English Language Learners: Frequently Asked Questions

How large is the ELL population in the United States?

By 2000, there were almost 47 million English Language Learners in the United States—nearly 18% of the population.  It is estimated that this will increase to 40% by the year 2030.

What is the difference between EFL, ESL, and ELL?

An EFL student learns English in a country where English is not the primary language.  An ESL student learns English as a second language in a country where English is the primary language.  An ELL student is one whose level of English proficiency does not allow him or her to master an English-only curriculum.

How is English language learning related to NCLB?

NCLB requires adequately yearly progress across all student populations, which means that particular attention must be paid to the needs of ELLs, who may have particular difficulty demonstrating progress in an English-only curriculum.  ELLs are required to be tested in English within two years of entering a U.S. school.

What does it mean to make home-school literacy connections?

Forging home-school literacy connections means that a teacher, and ELL, and the ELL’s family work together to understand the literacy practices and expectations of both the home and school environments.  The goal is to find a way to blend these practices effectively and make them mutually-reinforcing.