An ESL course is designed to help students who want to learn English as a second, third, or in some cases, even fourth language. These classes are taught by teachers, often bilingual, who help students develop their abilities:
- speaking
- writing
- reading and listening
Approximately one in five children in the United States speaks a language other than English at home, and about half of them are not yet considered proficient in English. Students with a lower level of English are referred to school (UPK) with an extended level of English (ESL).
When these students master English, they are “reclassified” and no longer receive specific services to support their language development. Research has shown that for most students, mastering a second language takes approximately four to seven years.
Students who do not master English during this time, usually by the final years of elementary school, may never succeed. Those who do not master the language and remain in ESL classes generally perform worse on school tests and graduate from high school less often than their English-speaking peers.
ESL/English As a Second Language
