eal

EAL is an acronym with several distinct meanings across different fields. The most common reference in education is English as an Additional Language. In this context, EAL describes students who are learning English in addition to their native language. EAL learners may already possess literacy in another language and require targeted support to develop proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In many schooling systems, EAL provision is separate from standard language arts instruction and is designed to help learners access the broader curriculum. Practices include differentiated instruction, language-focused strategies, and regular assessment. The term is widely used in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries; in the United States, similar learners are often described as English learners or ESL (English as a Second Language).

A second widely used meaning is Evaluation Assurance Level, a designation within the Common Criteria framework for evaluating the security of information technology products. EALs range from EAL1 to EAL7, with higher levels indicating more extensive analysis and stronger evidence. Augmentations such as EAL4+ or EAL5+ denote additional assurance beyond the base level. Certification typically involves independent testing, documentation review, and an assessment of the development environment. EALs are used by governments and industry to specify and compare the security assurance of software and hardware products.

Beyond these, EAL can have other meanings depending on context, including organizational or regional terms. Because the acronym is domain-specific, clarification of the field is usually required to determine the intended interpretation.