EAL, ESL, WAL, WSL - What does it all mean?
What is English as an Additional Language?
EAL is short for English as an Additional Language. The acronym is used to describe the teaching of English where the language is not the first which a person learns. Sometimes you might hear a different acronym, such as ESL – English as a Second Language. It has a similar, though different, meaning.
English as an Additional Language
An Additional Language
EAL (English as an Additional Language) refers to the teaching of English to pupils who’s primary language is not English or Welsh. As pupils can be fluent in multiple languages, the term “additional language” is used instead of “second language”.
Learners of all ages and backgrounds may have varying levels of English knowledge, with some learning the basics and others having foundational knowledge. Being an EAL learner (or not,) is not necessarily an indication of ethnicity or culture, or place of birth or origin.
In some writings, you may see it referred to as English/Welsh as an Additional Language instead, to represent the equality of the Welsh and English languages.
EAL Resources
EAL stands for English as an Additional Language; these resources may help you learn English.
