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ESL (English as a Second Language programs) aim to teach English to non-native speakers in an English speaking environment.

The native language is often regarded as a barrier to overcome, and the program focuses on assimilation. ESL students are more likely to struggle in non-English academic fields at first, due to the fact that their native language isn't used to educate them, but they will learn English faster due to being fully dependent on learning it. (Opposed to bilingual education, which has better academic results.)

Bilingual vs. ESL – key insights and differences. 5 Minute English. (n.d.). https://5minuteenglish.com/education/bilingual-vs-esl/

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A strategy that I believe is crucial to all ESL programs would be having students complete frequent English diagnostic assessments (for example, biweekly ones.) I say this because it's important to understand each students' individual needs and weaknesses, so that reviews and lessons can be tailored around them. It helps the teacher dedicate resources and time more effectively, as well as ensure the students that their needs are being listened to, which increases motivation.

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In the Teaching Channel video "Introducing and Engaging New Vocabulary with English Learners," the educator displays different scene pictures on the whiteboard. He then tells his ESL program students to collaborate with one another, and describe in English what they were seeing. I find this to be an extremely immersive strategy.

Teaching Channel. (n.d.). Gamifying the Lesson for English Learners. United States.

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PURPOSE

The purpose of ESL programs is to assist non-native English speakers with communication, including reading, speaking, and writing skills. It's an intensive program dedicated to promoting academic participation equity. These programs are free-of-charge for students in United States public schools.

FORMAT

According to the Texas English of Second Language Framework, the goal of ESL framework is to, "provide a comprehensive framework that would positively impact the academic achievement of emergent bilingual students in Texas by developing a systemic ESL Framework." It does this through two different types of ESL program models, Pull-Out and Content-Based.

1. Pull-Out: Designed to assist ESL students with English/Language arts specifically, pulls students out of other classrooms.

2. Content-Based: Designed to help ESL students across multiple content areas, like math and science. ESL certified teachers provide English instruction.

QUALIFICATIONS

1. All Texas public schools with even one emergent bilingual student are required to provide an ESL program.

2. ESL program educators must meet an array of standards in order to teach, including:

Fully understands fundamental English language concepts/conventions

Has knowledge of ESL foundations, including the understanding of how to appropriately promote a multilingual/multicultural learning environment

Understands how to implement developmentally appropriate ESL teaching methods

Recognizes outside factors/influences that may affect ESL students' learning

Understands both informal and formal assessment procedures, and can use assessment results to adapt instruction.

Serves as an advocate for ESL students, and encourages community/family involvement in the students' education.

Understands the processes of FLA and SLA language acquisition.

3. ESL educators undergo more specific, specialized training. They often provide support services such as tutoring and language labs.

LENGTH OF INSTRUCTION

ESL program models can be attended from prekindergarten to 12th grade.

Texas English as a Second Language Framework. English Learner Portal-ESL Framework Home. (n.d.). https://www.txel.org/txeslf

TxESLF Levers: Program Model and Design . English Learner Portal-ESL framework lever 2. (n.d.). https://www.txel.org/txeslf/framework2/

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English Learner Portal-ESL Framework Lever 2

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Supporting Emergent Bilingual Students in Texas

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Gamifying ESL program lessons encourages student engagement, as exemplified by many teachers within the Teaching Channel library (ex: "Gamifying the Lesson for English Learners.") When I was in middle and high school, my second language teachers used quiz games such as Kahoot and Gimkit, and it always managed to get students interested in retaining information.

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1. Make a point to educate parents on the U.S. school system, including what their rights are regarding supplementary services, translated materials and interpreters, the child's ELL curriculum, and other community-offered services they may have questions about. By doing this, a teacher can engage the families into the school community.

2. Having school events specifically for Spanish-speaking parents would be extremely beneficial, especially for ESL students and Texas schools. With a bilingual translator involved, Spanish-speaking families can feel welcomed and involved with the community despite the usual language barriers.

3. Occasional bilingual family volunteer opportunities would be a nice way to get families involved in ESL programs. Reading books aloud, helping with administrating field trips, and tutoring come to mind, all of these things help guardians get invested in their child's ESL education.

4. Home visits are a great way for teachers to develop trust and communication with their students' families. By conversating with families directly about the child's progress and learning goals, teachers and families can hear one another's input and try to accommodate it. For example, a teacher could tell a parent during a home visit that their child struggles with pronunciation, and that she may need to practice at home. The parent can then facilitate said practice.

5. Introducing parents to adult-oriented programs for English language learners is a good way to encourage learning opportunities that may be beneficial to them. These resources are often offered at community colleges, libraries, and local community organizations.

Clindstrom. (2019, December 20). Communicating important information with Ell Families: Strategies for

Success. Colorín Colorado. https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/communicating-important-information-ell-families-strategies-success

How to best utilize your classroom parent volunteers. Teaching with a Mountain View. (2024, July 17). https://teachingwithamountainview.com/classroom-parent-volunteers/

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Classroom Strategies: Always Pair Written Instruction with Verbal Instruction, and Vice Versa

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Classroom Strategies: Always Pair Written Instruction with Verbal Instruction, and Vice Versa

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Because ESL students may have a harder time processing verbal language, written language should accompany it during lessons. On the same note, when using videos as a teaching tool, having subtitles is a great way to help students digest the information.

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Classroom Strategies: Focus on incorporating culturally responsive content 

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Classroom Strategies: Focus on incorporating culturally responsive content 

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ESL programs focus on millions of students with a variety of primary languages and ethnicities, meaning ESL program classrooms have more diverse cultural backgrounds to consider than regular classrooms. This in mind, it's important to celebrate different cultural backgrounds by incorporating culturally responsive content into the curriculum. This helps the students find the material more relevant and engaging, which is essential to reassuring communication-disadvantaged students that their experiences matter.