Today in the world of English language teaching and learning, EIL(English as an international language) has been gradually preferred, instead of the traditional ESL(English as a second language) or EFL(English as a foreign language).

• 当今英语教学与研究中，逐渐采用EIL(英语作为国际通用语)替代传统的ESL(英语作为第二语言)或者EFL(英语作为外国语)。