What is English as a Second Language (ESL)?
ESL assistance is provided to students whose "use of English is sufficiently different from standard English to prevent reaching his or her potential." Many students learning English speak it quite fluently and seem to be proficient. School, however, demands a more sophisticated variety of English, both read and written. Thus, even fluent speakers could require ESL to provide them with the appropriate language experience that is unavailable outside the classroom. ESL is a transitional service rather than a subject. Students are in the process of learning the language of instruction and in many cases, the content matter of subjects appropriate to their grade level. Thus ESL does not have a specific curriculum. The provincial curriculum forms the basis of a great deal of the instruction and is used to teach English as well as individual subject areas. It is the methodology, the focus, and the level of engagement with the curriculum that differentiates ESL services from other school activities.
Who are the students in ESL?
Nearly 10 per cent of the British Columbia school population is designated as ESL. These students come from a great diversity of backgrounds. Most are recent immigrants to British Columbia. Some are Canadian-born but have not had the opportunity to learn English before entering the primary grades. The majority of ESL students have a well-developed language system and have had similar schooling to that of British Columbia-born students. A small number, because of previous experiences, are in need of basic support such as literacy training, academic upgrading, and trauma counselling.
Teachers may have ESL students at any level in their classes. Many ESL students are placed in subject area classes primarily for the purpose of contact with English-speaking peers and experience with the subject and language. Other ESL students are wholly integrated into subject areas. A successful integration takes place when the student has reached a level of English proficiency and background knowledge in a subject to be successful with a minimum of extra support.
How Can ESL Students Learn Best?
The guiding principle for ESL support is the provision of a learning environment where the language and the concepts can be understood by the students.
Good practices to enhance the learning of students include:
This summary is drawn from Supporting Learners of English; Information for School and District Administrators, RB0032, 1993, and ESL Policy Discussion Paper (Draft), Social Equity Branch, December 1994.
Province of British Columbia
Ministry of Education
Curriculum Branch
© 1995 Copyright
Maintained by: Fine Arts Coordinator
Revised: November 8, 1995
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