About 10 percent of public school students in the United States are English language learners. In some states, that number is much higher.bilingual teacher qualification
In California, for example, 38 percent of students enter the public school system as English learners. Overall, about 21 percent of California public school students are considered English learners.
For years, these students had few chances to receive a bilingual education or take special classes for English learners. In 1998, California voters passed a measure that ended many programs for English language learners, in favor of English-only education. The measure was known as Proposition 227, or the “English in Public Schools” measure.In November 2016, that measure was overturned. Today, California public schools are working to bring in and expand bilingual offerings.
However, progress has been slow. School systems across the state say they simply do not have enough qualified, bilingual educators to serve their students.
California is not alone in this struggle. Thirty other states and the District of Columbia report shortages of teachers in the areas of bilingual instruction and English as a Second Language.
Observers fear a continued shortage will further harm English learners’ chances for a meaningful education.But there are national and local efforts underway to find solutions. We talk about those today.
First, we will discuss the population involved.America’s English language learnersAn estimated five million students in the country are considered English language learners, or ELLs. Such students are the fast-growing group in U.S. public schools.
Last month, the Council of Great City Schools published its latest findings on English learners. The report looked at several conditions for English learners attending public schools in 74 major U.S. cities.
In its report, the council defines English learners as between the ages of 3 and 21; whose native language is not English; and whose difficulties in reading, speaking and understanding English are enough to keep them from having success in the classroom.The most commonly spoken languages among ELLs in America are Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Haitian Creole and Vietnamese. Speakers of those five languages make up 92 percent of all ELLs included in the council’s report.