Over the past twenty years, the population of English language learners (ELLs) has grown dramatically throughout the United States. ELLs are a diverse group whose needs may vary significantly. Learn more about the current ELL population from these fast facts compiled below!
FAQs
How many ELLs are there in the U.S.?
In 2021, there were more than 5.3 million ELLs in U.S. public schools, comprising more than 10% of students in U.S. public schools.
Where do ELLs live?
There are ELLs attending schools in all 50 states. You can see updated numbers on Migration Policy Institute's state map. ELLs are still heavily concentrated in states such as California, Arizona, Florida, Texas, New York, and Illinois. California has more than 1.1 million ELLs.
However, a number of states around the country, particularly in the Midwest and Southeast, have seen a dramatic increase in the numbers of ELL students enrolled statewide in the past decade. Growth of immigrant populations can be tied to any number of factors; in the Midwest, for example, industries such as meat-processing plants have served as a catalyst for rapid increases in local communities.
What languages do ELLs speak?
Most ELLs – more than 70% – speak Spanish. Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Portuguese are the next most common languages. However, as a group, ELLs speak more than 400 languages, and the most common languages spoken by students vary by state. For example, in Maine, Portugues and Somali are currently the most common languages.
For detailed information about languages by state, see our State Resources section.
Are most ELLs immigrants?
No. While some ELLs are immigrants and newcomers to this country, the majority of ELLs enrolled in U.S. schools are born in the U.S. and as such, they are American citizens.
What are some of ELLs’ strengths and challenges?
ELLs’ experiences, strengths, and challenges can vary dramatically, even within the same classroom or among students from the same country. This is why it's important to have collaborative systems in place that can evaluate each student's individual situation. Some of ELLs’ strengths may include:
- Strong literacy skills in their native language
- Academic skills and content area knowledge developed in their native language
- Strong family support
- Strong interest in education
- High levels of personal responsibility, resilience, resourcefulness, and commitment to success
- Practical skills developed through family responsibilities, jobs, and life experiences
Some of their challenges may include:
- Little or no formal schooling
- High levels of mobility in moving between schools (especially in the case of students from migrant farmworker families)
- Lack of access to effective, consistent language instruction, as in the case of students who have experienced bilingual education during one year and then English immersion in another
- Limited practice developing and using academic language
- Personal responsibilities that occupy hours during or outside of school, such as caring for siblings, working one or more jobs, and translating for families
- Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) that might include displacement, trauma, family separation, and hardship
How long does it take to learn English?
Most experts agree that it takes 5-7 years to acquire academic English, the language needed to succeed academically and professionally. Students may acquire social language (the language used on the playground or in the cafeteria) much more rapidly, but there is frequently a gap between social and academic English. In addition, newcomer ELLs may go through what is known as a “silent period,” in which they say very little but listen carefully to everything happening around them. Even though they are not speaking during this period, ELLs are still in an important stage of language development (Roseberry-McKibbin and Brice, n.d.).
Related Resources
- Who Are Multilingual Learners? (Colorín Colorado)
- ELL Information Center (Migration Policy Center)
- English Learner Accountability Hub (New America)
- The English-Learner Student Population, in Charts (Education Week)
- 10 Assumptions to Rethink About English Language Learners (Education Week)
- Dual Language Learner Reader Posts (10-part Series) (Ed Central)
- Infographics on the Nation's 5 Million English Language Learners: A Vast Pool Of Talent, At Risk (NPR)
- 6 facts about English language learners in U.S. public schools (Pew Research Center)
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