Studies & Degrees in English as a Second Language
English as a Second Language Study Programs
English as a Second Language (ESL) is the teaching of English to people whose first language is not English. Schools also use the names English as a Foreign Language (EFL), English language training or, in North America, intensive English. The aim is practical: to understand, speak, read and write English well enough for daily life, study or work.
Courses train the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing, together with grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation. According to EducationUSA, the U.S. Department of State's advising network, English courses range from beginner level for those who have never studied the language to advanced courses for students preparing for academic study or employment. Some programmes focus only on English for academic purposes; others prepare for specific examinations or for the workplace.
Levels, course types and exams
Most schools place students with a test on arrival and describe their levels with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), a six-point scale from A1 for beginners up to C2 for those who have mastered a language. Not every school uses it: Camosun College in Canada, for example, divides its ESL training into eight levels of its own.
- General English. Group classes for everyday communication, at a standard or an intensive pace.
- Intensive English programmes (IEP). The usual format in the United States, often on a college or university campus.
- English for academic purposes and pathway programmes. Preparation for university study. Some U.S. colleges and universities offer bridge or pathway programmes in which students build their English while earning academic credit toward a degree.
- Exam preparation. Courses for IELTS, TOEFL or the Cambridge English Qualifications, such as B2 First and C1 Advanced.
- Business English, one-to-one tuition and junior summer courses.
The exam matters when a certificate is needed. IELTS has an Academic and a General Training version: the Listening and Speaking sections are the same, and the Reading and Writing sections differ. IELTS Academic is the usual choice for those who plan to study in an English-speaking country. The TOEFL iBT test also covers reading, listening, speaking and writing. A language school's own certificate of attendance is not an official qualification.
Where to study English
The SpainExchange directory lists 24 active schools for this subject. Nine are in the United States, six in the United Kingdom, three in Spain and two in Ireland; Canada, Poland, Australia and Germany have one each. They include private language schools, community colleges and universities.
- United Kingdom. Schools often state their British Council accreditation, as Bournemouth City College does. For an English course that lasts longer than 6 months but not more than 11 months there is a Short-term study visa, which costs £228 according to GOV.UK (checked on 8 October 2026). Shorter courses fall under the Visitor visa and longer ones under the Student visa. Holders of the Short-term study visa cannot work, including unpaid work and work placements.
- Ireland. Delfin English School in Dublin, for example, offers an academic year programme with 25 weeks of classes over 8 months, in groups of up to 16 students, and exam preparation for IELTS and Cambridge from B1 to C2. Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland need a letter of enrolment and paid fees, and must register if they stay longer than 90 days, according to Ireland's Immigration Service Delivery.
- United States and Canada. English is taught in intensive programmes at colleges such as Chemeketa Community College in Oregon, where over 175 students from over 43 countries study intensive English or an academic programme each year. Camosun College in Victoria starts its courses in September, January, March or May. In the United States, the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) is a specialised accrediting agency for postsecondary English programmes and is recognised by the U.S. Secretary of Education.
- Spain. The directory also lists schools in Madrid, Barcelona and Málaga for students who want to improve their English without leaving the country.
When comparing schools, look at accreditation, class size, hours per week, the exams the school prepares for, the accommodation it arranges and the visa rules for the length of course you want.
What an English course leads to
For most students an English course is a step towards something else. Universities that teach in English ask international applicants for a test score, and many employers ask for a certified level. A course is therefore best chosen from the goal backwards: the level or score required, the exam that proves it and the time needed to get there. Those who want to teach English follow a different route, through teacher-training qualifications rather than ESL courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between ESL and EFL?
ESL usually refers to learning English in a country where English is spoken, and EFL to learning it in a country where it is not. Schools use both names for the same kind of course.
Which English exam should I take, IELTS or TOEFL?
Check first which exam the university or employer accepts. IELTS Academic is designed for those who plan to study in an English-speaking country, and the TOEFL iBT test also covers the four skills. Many language schools offer preparation courses for both.
Do I need a visa to study English in the United Kingdom?
It depends on your nationality and the length of the course. For courses longer than 6 months and up to 11 months there is the Short-term study visa (£228). Courses of 6 months or shorter fall under the Visitor visa, and courses longer than 11 months under the Student visa.