These students and their parents know that English is the key to economic success and cultural incorporation into America. Students are quick to realize that English is the currency needed for social interaction, school success, achievement and recognition, and a fair chance at good jobs. Parents expect school to teach English and their children to learn it well. The Language Language problems are not the only ones associated with school performance. ESL programs address the language issue, but cannot always deal with non linguistic factors.
Achievement depends on many factors.
A solid ESL program is only one of them. It is the role of the schools to teach English. This is an equity and and educational obligation. To expect the child to know the language before showing up at the school is to make a mockery of public education because classroom work will be incomprehensible if the student does not understand the language used. The limited English proficient student must learn both conversational and academic English.