Who Are English Language Learners?
To put it simply, English Language learners are people who have a native language other than English. They speak other languages at home with their families and do not get many chances to practice their English. According to Supporting ESL Students (2009), their English language levels prevent them from being able to effectively participate in Alberta schools.
As with any student, ELL students are going to vary in their learning abilities (Government of Alberta; 2009). Some may have a strong aptitude for language meaning they will easily pick up on English. This is a skill which cannot be learned. Others may have more exposure to the language in their daily lives than others. A student who is in an all English classroom and in an English speaking community is more likely to develop quickly than one who sticks with others who speak their native language most often. The socioeconomic status of students may also affect their language level. Finally, the age at which a student begins learning a new language greatly affects how quickly it will be learned. Children of a younger age are much more likely to grow in a short period of time than those who begin later in life.
ELL or ESL students may come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some may be from the English speaking country itself and were simply raised in another language in a community with the same common culture. Others may have come from other countries as immigrants or as refugees (which this website is going to focus a little more on). These students are more likely to have gaps in schooling and may have more difficulties adapting to the culture of the school .
It is important to understand the differences between refugees and immigrants. First of all, immigrants are those who expected and planned to move into a new country (Education B. C., 2009). They have set their affairs in order and there is not a large sense of loss. In this case, schooling is more likely to have occurred in previous years and continues uninterrupted. Finally, they are still in contact with family left behind and may return for visits.
Refugees, on the other hand, are people who have left their home countries in a hurry due to civil unrest, wars, or many other reasons (Education B. C., 2009. They may have had little to no schooling and they may be feeling a large sense of loss after a big upheaval. They are more likely to experience strong culture shock as well as confusion and uncertainty. Returning home is not an option for many and some never hear from their family members in their home countries again.
Resources:
Alberta Education. (2009). Supporting English as a Second Language Students: Promising ESL Strategies in Alberta. Edmonton: Alberta Education Curriculum Sector: Arts, Communications and Citizenship.
Alberta Education. (2009). Working with Young Children Who Are Learning English as a New Language. Edmonton: Alberta Education Early Learning Branch.
British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2009, October). Students from Refugee Backgrounds: A Guide for Teachers and Schools. Retrieved from www.bced.gov.bc.ca.
ELL or ESL students may come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some may be from the English speaking country itself and were simply raised in another language in a community with the same common culture. Others may have come from other countries as immigrants or as refugees (which this website is going to focus a little more on). These students are more likely to have gaps in schooling and may have more difficulties adapting to the culture of the school .
It is important to understand the differences between refugees and immigrants. First of all, immigrants are those who expected and planned to move into a new country (Education B. C., 2009). They have set their affairs in order and there is not a large sense of loss. In this case, schooling is more likely to have occurred in previous years and continues uninterrupted. Finally, they are still in contact with family left behind and may return for visits.
Refugees, on the other hand, are people who have left their home countries in a hurry due to civil unrest, wars, or many other reasons (Education B. C., 2009. They may have had little to no schooling and they may be feeling a large sense of loss after a big upheaval. They are more likely to experience strong culture shock as well as confusion and uncertainty. Returning home is not an option for many and some never hear from their family members in their home countries again.
Resources:
Alberta Education. (2009). Supporting English as a Second Language Students: Promising ESL Strategies in Alberta. Edmonton: Alberta Education Curriculum Sector: Arts, Communications and Citizenship.
Alberta Education. (2009). Working with Young Children Who Are Learning English as a New Language. Edmonton: Alberta Education Early Learning Branch.
British Columbia Ministry of Education. (2009, October). Students from Refugee Backgrounds: A Guide for Teachers and Schools. Retrieved from www.bced.gov.bc.ca.