Reflecting on the distinctions between TESOL, ESL, and EFL contexts, the EFL environment resonates most strongly with my career goals.
My preference is deeply shaped by my own experience learning French at school. Because French was not spoken in my wider community, my exposure was strictly confined to the classroom. This classic EFL experience made me realise how challenging language acquisition becomes when you lack everyday social immersion. Progress relied on conscious effort and deliberate practice rather than passive absorption.
This background gives me strong empathy for EFL students. In an EFL setting, the classroom is often the only space where learners encounter and use the target language. Educators have a vital role in creating an immersive space that bridges formal grammar with real-world communication. I find the challenge of delivering meaningful language opportunities in non-English-speaking regions particularly rewarding.
Thinking about the differences between ESL and EFL the EFL situation connects the most with my goals in life. I want to teach English in countries where it's not the main language helping students get chances to study and work in other parts of the world.
As someone who used to study a language I felt the difficulties of learning English without being surrounded by it outside of class. This experience showed me how important it is to use culturally aware methods in EFL settings.
A question I really want to talk about with others is: how can we create life speaking and listening practice, in EFL classes when students don't get to speak with native speakers often? I can't wait to hear what you think!
I would prefer to continue teaching English in Italy, so the EFL context is the one that interests me the most. I know this learning environment quite well, as I studied English in Italy and now give private English lessons.
From my experience, I have noticed that many students concentrate mainly on getting good marks at school. They do not always think about how English could be useful in their everyday lives. I find this quite challenging because learning a language should not be limited to preparing for tests.
When I teach, I try to help my students understand that English can also be useful for travelling, meeting new people and enjoying things they are interested in. I think helping students become more interested in the language is just as important as helping them improve their school results.
