Who are ELLs?

Who are ELLs?

In the United States, English language learners live in all 50 states and speak more than 150 different native languages. However, more than 70% of ELLs in the United States claim Spanish as their mother tongue, with the majority of those students being US-born.

By the Numbers

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), as of the 2014-15 academic year, around 4.6 million students (9.4% of students) in the US were classified as English language learners. The ELL population is also the fastest growing segment of our student population in the United States. In the last decade, the number of ELLs enrolled in public schools in the US has grown by 60%, while the rest of the student population has shown 7% growth (Grantmakers for Education, 2013).

ELLs in Maryland

As of the 2012-13 school year, Maryland's schools were home to more than 59,000 English language learners (ELLs), which marks a 120% increase from the 2002-2003 school year (Migration Policy Institute, 2015). Currently, the most common five languages spoken by ELLs in Maryland are Spanish, French, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Amharic.

ELLs in PGCPS

As of 2020, Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS) is home to over 30,000 English Language Learners. These students are diverse, coming from 169 different countries and speaking 149 different languages, with the majority being Spanish-speaking.