English as a second or foreign language

English as a second or foreign language is the use of English by speakers with different native languages. Instruction for English-language learners may be known as English as a second language (ESL), English as a foreign language (EFL), English as an additional language (EAL), or English for speakers of other languages (ESOL).

English as a second language (ESL) is often used for non-native English speakers learning English in a country where English is commonly spoken. English as a foreign language (EFL) is used for non-native English speakers learning English in a country where English is not commonly spoken. The term ESL has been misinterpreted by some to indicate that English would be of secondary importance. However, it simply refers to the order in which the language was learned, consistent with the linguistic terminology of second-language acquisition. The term ESL can be a misnomer for some students who have learned several languages before learning English. The terms English Language Learners (ELL), and more recently English Learners (EL), have been used instead, and the students’ home language and cultures are considered important.

Electronic Sports League

The Electronic Sports League (ESL, formerly ESPL) is an eSports league, which is operated by Turtle Entertainment in Cologne, Germany. Today it has more than 5,000,000 registered members and consists of over 1,000,000 teams, which have played over 22.5 million games in addition to leagues, tournaments and VERSUS, the ESL's own online matchmaking. The ESL supports over 50 games in different genres through various national and international leagues. Games are usually broadcast via Twitch.tv, or played publicly at conventions such as Gamescom or CeBIT. ESL also operates the Intel Extreme Masters world championships.

History

ESL was founded in 1997 as Deutsche Clanliga (DeCL) by today's CEO, Ralf Reichert, and members of SK Gaming. It was renamed in 2000, making it the oldest league of its kind in the world. In July 2015, Modern Times Group (MTG) bought a majority share within Turtle Entertainment for $86 million.

Until June 2015, the Electronic Sports League was operated by the German company Turtle Entertainment GmbH, headquartered in Cologne. The main sources of income are sponsorship revenue, online advertising, merchandising and international licensing business. Licenses to operate their own national branches of ESL are assigned to partners from across Europe.

ESL One Cologne

ESL One Cologne is a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major tournament run the Electronic Sports League and sponsored by game developer Valve Corporation. There have been two tournaments by the name so far:

Games Academy

The Games Academy is the oldest German and European school dedicated to the development of video games. Besides QANTM and Supinfogame, it is one of the few institutions in Europe that are entirely focused on video game development.

About the Games Academy

The Games Academy is a privately held vocational school, founded in 2000 by Thomas Dlugaiczyk in Berlin. In 2007, a second establishment was opened in Frankfurt am Main.

The Games Academy's aim is to offer students an education specialized in the video game business and/or development. Along with the Qantm Institute, the Games Academy is the only educational institution in Germany that is dedicated to such an education.

Most of the school's teachers work in the game industry. The Games Academy is often present at German video game conferences and exhibitions, such as the gamescom or the Making Games-conference.

The Games Academy is cooperating with the FH Braunschweig/Wolfenbüttel and the HBK Braunschweig in order to make it possible for students to obtain a recognized academic degree, a Bachelor's degree either in Media & computer science or graphic design.