak most often with your family? What language do you speak with your friends?
If the survey indicates a language other than English is spoken at home, educators gather more information about the student’s educational background, including how many years of schooling the student completed, what subjects were studied, and whether instruction was in English or another language. Next comes a formal assessment of English proficiency, often using standardized oral and written tests. A key detail here: students who can hold a face-to-face conversation in English may still lack the academic reading and writing skills needed for grade-level classwork. That gap is exactly what the testing is designed to catch. Finally, educators assess the student’s knowledge in content areas like math, science, and social studies to build a complete picture of what support is needed.
Related Terms You’ll See
ESL is one of several acronyms used in education for English-language instruction, and they overlap in ways that can be confusing.
- ELL (English Language Learner) describes the student, not the program. U.S. schools commonly use this label to identify students who need extra English support. ELL students often receive individualized learning plans and regular progress assessments.
- ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) is a broader umbrella term that covers all English instruction for non-native speakers, including ESL programs. You’ll see ESOL used in community centers, adult education classes, and international schools.
- EFL (English as a Foreign Language) refers to English instruction in countries where English is not the dominant language. A student studying English in Japan or Brazil, for example, is in an EFL setting. A student studying English after moving to the United States is in an ESL setting.
The Shift Toward “Multilingual Learner”
The terminology in this field has been evolving for decades. The earliest federal label was “Limited English Proficient,” or LEP, which educators and researchers criticized for framing students around what they lacked rather than what they brought to the classroom. “English Learner” replaced it as a more positive alternative, emphasizing that students were actively acquiring a new language.
More recently, many schools and organizations have adopted “Multilingual Learner,” or MLL. The reasoning is that “English Learner” still centers English as the only language that matters, while “Multilingual Learner” acknowledges the full range of languages and dialects a student already speaks. It also recognizes indigenous languages and dialects that have historically been dismissed. MLL is the most inclusive term because it can describe any student working across multiple languages, including a fluent English speaker learning Spanish in a dual-language program. You may still see ESL on program names, course catalogs, and job postings, but the language around it is gradually shifting.
ESL Teaching as a Career
Teaching ESL in a public school requires a state-issued teaching certificate with an ESL endorsement. The specifics vary by state, but the general path involves completing a bachelor’s degree, finishing an approved ESL educator preparation program, and passing both oral and written English language proficiency tests. Some states require a minimum score of “Advanced Low” on standardized proficiency exams like the Oral Proficiency Interview and the Written Proficiency Test.
Private language schools, tutoring companies, and overseas programs often have lighter requirements. Many accept a bachelor’s degree in any field paired with a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certificate, which can be completed in as little as a few weeks for shorter programs or several months for more comprehensive ones. Teaching ESL abroad is a common path for recent graduates, with positions available in dozens of countries.
Where to Find ESL Programs
If you or someone you know needs ESL classes, they are widely available. Public school districts provide them at no cost to K-12 students who qualify. Community colleges often run affordable ESL programs for adults, with courses ranging from basic literacy to college-prep English. Public libraries, community centers, and nonprofit organizations frequently offer free or low-cost conversation groups and structured classes. Many programs also provide flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend sessions, to accommodate work schedules.