Free Essay

English Language Learner Issues

In: Other Topics

Submitted By ballebony
Words 867
Pages 4
Alderine Holt
ESL 223N
1/28/14
Mrs. Davis

States voter-driven initiatives/laws relating to English language learner issues

It has been a long debate and an important issue concerning English language learner from the school system to legislative forums, and there have been different policies and opinions for over forty years. Bilingual education is a method used to teach ELL students partly in their own language. The concept is that it will enhance their understanding of the curriculum and help them succeed in an English based classroom. The premise is that once the student is fairly competent in English they can progress in the classroom with their peers. Weather these programs are the best education method for ELL students this question has not been answered to address the issues concerning ELL students. The opponents of Bilingual Education believes that it is the ELL student right and need to make use of their native language to ease their transition into a English only education. The opponents also believe that the programs are hindering students’ ability to learn curriculum by keeping them in their native language too long. The Bilingual polices of today society are polices of the Bilingual Education Act of 1968 (Title VII). Congress passed the act as part of Civil Rights Title VI, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or natural origins in programs or activities in any program receiving federal finical assistant. The Bilingual Education Act requires that when needed schools must provide equal educational opportunities specifically for non-English speakers the act is enforce by the Office of Civil Rights. The act requires that students must be attending a suitable program until they know how to read, write, and comprehend English well enough to participate in the entire school curriculum. While policies provide laws that Bilingual programs must have it does not provide any specific programs for ELL students. Some programs that were developed for ELL students are English as a Second Language (ESL), Transitional Bilingual Education, and Duel-Language, immersion.
Furthermore, data on the academic success of ELL students are difficult to evaluate out of 70 studies only three focus on how long it took ELL students to learn English. The problem lies with States allowing ELL students to be exempted from assessments. If the ELL students had been in the United States or enrolled in bilingual programs for three years or less they were exempted from assessments. In 1994 Amendments to Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act--Supplied additional funds for immigrant education and allowed participation of some private school students. This act requires all states to develop and implement an assessment that include ELL students, and ensure the success of each student progress. In 2000 Executive Order 13155 "Improving Access to Services for Persons With Limited English Proficiency" --Presidential order requiring all federal programs to ensure that they are accessible to people with limited English and that they do not discriminate on the basis of national origin. In 2002 the No Child Left Behind Act--Provided grants and held school districts accountable for English language learners' and immigrant students' academic progress and English attainment; supported professional development programs. These acts closed the loophole of the testing exemption used by states, and raised the accountability stakes for tracking and improving ELL students success. The English only movement that was established in the 1980’s is another movement that is affecting the bilingual education. This movement promotes the enactment of legislations that require the use of English by government agencies. English for the Children a national advocacy organization founded by Ron Uzn encourages the dissolution of bilingual education in favor of English immersion.
In conclusion, Uzn was successful in a ballet initiative in 1998 in California, and Arizona in (2000) it required schools to use "sheltered" English immersion as the method for teaching ELL students. This method temporarily shelters ELLs from competing academically with native English-speaking students in mainstream classes. ELL students must transfer out of sheltered classes after one year, unless a waiver is signed by the parent. In the United States other traditional bilingual programs have no time limits in the classroom. Unz's goal is to implement the process of moving ELL students into English based classrooms, and they also plans to push for similar legislation in other states. I believe that we need bilingual teacher in the classroom to teach ELL student both in English and their native language. This would only enhance the student ability to understand the lesson as well as the language. I also believe that student should be tested in their own language to see if they are proficient in basic knowledge, and they should be given assessment after each assignment to see what the student has retained.

Resource
(201 4, 02) What are the history of the laws affecting ELLs. Bilingual/ESL.com Retrieved 02, 2013, from http://www.sau88.net/curriculum/ell/what-are-the-history-of-the-laws-affecting-ells
(20014, 02) English Language Learner Bilingual/ESL. Education Commission.com http://www.ecs.org/html/issue.asp?issueID=16
(2010) Wayne E. Wright Landmark Court Rulings Regarding English Language Learners http://www.colorincolorado.org/article/49704/

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Voter-Driven Initiatives/Laws Relating to English Language Learner Issues.

...Reflective Evaluation SPE-522 Lesa Kines Grand Canyon University Prof: Bryce Solberg December 19, 2012 Reflective Evaluation When reflecting back on what kind of a teacher I would be, I would combine demonstrator, facilitator and peer keeper in my daily lesson plan and classroom management. According to Schwartz all three demonstrators, facilitator and Peer Review, can be put into action in my daily routine. Demonstrator will allow me to demonstrate and the students watch attentively and to take part in an event or activity in the classroom. I am still the primary source of information but the students have an change to be more drawn in in the process. Facilitator focuses on activities in which the students are involved in an activity with somebody in the class of their choice or a group. This is more students centered with the students solving problems and making discoveries. The teacher encourages helps and guides the students towards their given task or goal. Peer keeper will allow me to my co-worker or administrators to observe what I do in the classroom an give me the positive and negative feedback that will help me improve my teaching skills and classroom management and my desire to be a good teacher. I believe that the only way that I can get there is to focus and take...

Words: 581 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Voter-Driven Initiatives/Laws Relating to English Language Learner Issues.

...Rashema Jones ECH 125-0101 August 28, 2013 Jennifer Zaur Federal/State Policy Influences Questions | Ms. Smith | Mrs. Whitaker | Mrs. Jackson (Administrator) | 1.The impact of federal and state policy on funding and testing criteria. | It has a great impact on what type of education children receive in each state. Funding is based on the cost of living and test criteria all depends on the children test scores. | Federal and state policy has a great impact of funding and testing criteria. Federal and state looks at different things to say what each state is entitled in having. Testing criteria is | This type of thing do not impact with working in a daycare center. | 2.Demographic information about you (teacher). | Black female, being in the education field for a number of year’s 1st grade teacher. | White female, being in the education field over 23 plus years getting ready to retire 1st grade teacher. | Black female, being working in the education field for 5 years. Still learning more everyday. | 3. The impact of NCLB and Title I inside the school. | The NCLB and Title I has a great impact inside the school. Work very hard to keep the federal government rules about this. | Makes sure that the children get what they need to succeed with there education. The funds are used wisely. | Do not apply to the center. | 4. What challenges do you face as a teacher? | The challenges I face as an teacher is support from parents and keeping students focus during important...

Words: 392 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

States' Voter-Driver Initiatives/Laws Relating to English Language Learner Issues

...positive connections and the bright side of teaching and learning · Clarify and stay aware of the not-so-positive habits that naturally arise when teaching children with social and emotional disorders · Practice Connect versus Convince. Teachers need to connect the information learned to the students and the real world verses convincing them this is what they believe in. This is useful when working with students who have behavior issues. Getting the student to understand what their behavior is and having them choice the decision to change is going to have a better effect on the student. · Create Individualize Learning Plans for each student describing where they wish to be at with their behavior. Revisit any time the student is struggling with making appropriate behavior decisions. Discuss creating a behavior contract with the student if the negative behavior continues. (behavior challenged students) · Students create goals for themselves based on: family, relationships, physical, mental, lifestyle, spiritual. Student's with behavior issues will revisit them when they feel new ones are needed. Student's will explain what their “big picture” is all about and then discuss if their behavior...

Words: 1501 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Legislation Paper

...there was a large growth of English language learners in the United Sates over the 21st century. This rise mandated the need for public schools throughout the nation to assist English language learners with the instruction of special language. Legislation has provided the rise of laws that mandate states to provide quality education to English language learners. With these laws and initiatives arise issues, challenges, and benefits. In the case Meyer v. Nebraska (1923) Supreme Court Jude James McReynolds penned, “The protection of the United States Constitution extends to all, to those who speak other languages as well as to those born with English on the tongue" (Walsh, 2009). This legal decision provided parents with a constitutional right to influence and strengthen the education of their children. The law evolved as a result of the state of Nebraska preventing any curriculum that was not English based. This was later deemed unconstitutional and therefore the law evolved. The State of California in June of 1998 passed Proposition 227, also known as the English in Public Schools Initiative (1999). With the evolution of this legislation came a change in the way Limited English Proficient students were taught. This legislation not only decreased the amount of time these students stayed in special classes, it required California public schools to educate this population of students in special classes that are taught nearly in all English (1999). Drafted by Ron Unz...

Words: 917 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Assessment of Ell's

...ELL 240 Week 2 Assignment 1 Topic: Assessment and Placement of English Learners Thelma Bostic Michelle Schwab July 21, 2015 Assessment serves one main purposes when placing English language learners in the appropriate educational programming. There are different types of educational programming available but each program varies from state to state. The main purpose of the assessment is to make sure the English language learner is placed in the appropriate educational program. If the English language learner is placed in the wrong educational program it will be detrimental to the development of the English language learner. The educational program has to fit the needs of the English language learner so they are able to become proficient in English and to have academic success. There are several challenges that emerge when assessing English language learners. The first one I will discuss is the lack of common criteria for identifying English language learners and tracking their academic performance. According to the U.S. Department of Education, English language learners are defined as students between the ages of 3 and 21 enrolled in elementary or secondary education, often born outside of the U.S. or speaking a language other than English in their homes, and not having sufficient mastery of English to meet state standards and excel in an English language classroom (Short & Fitzsimmons 2007). States vary in how they use the Department of Education’s definition...

Words: 698 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Tesol

...Microsoft | The Power Relationship between Teachers and Learners in a TESOL context | [Type the document subtitle] | Student 9/6/2013 | Contents Introduction 2 Literature 3 Theories 3 Identity Formation of a Teacher 3 Language and Identity 4 Poststructuralist Perspectives on Identity 5 Positioning 7 Pronunciation factor of learners 7 Culturally relevant pedagogy 9 Conclusion 10 Works Cited 11 Introduction With rise in economic globalisation and information technology, the need for a common language became a necessity for all. It wasn’t possible to trade and have subsidiaries in foreign countries without being able to converse. Now, world has become a global village and IT has further reduced the regional barriers, that is why English came up as a common language to communicate. English became a global language and it became the necessity for every country to be equipped with English performance (Khamkhien, 2010). It has been seen that with the rise of globalization of English language teaching, the total of Non Native English Speaking (NNES) in the US who are graduated in the TESOL teaching programs have increased at a massive rate (Brain, 2004). From the last decade a considerable growth has been observed in the research of NNES and their experiences in school and society. Experts gave their views related to non-native English speaking and its advantages and drawbacks in TESOL, NNESs attitude and their behaviour in classroom, challenges...

Words: 5600 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

The English-Only Debate

...The English-Only Debate English as the national language has become one of the major issues facing citizens in the United States of America today. There have been many supporters in favor of English as the only recognized language spoken in America and there have also been many opponents. The debate has also driven many states to pass their own laws concerning the English language. There are many pros and cons to the debate, many states have passed their own laws regarding the education of English language learners, and I have my own views about the English-only debate. Supporters of the English-only movement feel very strongly about their views as English being the official language in America. While, opponents of the English-only movement feel just as strongly in their belief of America needing more than the English language. Supporters feel with English being the only language would unite us as a nation, clarifying that we are Americans. Supports also feel that making English the official language will give immigrants more opportunities to learn and speak the English language more fluently. Opponents of the debate feel that English-only would alienate immigrants that come to America by stifling communication within their daily life. Opponents also feel that school age children of immigrants will be at a disadvantage in school when learning academics if they cannot be taught in their native language. Also, a major issue within the debate is that non-English speaking...

Words: 889 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Research Method

...students perceiving themselves as failures in English usage” by Dr. Kasma Suwanarak School of Language and Communication, National Institute of Development Administration and Asst. Prof. Dr. Sureepong Phothongsunan Faculty of Arts, Assumption University _________________________________ Abstract The study investigates the attributions of English language learning of 125 Thai undergraduate students in the last year of their study in International Business Management and Hotel Management at a university in Thailand. According to the programme requirement, these students have to study at least five selective English courses after passing the three compulsory foundation English courses. In response to the closed and open-ended questionnaire, 32 students perceived themselves as failures in English language learning and usage though obtaining highly satisfactory grades in English. 20 students were then selected for the interview in order to further explore reasons they rendered as failed learners and their views on how to become better language learners and on the benefits of learning English. Qualitative in nature, an interpretive approach is employed, taking into account the subjective meaning which the participants convey. Research findings indicate that there are various grounds why the students discern themselves as unsuccessful English learners. Implications are drawn regarding English learning and teaching as well as learners’ achievement, and for the development of the curriculum...

Words: 6537 - Pages: 27

Premium Essay

English Language Learners

...March 17, 2012 Mary Beth Nipp, Instructor English language learners have been the talk for many years. They are coming to America each and every day. Most of them speak different languages as Spanish, French, and some already speak English. It has been debated and voted on in five voter driven states. The states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and Oregon. The voters have been asked to make decisions about the education of the English language learners (Mora, 2009). But only three states, California (1998), Massachusetts (2002), and Arizona (2000) passed the laws for English-only learners to be put in programs, and Colorado (2002) and Oregon (2008) rejected the initiatives of the ballot (Mora, 2009). The voters were in English only groups that were against having bilingual education for the students’ (Mora, 2009). The teachers were having a hard time in learning how to teach the English language learners. But in the 1960s, the federal and state governments have created new laws and policies that give the English language students’ the rights to a meaningful and equitable education (Mora, 2009). The government also provided funds and guidelines for a transitional bilingual education program for the English language learners to help them to become educated (Mora, 2009). In the Lau v. Nichols (1974), the courts decided to take affirmative steps to protect the civil rights of the English language learners in the school districts (Mora, 2009). Because the...

Words: 722 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Reviewing a Handbook English as a Second Language Guide to Implementation: Kindergarten to Grade 9 in Alberta

...[pic] NORTHCENTRAL UNIVERSITY ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET Student: Abir Aboutaha THIS FORM MUST BE COMPLETELY FILLED IN Follow these procedures: If requested by your instructor, please include an assignment cover sheet. This will become the first page of your assignment. In addition, your assignment header should include your last name, first initial, course code, dash, and assignment number. This should be left justified, with the page number right justified. For example: |DoeJXXX0000-1 1 | Save a copy of your assignments: You may need to re-submit an assignment at your instructor’s request. Make sure you save your files in accessible location. Academic integrity: All work submitted in each course must be your own original work. This includes all assignments, exams, term papers, and other projects required by your instructor. Knowingly submitting another person’s work as your own, without properly citing the source of the work, is considered plagiarism. This will result in an unsatisfactory grade for the work submitted or for the entire course. It may also result in academic dismissal from the University. | | | |ESL7001-8 |Dr. Anthony  Pellegrini  ...

Words: 2686 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Mr. Kamau

...Student’s Name: Student’s Number: Course Code: Course Name: Semester and Year: Due Date: Working With Students with a Language Impairment - Review The three articles identify various situations that English Learners face as their second language. The case studies reveal that a future speech and language pathologist ought to observe various issues when preparing for English learners such as the age, education level and knowledge of English language by the parents also the kind of a school and teachers available for an individual. The articles identified the gaps that exist in teaching English as the second language and ways of preventing difficulties in the future. One of the significant challenges includes background with no experience with The English language, therefore; the teacher is the first individual to introduce the new language to them. Poor education contributes to the ability of the child to respond to simple instructions from the tutor. Additionally, expression of ideas becomes negatively affected contributing to poor performance academically and predominantly for the English Language Learners. Another significant challenge is the identity security especially for the immigrants (Danzak, 2015). Some families fear for the discrimination and harsh treatment such as through race, class or gender. One of the motivating factors in the language learning process includes the application of a pragmatic assessment approach (Danzak & Silliman, 2005). The strategy...

Words: 393 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Elt System in Bangladesh

...examination which is the second public examination they face in the life. In the main stream system of formal education in Bangladesh English is introduced as a compulsory subject from class 1 and continues with the same status up to class 12. When HSC level is considered, English is taught here as a compulsory subject consisting of two papers each carrying one hundred marks To face the challenges of new century, the English textbook of class XI-XII has been rationally evaluated by foreign consultants and local experts. The evaluated and modified textbook was designed for introducing communicative techniques and for providing adequate practice in language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. But necessity of grammar can not be avoided in the context of Bangladesh. The purpose for designing H.S.C. syllabus is to make the learner competent in communication in the target language and which is similar to CLTA method in language teaching and learning. In CLTA usually a notional-functional syllabus is followed. In this type of syllabus, instruction is organized not in terms of grammatical structure, but in terms of ‘notions’ and ‘functions’. But grammar is also included by the experts. It is expected that the revised textbook will meet the real needs of the students and teachers and eventually results in more effective teaching and learning of English. In this study, HSC...

Words: 3549 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

English-Only Debate Paper

...Running head: ENGLISH-ONLY DEBATE PAPER English-Only Debate Paper Anne-Cecile Grundy Grand Canyon University ESL 523N September 26, 2010 Abstract English language learners are a very heterogeneous and complex group of children, with diverse gifts, educational needs, backgrounds, languages, and goals. They are the fastest growing section of the student population in schools and offer challenges and opportunities to the American education. In this study, the writer will explore the arguments of both sides of the English-only issue, which started decades ago and is still very active today. Emphasis will be placed on the comparison and contrast of the positions presented by advocates and opponents of the English-only debate and will be supported with state’ voter-driven initiatives and laws relating to English language learners. English-Only Debate Paper In the eighteen century, education in the United States was provided in different languages: German, Dutch, French or Swedish. After World War I, when German was a proscribed language, the American population started to think about an education solely in English. However, until 1968, the language policies were left to the discretion of the school, church, city, or state. At this time, the federal government dictated how the non-English-speaking students should be taught, and therefore, started a very controversial debate in the public education sector (Porter, 1998). “In September 1995, Representative John T. Doolittle...

Words: 2340 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

The Effect of Learning in Using Tongue to Second Language Acquisition

...MOTHER TONGUE TO SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION Every day language plays an important role in all activities in life. It is use for expressing one’s thought and ideas by modulating the sounds. It is a communication process of God’s gift to human to interact and to communicate meaningfully at various levels such as personal, social and intellectual. One of the most prominent and advance language that is use today is the English language that has a countless influence not only in means of communication but also in written text. English language comes to our aid in our commercial transactions throughout the globe such as business and education. In learning an English language is now in demand because it takes place in globalization and helpful in dealing with other people from a foreign country. Unlike other languages, it has a establish pattern, phonological constraint and grammatical structure. In a real sense, English is an international and recognizable as a language we use today. To begin, language of human has different varieties and acquisitions that can be learn through a process. Firstly, the first language acquisition (L1) is a language through with the child makes acquaintance with anything about it to communicate. Learning L1 which is also called as mother tongue takes place in every natural way and through proper imitation and exposition. On the contrary, second language acquisition (L2) which is also called as foreign language is a language skill in listening, speaking...

Words: 1939 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Second Language Acquisition Case Study

...According to Seville-Troike (2012), “Second Language Acquisition (SLA) refers both to the study of individual and groups who are learning a language subsequent to learning their first one as young children, and to the process of leaning that language” (p.2). She maintains that every subsequent language after the first language (L1) is referred to as the second language (L2) even though it might not necessarily be the second language learned. In the past, most SLA linguistic research that includes Spanish as an L1 or native language (NL) and English as an L2 or foreign language (FL) has been conducted predominately in the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. Very little research if any has been done in Puerto Rico in applied linguistics...

Words: 1034 - Pages: 5