English+Language+Learners

= English Language Learners and Language Diversity =



Overview: The focus of our Wiki is English language learners and language diversity. English language learners are students who do not speak English as their first or primary language. This is a very important issue in the United States today because of the quickly growing number non-English speaking students and English language learners. According to the U.S. Census bureau, about 18% of our population speaks a language other than English in the home. Approximately 11% of students in U.S. public schools are English language learners or are bilingual (NCES, 2006). The highest percentages of English language learners (ELLs) are in California, where these students make up approximately 26% of the total student population, and Texas, where ELLs constitute 16% of the population. In the 2003-04 school year, English language learner (ELL) services were provided to 3.8 million students nationwide (11 percent of all students) (NCES, 2006). In North Carolina, about 4.5% of the student population received English as a second language services in the 2002-2003 school year. We know that it is impossible to learn English immediately, so we must support these students and families within our school community.

There are many different ways to approach language issues in the classroom. Our resources address some of these approaches and offer some ideas for ways to help these children. Students will come to us with many different levels of English proficiency. English language learners can face many problems when entering school in the United States. Many of these students are from low income homes.Some of these students also move frequently making it harder for them to be consistent in their education and acquisition of the English language. Their parents may not know any English and are unable to help their children with homework or even understand letters that are sent home. Many teachers do not know a second language either. Some teachers are either unwilling to support these students properly or they are scared and overwhelmed and do not know where to look for resources. Teachers and schools must work together to provide resources for students as well as teachers. Communication is vital within the school and when working with families. Communication and family involvement fosters a positve school environment that enhances academic success.

In preparing this Wiki page, we found many helpful resources for ourselves and others. These resources include children's literature, websites, videos, and research articles relating to this topic. This space is only a sample of the vast amount of information that is available for teachers, schools, and families.Some of our websites offer links to other useful information and should be considered a "jumping off" place for further learning. Below you will find links to our information. We hope that preservice teachers will find it helpful as they work with students in the classroom.


 * Children's Literature
 * Research
 * Websites, Videos, Other Resources