What is ESL
English as a Second Language — educational programs designed to help non-native English speakers develop language proficiency.
ESL, or English as a Second Language, refers to educational programs and instruction specifically designed for students whose primary or home language is not English. ESL programs aim to develop English language proficiency — including speaking, listening, reading, and writing — so that students can participate fully in academic and social settings.
Who Is ESL For?
ESL services are provided to students identified as English Language Learners (ELLs) — students who come from homes where a language other than English is spoken and who have not yet developed full academic proficiency in English. In the United States, students are identified through home language surveys and proficiency assessments.
Types of ESL Programs
- Pull-out ESL — Students leave their regular classroom for dedicated English language instruction with a specialist
- Push-in ESL — An ESL teacher co-teaches in the general education classroom
- Sheltered Instruction — Content-area instruction delivered in English with supports for language learners
- Dual Language / Bilingual Programs — Instruction delivered in both English and a students' native language
ESL vs. ELL vs. EFL
- ESL (English as a Second Language) — Used in English-speaking countries where students are learning English in an immersive environment
- ELL (English Language Learner) — The term used for the student population being served
- EFL (English as a Foreign Language) — Used when English is taught in non-English-speaking countries
Legal Protections for ELL Students
Under federal law, school districts receiving federal funding are required to provide appropriate language instruction to ELL students. The Supreme Court's 1974 Lau v. Nichols ruling and Title III of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) establish these obligations.
Exiting ESL Services
Students exit ESL programs once they demonstrate English proficiency as measured by standardized assessments such as the WIDA ACCESS test. Even after exiting, students may be monitored for several years to ensure academic success.