# AFL

/ˌeɪˌɛˈfɛɫ/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/afl
Updated: 2026-05-10

## Definition

a way of describing English when it is taught to people who live in a country where English is not the main language. It is a common short name used by teachers and students in the education world.

For teachers: an abbreviation for English as a Foreign Language, referring to the study or teaching of English in a non-English-speaking environment. Often contrasted with ESL (English as a Second Language), which implies the learner is living in an English-speaking country.

## Examples

- She is an AFL teacher working in South Korea.
- Many AFL students focus on passing international exams like IELTS or TOEFL to study abroad.
- The curriculum was specifically designed for the AFL market, prioritising communicative competence over the rote memorisation of obscure grammatical structures that native speakers rarely employ.

## Usage notes

- Typically functions as a noun adjunct or a proper noun in educational contexts.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.