ESL stands for English as a Second Language and refers to teaching English to non-native speakers. US schools must provide classroom ESL instruction to students whose primary language is not English. ESL programs are advancing in schools and for adults, with different aims and requirements. Curriculum varies by state, but all must provide ESL learning programs within federal guidelines. The internet provides resources for reinforcement, and adult programs are available at community colleges and through distance learning.
ESL is an acronym used primarily in educational contexts and stands for English as a Second Language. Refers to teaching English to a person whose native or primary language is other than English. Education laws in the United States require schools to provide classroom ESL instruction to all enrolled students whose primary language is not English.
The need for ESL programs to help U.S. students achieve standards of educational proficiency in school is evident from the 2000 census, which found that nearly 1 in 5 U.S. citizens spoke a language other than English at home. While that doesn’t imply that those people don’t also speak English, the census also found that about 10 percent spoke English less than fluently or not at all. The primary language of these individuals was Spanish.
ESL programs in elementary and secondary schools are advancing to meet the needs of young people in the United States who need to learn English to succeed in school. The programs for adults also continue, but at different speeds and with different aims. In public schools, ESL programs must meet certain state and federal requirements.
Many early childhood and elementary ESL programs focus on the English alphabet and phonics through a combination of visual and auditory presentations. Computers in classrooms play an important role in implementing programs for students of all ages. The curriculum can vary from state to state, but all states are required to provide ESL learning programs within the guidelines of federal mandates for education, including No Child Left Behind. The Internet also provides invaluable dropout reinforcement resources, especially for parents of young children, as a number of sites provide printable worksheets and games that help reinforce the foundations of English. Additionally, a number of adult programs are becoming widely available at community colleges and through distance learning programs.
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