To compare both terms, we need to define them first, ESL is an abbreviation for English as a Second

Language, is an English language study program for nonnative speakers. EFL refers to English as a Foreign
Language. The main distinction between ESL and EFL comes from the native language of the country in
which instruction is being given. An ESL classroom is one in which English is the primary nation language.
That’s why ESL is the typically the term used in US, and EFL is used in countries where English is not the
native language (Puerto Rico, China, Mexico).

Another main difference between the terms is the exposure of the language in the learner, ESL students are
learning from first hand and experiencing the language with the correct environment and can have a full
experience of it outside their classroom. In the case of EFL learners need to experience it from the
classroom, they will not have an outside experience of the language.

Here in Puerto Rico students are educated in ESL even though that we can be fully be teaching EFL, why is
important the difference because the Department of Education needs to understand that present students
and former students they see English as an imposed language. After Puerto Rico was ceded to the U.S. by
the Treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898, the education of Puerto Rico changed completely. United States
tried to implement that English was the primary language of the Island.

When John Eaton, Commissioner of Education in the U.S., arrived in Puerto Rico in 1898, he needs to move
the civilians of the Island to an “Americanization” thru the English language, Eaton stated that teachers in
Puerto Rico needed to know English and that he would bring English-speaking teachers to teach at Puerto
Rico schools. In the other hand Dr. Martin Brumbauh who became Commissioner of Education, wanted to
teach English but presenting it as a commercial and domestic language of the Island. His idea was to
continue teaching Spanish and English but presented as subjects in the first grade. He even stated that these
North American teachers, encouraged the celebration of U.S. holidays, the naming of schools after
American Patriots or Presidents, the raising and saluting of the American flag and the signing of the
American National Anthem in schools. These was even talked in stories from Abelardo Díaz Alfaro, where he
would present stories like “Santa Clo va a la cuchilla”, that is the story of how the American story was
imposed to the poor areas of Puerto Rico or even “Peyo Mercé enseña inglés” where he created characters
to reflect what was living in the Island with the mandatory teaching of English language in Puerto Rico. On
the story of Peyo Mercé enseña inglés, Mercé was asked to become and English Teacher but if he failed in
the test he could have his license revoked. That process was presented by Commissioner of Education
Roland Faulkner.

But after all these changes that had been the result of a failing experiment to make English our first
language, on 1943 after 45 years of U.S. domination, Puerto Ricans weren’t close to speak fully the
language. Even today the struggle of the Department of Education of Puerto Rico in the fully process of a
Puerto Rican becoming bilingual has failed. The Department only sees their history surrounding the fact that
Puerto Ricans see learning English as an imposed process.

How being in U.S. territory changed the view of the language, bilingual education has existed way back to
1664. By the time of World War one, that the streets of U.S. were filled with immigrants from all over the
world, people would survive living in ethnic neighborhoods with other immigrants, English was not
necessary to survive. Even in Louisiana that French was spoken and Spanish in Arizona and New Mexico,
among other states.

Something that hasn’t change is the process to become an American Citizen, to become one you need to
know the language. Ford Company even incentive their workers with a $5-a-day wage program. This caused
that immigrants moved to more proficient English neighborhoods. After all these educational changes U.S.
has treated their immigrants better than their own territories. immigrants see English as an opportunity not
as an invasive language. Having the necessities of a language to survive that wasn’t the case of Puerto
Ricans. But culturally are we attached to the holidays, way of living of Americans? Did we complete the cycle
of Americanization? Is learning English in the Island is a necessities to get out of it?