English Language Learners

1. Academic vs. Social Language

1.1. Social language is used for survival.

1.1.1. Academic language must be acquired and mastered for success.

1.1.2. Should social language be taught first, or should academic language be our first priority?

2. Unfair Testing Expectations

2.1. What are realistic expectations for new English speakers?

2.1.1. Students failure rates often discourage students and make them feel inferior to others,

2.1.1.1. All students do not learn by the same means or rate.

3. First Language Acquisition

3.1. Are English only programs better?

3.2. Is part of primary cognitive development.

3.2.1. Students subconsciously transfer certain characteristics of their first language to new language.

4. Can we use a student's native language to bridge the gaps in learning?