Who are esl learners?
Many students who begin school in Australia come from a diverse range of backgrounds speaking languages other than English. According to the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development,
“A census conducted in 2006 revealed that 24% of Australians were born overseas with an additional 20% having either one or both parents born overseas. In Victorian government schools, almost 25% of the population is from language backgrounds other than English.” (Lewis and Lewis, 2011)
It is important to recognise that ESL learners come to school with existing language skills, as well as cognitive abilities, societal understandings and cultural knowledge. This cultural and linguistic diversity is significant and must be recognised as meaningful and advantageous to their English literacy development. It is also important to recognise as Kant and Piaget did, that all learners are “not blank slates” (tabula rasa) but that learners bring past experiences, emotional maturity, beliefs and cultural predispositions with them; thus guiding their learning and ultimately impacting on their development of knowledge. (Piaget, 1976)
AUS Vels clarifies ESL learners as learning a new language simultaneously with their first language. Their knowledge, understanding and skills of the English curriculum are built upon via the acquisition of their new language. They also recognise that ESL learners require additional time and support, along with informed teaching that explicitly addresses their language needs, and assessments that take into account their developing language proficiency. (Authority, 2013)
References
Authority, V. C. (2013). English - Diversity of Learners: English as an additional language or dialect. Retrieved 10 2013, from AUSvels: http://ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/English/Overview/Diversity-of-learners
Piaget, J. (1976). Piaget's Theory. In J. Piaget, & B. I. al. (Ed.), Piaget and His School: A Reader in Developmental Psychology (pp. pp 11-23). New York: Pringer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-46323-5_2
Lewis and Lewis. (2011). Students who have English as a second language (ESL). Retrieved 09 2013, from Lewis and Lewis: Psychological Consultancy Services: http://www.lewisandlewis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/fact_sheet_ESL.pdf
“A census conducted in 2006 revealed that 24% of Australians were born overseas with an additional 20% having either one or both parents born overseas. In Victorian government schools, almost 25% of the population is from language backgrounds other than English.” (Lewis and Lewis, 2011)
It is important to recognise that ESL learners come to school with existing language skills, as well as cognitive abilities, societal understandings and cultural knowledge. This cultural and linguistic diversity is significant and must be recognised as meaningful and advantageous to their English literacy development. It is also important to recognise as Kant and Piaget did, that all learners are “not blank slates” (tabula rasa) but that learners bring past experiences, emotional maturity, beliefs and cultural predispositions with them; thus guiding their learning and ultimately impacting on their development of knowledge. (Piaget, 1976)
AUS Vels clarifies ESL learners as learning a new language simultaneously with their first language. Their knowledge, understanding and skills of the English curriculum are built upon via the acquisition of their new language. They also recognise that ESL learners require additional time and support, along with informed teaching that explicitly addresses their language needs, and assessments that take into account their developing language proficiency. (Authority, 2013)
References
Authority, V. C. (2013). English - Diversity of Learners: English as an additional language or dialect. Retrieved 10 2013, from AUSvels: http://ausvels.vcaa.vic.edu.au/English/Overview/Diversity-of-learners
Piaget, J. (1976). Piaget's Theory. In J. Piaget, & B. I. al. (Ed.), Piaget and His School: A Reader in Developmental Psychology (pp. pp 11-23). New York: Pringer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-46323-5_2
Lewis and Lewis. (2011). Students who have English as a second language (ESL). Retrieved 09 2013, from Lewis and Lewis: Psychological Consultancy Services: http://www.lewisandlewis.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/fact_sheet_ESL.pdf