English-Language Learner

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the situation in the United States for English-language learner (ELL) and English as a second language (ESL) students. It particularly describes the effects of a lack of primary English language skills on the students in primary and secondary grades. It also discusses the effects of these students receiving much of their instruction from content-area teachers or para-educators. The paper offers brief recommendations to improve the situation for ESL and ELL students.

From the Paper:

"As a result of those policies and practices, many ELLs receive much of their instruction from content-area teachers or para-educators who have not had appropriate preparation or professional development to address their second-language development needs or to make content instruction comprehensible. This situation hinders their academic success. Not only do teachers need more preparation to work with ELLs but they also need to know the type of instruction that is most effective for these students, a population whose growing numbers requires that educators take a serious look at their instructional programs. Therefore, it is evident that the best course of action is preparation. With proper preparation and understanding, teachers will be better suited to aid ELLs/ESL's. (Echevarria, Short & Powers, 2006)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Arriaza, G. (1997). Grace under Pressure: Immigrant Families and the Nation-State. Social Justice, 24(2), 6+.
• Borko, H. (2004). Professional development and teacher learning: Mapping the terrain. Educational Researcher, 33, 3-15.
• California Department of Education, Educational Demographics Unit. (2004). Statewide Stanford 9 test results for reading: Number of students tested and percent scoring at or above the 50th percentile ranking (NPR). Retrieved January 5, 2007, from http://www.cde.ca.gov/dataquest/
• Echevarria, J., Short, D., & Powers, K. (2006). School Reform and Standards-Based Education: A Model for English-Language Learners. The Journal of Educational Research, 99(4), 195+.
• Harry, B. (1992). Making Sense of Disability: Low-Income, Puerto Rican Parents' Theories of the Problem. Exceptional Children, 59(1), 27+.

More papers on English-Language Learner:

• Research Paper # 109935 : "NCLB and English Language Learners"
• Essay # 72126 : "English Language Learners"
• Research Paper # 93770 : "English Language Learners (ELLs)"

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