INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume05, issue03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 853
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEARNING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE AND
LEARNING ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE.
Bisenbaeva Gulayim
Abdullayeva Regina
Uzbekistan State University of World Languages
Department Of Applied Aspects of English Language
Annotation:
This review presents information about ESL and EFL. The paper aims to give
deeper information about ESL and EFL, difference between learning English as a second
language and learning English as a foreign language.
Key words:
ESL, EFL, official language, second language, non-English-speaking countries,
integration.
Introduction
English is the most widely spoken language in the world and it is continuing to spread
intensively around the world. English plays crucial role in communication, education, travel,
business, international relations and even entertainment. Therefore, millions of people around the
world learn English as a second or foreign language. It has been researched that 750 million
English as a foreign language speakers and 350 million English as a second language learners.
For both learners the final purpose is to master English language, but it might be challenging
to learn it. It is not related with only psychology or methods but also environment. For ESL
students, learning English comes naturally to them. '' What we refer to as "second language
acquisition" is actually a subconscious process that is comparable to the process of learning one's
mother tongue'' Krashen (1985). They would consider speaking English with others to be social
communication. When he distinguishes between EFL and ESL, he finds that foreign language
learning takes place in the learner's native language environment, whereas second language
acquisition takes place in the target language environment.
Before distinguishing ESL from EFL, it is important to know that there are some differences
between them. ESL students might be more motivated to master the language and become
proficient speakers of English. After all, individuals must be able to communicate in English in
order to excel in a variety of daily tasks. Since they are more likely to be studying the language
for academic objectives than ESL students, EFL learners may require more encouragement from
the teacher, but they may also take their time and be more meticulous because their needs are not
as pressing.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume05, issue03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 854
Whether, people ESL learner or EFL learner it does not matter. After all, it is important
mastering English language well and be successful speaker with developed communication skills.
Definition of ESL
English as a Second Language, or ESL, is the study and usage of English by people whose
mother tongue is different but who reside in a nation where English is the primary language. For
social connections, employment, school, and everyday communication, these students require
English. ESL students are engaged in an environment where English is widely spoken, as
opposed to EFL (English as a Foreign Language), which involves learning English in a nation
where English is not the primary language. For example, India where English is their second
language. The population of India use Indian language (Hindi) combined with English and plays
crucial in education, governance, business, and daily communication. This gives Indians vital
benefits in globalization.
The idea learning English as a second language has been around for centuries, particularly in
colonial areas where English was first spoken and in multilingual populations. As immigration
rose and globalization extended English around the world in the 20th century, the official
development of ESL instruction grew more organized.
Talking about founders, there are no founders of ESL. But number of linguists and educators
have contributed to development of ESL:
- The pioneer of early approaches to teaching English as a second language was Harold E.
Palmer (1877–1949).
- ESL instruction was impacted by the theories of 1928-born Noam Chomsky regarding
language acquisition.
- The input theory, which was developed by Stephen Krashen (born 1941), highlights the
significance of exposure to understandable English.
Today, ESL is helping to society in development of in spheres like: education, integration
between countries, technology, business, entertainment.
Definition of EFL
The study of English by people who live in a nation where English is not the primary language
is known as EFL (English as a Foreign Language). Learners learn English for academic,
professional, or for other purposes, but they do not use it in their daily lives. EFL learners mostly
rely on classroom instruction and scheduled classes, in contrast to ESL (English as a Second
Language) learners, who are immersed in an English-speaking environment.
Although English as a foreign language instruction has been used for many years, its organized
methodology underwent substantial development in the 19th and 20th centuries. The demand for
studying English has grown globally because of the British Empire's growth and the influence of
English-speaking nations, particularly the USA and the UK.
EFL first started developing in 19
th
century, when it was introduced to European and Asian
schools and educational organizations as a foreign language. In 20
th
century started growing
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume05, issue03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 855
communication, business and technology that made English one of the vital languages in the
world. Finally, now, 21th century, where English become dominant global language around the
world and increasing the role alongside with everything.
As ESL, there is no founder of EFL, though, educators and linguist contributed to the growth of
EFL method:
- British linguist Harold E. Palmer (1877–1949) created methodical strategies for teaching
English to speakers of other languages.
- Born in 1928, Noam Chomsky's insights on language acquisition have shaped
contemporary teaching approaches.
- Stephen Krashen, who was born in 1941, contributed to the development of
contemporary EFL teaching methods with his insights on language acquisition.
Difference between EFL and ESL
Despite the fact that both methods based on English language learning, there are some
differences between them. The distinctions between "foreign language" and "second language"
were defined by Shu Dingfang (1994) based on a variety of criteria, including affective aspects
that affect learning, language input, and language environment. ESL, or English as a second
language, is therefore the same as or even more essential than mother tongue, whereas EFL
refers to learning English in non-English speaking nations. EFL is the term used to describe
people who learn English in non-English speaking nations, according to Yoko Iwai (2011). For
instance, EFL learners are Japanese individuals who study English in their nation. Additionally,
ESL refers to individuals who study English in nations where it is formally spoken and used as a
communication tool (for example, Hispanic individuals learning English are ESL persons).
Compared to EFL, English as a Second Language (ESL) is far more immersing. This is due to
the fact that ESL is intended to occur in an English-speaking environment. The students will
have more opportunities to apply what they have learned and be exposed to more situations
outside of the classroom. The majority of learning in the English as a Foreign Language (EFL)
methodology takes place in the classroom. This is because non-English speaking nations
typically use it. In the classroom, students speak English, but outside of it, they speak their native
tongue.
Stern (1983) discussed the distinctions between «foreign language» and «second language» in
terms of language functions, learning objectives, language environment, and learning methods in
his book "Fundamental Concepts of Language Teaching." A foreign language, in his view, is one
that is spoken outside of one's own nation. Learning a foreign language can help you travel,
converse with locals, read international publications, and more. On the other hand, a second
language is one that is just as vital as a mother tongue. So, the main differences are environment,
methods and functions.
In particular, ESL students might feel more pressure to master the language and become
proficient speakers of English. After all, they use English in many aspects of their daily lives and
require it to be successful. (e.g., learning English in the USA, UK, Canada, or Australia).
Compared to ESL pupils, EFL learners may require more encouragement from instructors, but
since their needs are less pressing, they may also take their time and pay close attention to
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
ISSN: 2692-5206, Impact Factor: 12,23
American Academic publishers, volume05, issue03,2025
Journal:
https://www.academicpublishers.org/journals/index.php/ijai
page 856
accuracy because they are more likely to be studying the language for academic reasons. (e.g.,
Japan, Brazil, or Germany)
Usually, EFL students share language and culture in the same group. This is because ESL
students mostly come from English-speaking nations, though they usually complete their
coursework in their native country. Therefore, classes typically consist of students from a variety
of national backgrounds; they do not speak the same language or have the same culture. This
affects the planning of the lesson as well as the materials that will be used in the classroom.
While EFL is used in non-English-speaking countries, ESL is taught in English speaking
environment. This difference affects on teaching and learning methods, on usage, pronunciation
and challenges.
Even though each method has its challenges – including learning approaches, teaching
methods, resources, and environments – both methods ultimately aim to help people learn
English.
Conclusion
While both, EFL and ESL aimed on teaching English to non-native speakers, the key
difference lies on the learning environment. ESL learner are taught in countries( UK, Canada,
Austria, India) where English is used alongside with state language, allowing learners everyday
practise and faster acquisition, whereas EFL learners are immersed in non-English-speaking
countries and used classroom teaching instruction with limited real life practise, mostly for
academic purposes. These differences helps learners to know their approaches and opportunities
to develop learning effectiveness, acquiring language and communication skills in English
proficiently.
References.
1. Krashen, S. (1985). Principles and practise second language acquisition
2. Chomsky, N. (1928). Language and Mind. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
3. Iwai, Y. (2011). The distinction between foreign language and second language learning.
International Journal of Language Studies, 23-35.
4. Krashen, S. (1982). Principles and Practice in Second Language Acquisition. Pergamon
Press, 10-32.
5. Palmer, H. E. (1921). The Principles of Language-Study. Oxford University Press, 45-67.
6. Shu, D. (1994). Affective factors and language learning: Differences between foreign and
second language learners. Journal of Language Teaching, 55-67.
7. Stern, H. H. (1983). Fundamental Concepts of Language Teaching. Oxford University Press,
21-45.
