Linguistic Education as a Tool for ELLs

ELL students, or English Language Learners, are students who are learning English as a second language while also learning academic content in English. They encompass a range of children, from recent immigrants to students born in the US who are still developing their English proficiency. These students need support to learn English while also keeping up with their academic studies.

ELLs are students who come from homes where a language other than English is spoken and require support to learn English and participate fully in school. These children can have varying levels of English proficiency, ranging from little to no English knowledge to a strong foundation in their native language while simultaneously learning English. 

English Language Learners face significant academic challenges, often experiencing lower test scores, higher dropout rates, and limited access to advanced academic opportunities compared to their English-proficient peers. These challenges stem from factors like language proficiency barriers, cultural differences, and potential gaps in resources and teacher training.

Major causes of this educational disadvantage include limited vocabulary, grammatical errors, and difficulty understanding complex language that can hinder comprehension and expression. Currently, the availability of culturally and linguistically appropriate instructional materials for ELLs is limited, forcing teachers to rely on generic resources or adapt materials intended for English-only learners. 

Linguistic education is an excellent way to make the English language more accessible to students who are non-native speakers and English learners because it serves to explain the complexities of English in a way that normal ELA education can’t always do. A deeper understanding of English structure helps ELLs learn the language more effectively, leading to faster acquisition of vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. By understanding how language works, ELLs can better comprehend both spoken and written English, leading to improved academic performance in all subjects. As these students grasp the nuances of English, they can become more confident in their ability to communicate and participate in classroom activities, therefore improving academic outcomes.

Exploring English linguistically can also reduce common feelings of alienation and isolation that English-learning students often feel in classrooms as they try to adapt to a language that doesn’t feel like their own. A part of spelling bee and linguistic education programs (including Kalvi’s own) focuses on incorporating languages spoken by the students themselves within the lesson. For example, in Kalvi’s Moroccan programs, we always include dedicated time to dive into French and Arabic influences on English, along with the resulting words and patterns, in order to better explain such rules to students who are more familiar with those languages than English.