ELL News Headlines

A short task at the beginning of class can capture students’ attention and expand their understanding of the topics they’re studying.

New York City's Department of Youth and Community Development earlier this year adjusted the eligibility criteria for $8.3 million in ESOL contracts to prioritize areas where the U.S. Census shows low English proficiency and high poverty rates — locking some long-time providers out of funding. But city funding has yet to roll out to the two dozen organizations selected to provide ESOL and adult literacy classes in those priority areas. And because previous contracts with DYCD ended June 30, thousands of students are now left with few places to turn to continue their English studies in the meantime.

These tips from an experienced English language learning specialist can help you prepare for your first year.

The Karen language hasn’t been taught in schools anywhere in the world since the 1960s in Burma. The St. Paul public schools in Minnesota, however, have set out to change that. Thanks to the state’s seal of biliteracy program, the district worked to develop a Karen language assessment that allows students to earn the distinction on their high school diploma that shows they’re proficient in English and at least one other world language. And the district created a Karen-language program to help students earn higher levels of the seal.

This collection includes a wide range of graphic novels for K-12 students.

These strategies can help teachers commit students’ names to memory, even in large classes.

Parents know they should talk and read to their young children. Dozens of nonprofit organizations have promoted the research evidence that it will help their children do better in school. But the focus has been on improving literacy. Are there similar things that parents can do with their children to lay the foundation for success in math? 

State departments of education play a key role in providing resources for schools so they can better serve English learners with disabilities. However, an analysis of states’ public-facing documents with information about serving this student population found great variation in the types of documentation state agencies offer districts and communities.

History, animals, and folklore are part of this collection of Spanish-language nonfiction titles for young readers.

When students didn’t come back to Maple Elementary after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, Niki Espinoza, the school’s community school coordinator, noticed right away. “I live in the Shafter community, the community that I serve. I see these children out with their parents in the market, at recreational sports, games, at high school sports games and out at restaurants,” she said, emphasizing that the school community is small and close-knit. Situated in a rural district in California with nearly 300 students, Maple Elementary faced the concerning reality that nearly a third of their students were becoming chronically absent.