Description of English Language Learners

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According to the Glossary of Education Reform ("English language learner," 2013), English Language Learners (ELL) are students who are unable to communicate fluently or learn effective in English; who often come from non English speaking homes and backgrounds. And who typically require specialized or modified instruction in both English language and in their academic courses. Immigrants make up 13% of the United States population, and within the 13% many people have children who speak their native language. In 1974, there was a Supreme Court Justice case, Lau vs. Nichols. Kenny Lau was a Chinese immigrant, and his lawyers thought it was unfair for him to only be taught in English when he was at school. Kenny did not know the English language, therefore when he was in school he was not learning. Education systems had to do something, so that non-speaking English students would have equal access to education. There was even research done that showed English Language Learners had a higher dropout rate, and their grades were significantly lower than students who spoke English. This led to school creating programs for ELL students. The programs that were created can be summarized in to five categories. English As A Second Language English as a second language (ESL) refers to people who have not learned English as their primary language. Some people may say that ESL is not a correct term, because there are many students who are learning English as their third or fourth language. Therefore, a better term to use would be Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The main goal of ESL and TESOL programs are to, develop students' English-language skills, with a primary focus on communication, grammar, and vocabulary (Ameri... ... middle of paper ... ...chool that spoke Spanish. There were achievement tests given to each of the four groups and the results were that the English and Spanish Amigos both performed better on the tests in general. Works Cited American Federation of Teachers. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/12932/ Ell in elementary schools. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sitemaker.umich.edu/356.hunemorder/late-exit_bilingual_education English language learner. (2013, August 29). Retrieved from http://edglossary.org/english-language-learner/ Sheltered or scaffolded instruction support and alignment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teachingenglishlearners.com/ells-and-academic-success/sheltered-instruction Two-way bilingual education programs in practice: A national and local perspective. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.cal.org/resources/digest/ed379915.html

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