Teaching English Language Learners: What the Research Does—and Does Not—Say

Author: Goldenberg, C.
Publisher: American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Publication Date: 2008, Summer
Journal: American Educator
Journal Volume: 32(2)
Pages: 8-23, 42-44
Full text available online at: http://www.aft.org/pubs-reports/american_educator/issues/summer08/goldenberg.pdf

Abstract (written by WestEd)

This article summarizes the key findings of the reviews of the research on educating English learners by the National Literacy Panel (NLP) and the Center for Research on Diversity, Education, and Excellence (CREDE). The author first provides demographic data on English learners and charts their growth in population, especially in the Midwest and upper South. He then supplies statistics on language background and information about the students' instructional environments. Despite the diversity of English learners' identities and experiences, they share one important common factor: a tendency towards low academic achievement. The following key findings must provide a foundation for teaching English learners:

• Teaching students to read in their first language promotes higher levels of reading achievement in English.
  
• What we know about good instruction and curriculum in general holds true for English learners as well.
  
• When instructing English learners in English, teachers must modify instruction to take into account students' language limitations.

• Instructional Modifications for English Language Learners
  The author evaluates the usefulness of eight specific instructional modifications based on the above research studies.
  
• Critical Questions: What the Research Does Not Say—Yet
  This sidebar addresses common issues about which educators are uncertain, including English immersion, primary language instruction, and oral language development.
  
• Two Classroom Views
  This sidebar presents reports from a teacher in a bilingual "dual-immersion" classroom and one in a sheltered classroom where English is the primary language of instruction. Both teachers note that collaboration among staff is a critical element in student success.
  
• Colorín Colorado
  This research-based website for teachers and parents offers educators a variety of practical resources. To go to the site, click on http://www.ColorinColorado.org.