Somethings about ESL and ESOL

To be honest: Even though I try not to give a damn to these two terms, but I still cannot refrain myself from talking about them...And it's because I'd been given birth in the country that doesn't use English as a native or second language, but viewed by fellow countrymen as an other language in which hurts my feeling so badly; hey, it isn't because of I don't like being a Thai or using my native language, but I'd already found my passion in English language long, long time ago! As soon as I could read and write my own language, to say the least...

Well, let's throw that dramatic moment away for a while. We're going to discuss about somethings that lie within ESL and ESOL, right? Then let us waste no time. But remember; all that I've written are purely come directly from my head and my own perspective. So, read them with your unbiased mind, but constructive ideas are always welcomed. I always like to talk with clever and open-minded people, you know?

Okay then, let's get to the bottom of this topic right away. Let me talk about the thing that called ESL first....it's funny that I always pronounce this 'word' like 'ea-sle' all the time. But it's in fact an acronym for [E]nglish as a [S]econd [L]anguage. It's a term, a term for an English course in classes of so many countries that use English as an second language. For example: India, Malaysia, Jamaica, etc. All those had been once a part of the former British Empire, have classes that contain ESL programs. ESL classes also say that their target language is the most important, only second to their native ones because it can switch back and forth to speak with either fellow countrymen or occupiers' officers; it's their official language. Even though the British Empire had already ceased its supremacy, those once occupied countries still retain the ESL programs. Hey, I think their decision to think about English is still their second language is nicely profitable to them. The first profit is they can speak more than one language: the bilingual...this word describes itself well enough. I think I have no need to give any further explanation for this thing. But hey, this advantage is exactly the same to the ESOL as well as an opportunity for those who attend either the ESL or ESOL class; an opportunity to practice their language prowess in real situations which is an another advantage. Sounds intriguing, right?

Let's move on to the another one, the ESOL. This is an acronym for [E]nglish for [S]peakers of [O]ther [L]anguage...I'm afraid about the fact that the definitions of ESL and ESOL are exactly the same, but the ESOL is way more specific than the ESL. The reason is the classes involving the ESOL is widely used in the British Commonwealth and Irish schools (in an exception of Australia), while the ESL classes are generally originated and located in the U.S., Canada and Australia. Even though the calling names are different, but the approaches and the goal are still the same...

Well, that's all for Something about ESL and ESOL. I'm a bit disappointed though, for Thailand doesn't applied such courses to the main structure of foreign languages learning system except the EP courses. Speaking of the EP courses, they've proven to be effective because most students are interested in English language at the first place!

Wow...I'm afraid my second personal column is pretty rough now. but I'm still only a beginner, you know? By the way...I'll improve my skill in column writing for my next story...