English as a Second Language
“Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free...” one of America’s oldest monuments reads like a welcome mat to those from other countries. From Columbus’s first journey to America in 1402 the United States has a foundation built by individuals seeking refuge and opportunity from other lands. The US bears a long history of immigration and welcomes a promising future to all nationalities entering our country. In 2011, the Department of Homeland Security reported 1,042,626 immigrants obtained rights to reside in our country. As the rise in immigration continues so has the emphasize of importance on English as a second language.
With a majority of those immigrating into our country being families, there is a significant focus on the success of these children in the classroom. As the immigrant population grows across the United States, so does the immigrant population of North Carolina. The North Carolina Public School System is taking great stride in ensuring the best education opportunities for these Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. Placing such students in a English as a Second Language (ESL) category North Carolina schools are utilizing strategies and methods to aid in the success for LEP students.
With a majority of those immigrating into our country being families, there is a significant focus on the success of these children in the classroom. As the immigrant population grows across the United States, so does the immigrant population of North Carolina. The North Carolina Public School System is taking great stride in ensuring the best education opportunities for these Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. Placing such students in a English as a Second Language (ESL) category North Carolina schools are utilizing strategies and methods to aid in the success for LEP students.
What Encompasses an ESL Student?
In order to successfully motivate and educate students in todays classroom we must first understand exactly what encompasses an ESL student. ESL “refers to teaching English to a person whose native or primary language is one other than English” (Beam, 2012). With todays population constantly increasing United States public schools must make the proper precautions and steps to maintain proficiency for each student. “According to the US Department of Education, in 2006, there were approximately 5.4 million ESL students in the US alone and the number is increasing. ESL or LEP students are US fastest-growing population and are expected to make up one out of every four students by 2025" (Colby, 2006). Educators must be able to target the language learning needs of individual students in their classrooms to ensure that these ESL students progress toward full English language proficiency