Myth 2
All EL students are speakers of Spanish
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Myth 2: All EL students are speakers of Spanish: FALSE!
Myth 2: All EL students are speakers of Spanish: FALSE!
Although Spanish is the most widely spoken language of EL students, there are approximately 150 languages in public school EL populations. Regardless of what language EL students speak, the systematic structure of teaching English remains the same.
There are an estimated 4.8 million EL students in K-12 public schools
There are an estimated 4.8 million EL students in K-12 public schools
The top 5 languages spoken in U.S. public schools are: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, English and Vietnamese.
The top 5 languages spoken in U.S. public schools are: Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, English and Vietnamese.
Within these languages, there are a various dialects and cultural differences that make each variance extremely unique.
Within these languages, there are a various dialects and cultural differences that make each variance extremely unique.
It is critical for educators to celebrate these differences and help students and families feel that their linguistic and cultural backgrounds are valued as they strive to acquire their new language of English.
It is critical for educators to celebrate these differences and help students and families feel that their linguistic and cultural backgrounds are valued as they strive to acquire their new language of English.
References:
Breiseth, L. (2020, March 5). What you need to know about ells: Fast facts. ColorĂn Colorado. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.colorincolorado.org/article/what-you-need-know-about-ells-fast-facts.
Fenner, D. S., Snyder, S., & Breiseth, L. (2017). Unlocking English learners' potential: Strategies for making content accessible. Corwin, a SAGE Company.
Mitchell, C. (2021, October 28). U.S. schools see surge in number of arabic- and Chinese-speaking English-learners. Education Week. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/u-s-schools-see-surge-in-number-of-arabic-and-chinese-speaking-english-learners/2020/01.
Contributor: Holly Jablonski
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