The ABC's of ESOL: An Overview of English as a Second Language for Non-Foreign Language Teachers

Although the United States has always been a linguistically diverse country, during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the issue of educating students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) has gained heightened attention and importance due to increasing demographic, judicial, political, and ed...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author Grubbs, Scott T
Format Report
LanguageEnglish
Published 2003
Subjects
Cultural Differences
Culturally Relevant Education
Educational Legislation
Elementary Secondary Education
English (Second Language)
Federal Legislation
Higher Education
Limited English Speaking
Student Diversity
Teaching Methods
Total Physical Response
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Summary:Although the United States has always been a linguistically diverse country, during the late 20th and early 21st centuries, the issue of educating students with Limited English Proficiency (LEP) has gained heightened attention and importance due to increasing demographic, judicial, political, and educational concerns. Many non-foreign language teachers who are facing the prospect of educating LEP students feel apprehensive due to their lack of preparation and training in the area. This paper examines these issues, focusing on: legal and legislative precedence for educating LEP students; challenges in working with LEP students; considerations for teachers of LEP students; and using total physical response and the natural approach in teaching LEP students. The paper concludes that the world of the 21st century will continue to change the notion of the United States as a homogeneous, monolingual culture, and if schools are a reflection of society, then delivering quality instruction in increasingly diverse classrooms is a reality with which teachers must come to terms. (Contains 19 references.) (SM)