English Learners

Learn more about students whose first language is not English, also referred to as students learning English as a second language

Webinars

Webinars on English Learners
Browse and register for free professional development on students learning English as a second language, dual-language instruction, and bilingual education.

Featured Special Reports

Quality Counts Special Report Quality Counts 2009: Portrait of a Population
How English-Language Learners Are Putting Schools to the Test
January 8, 2009
Special Report Bilingual Education (Special Report, 1987)
Two decades after its revival in the United States, bilingual education has established itself as a valid pedagogical approach.
April 1, 1987
Christian Hernandez points to letters in English as teacher Vanessa Mendoza watches at the Peck Early Childhood Center. His class is among 60 across Chicago that already offer bilingual instruction.
Christian Hernandez points to letters in English as teacher Vanessa Mendoza watches at the Peck Early Childhood Center. His class is among 60 across Chicago that already offer bilingual instruction.
John Zich for Education Week
  • The Latest

    English Learners K-12 Essentials Forum Supporting English Learners in Today’s Classrooms: Pathways to Success 
    Join this free virtual event to get insights, strategies, and solutions to ensure equity and opportunity for English Learners.
    October 16, 2025
    Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
    Second grade students raise their hands in Dalia Gerardo's classroom at West Elementary, in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. Gerardo is a bilingual educator. Experts say Hispanic educators with bilingual certification can boost English learners' academic performance.
    Tamika Moore for Education Week
    English Learners Why Bilingual Hispanic Teachers Make a Big Difference for English Learners
    A new study found benefits from hiring teachers of color with language certifications.
    Ileana Najarro, October 14, 2025
    3 min read
    Students in the dual language immersion program at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025.
    A student writes in a workbook during a dual language immersion class at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. Ensemble Learning collaborated with the Texas Education Agency to offer professional development for dual-language teachers.
    Courtney Pedroza for Education Week
    English Learners In Their Own Words How Professional Development Bolstered a Dual-Language Program
    A Texas program offers lessons on the preparation classroom educators need to promote language development.
    Jennifer Vilcarino, October 10, 2025
    6 min read
    New teacher participants at the summer institute participate in a professional development activity in June 2025 in Washington.
    New teacher participants at the summer institute engage in a professional development activity in June 2025 in Washington. The training is funded by a National Professional Development grant, the fate of which is now in limbo as the Trump administration cuts some of these programs.
    Courtesy of Laureen Avery
    English Learners Trump Admin. Cuts Some Teacher-Training Grants for English Learners
    The Trump administration has cut funding for some English learner PD grants, sparking confusion and prompting appeals.
    Ileana Najarro, September 25, 2025
    6 min read
    Eric Marquez, a global history teacher at ELLIS Preparatory Academy, stands for a portrait at Ewen Park in the Marble Hill neighborhood of New York City on Sept. 18, 2025.
    Eric Marquez, a global history teacher at ELLIS Preparatory Academy, stands for a portrait at Ewen Park in the Marble Hill neighborhood of New York City on Sept. 18, 2025. Immigration officers detained one of his students at a routine court hearing in May.
    Mostafa Bassim for Education Week
    English Learners Q&A 'Still Connected': How This School Supports a Student in Immigration Detention
    Immigration officers detained New York City student Dylan Lopez Contreras in May.
    Ileana Najarro, September 22, 2025
    4 min read
    Brenda Amparan leads her first graders in Spanish at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025.
    Brenda Amparan leads her first graders in Spanish at Pueblo Elementary School in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Sept. 16, 2025. Dual-language programs benefit all students, but there is an accessibility issue for English learners.
    Courtney Pedroza for Education Week
    English Learners Who Are Dual-Language Immersion Programs Really For?
    The answer is all students, but English learners face accessibility barriers.
    Jennifer Vilcarino, September 22, 2025
    8 min read
    Diana Oviedo-Holguin teaches a first grade English learner class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2025.
    Diana Oviedo-Holguin teaches a first grade English learner class at Heritage Elementary School in San Antonio, Texas, on Sept. 3, 2025.
    Noah Devereaux for Education Week
    Special Report How Educators Are Boosting Outcomes for English Learners Amid Challenges
    Explore how schools and states are trying to support English learners with programs, literacy strategies, and teacher training.
    September 22, 2025
    Ed Week Training
    Eglė Plytnikaitė for Education Week
    English Learners From Our Research Center Teachers Say They Need More Support for English Learners, Survey Finds
    An analysis of EdWeek Research Center survey data found gaps in teachers' English-learner training.
    Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, September 22, 2025
    4 min read
    Ed Week Guiding
    Eglė Plytnikaitė for Education Week
    English Learners The Critical Role States Play in English Learners’ Education
    States set guidance for schools working with English learners. That role is key now, experts say.
    Ileana Najarro, September 22, 2025
    7 min read
    ELL Aide Katherine Alfaro works with 4th grader Catarina Mendez Pedro at Russellville Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022.
    English-learner aide Katherine Alfaro works with 4th grader Catarina Mendez Pedro at Russellville Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. A national coalition of English-learner educators and advocates have called on federal officials to reinstate federal guidance for these students.
    Tamika Moore for Education Week
    English Learners Advocates Call for Return of Rescinded Federal Guidance on English Learners
    The Trump administration quietly rescinded 2015 guidance on English learners' federal rights.
    Ileana Najarro, September 18, 2025
    3 min read
    Conceptual illustration of classroom conversations and fragmented education elements coming together to form a cohesive picture of a book of classroom knowledge.
    Sonia Pulido for Education Week
    English Learners Opinion How to Teach English Learners the Right Way
    Teaching English learners can be challenging. These veterans offer guidance.
    Larry Ferlazzo, September 5, 2025
    12 min read
    TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a 3rd grade English learners class at the 700-student Worthington Intermediate School that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024.
    TahSoGhay Collah, right, teaches a 3rd grade English-learners class at the 700-student Worthington Intermediate School that serves grades 3 through 5, in Worthington, Minn., on Oct. 22, 2024. English-learner advocates call for national leaders to protect federal dollars dedicated to these students.
    Jessie Wardarski/AP
    English Learners Advocates Push Congress to Protect Funding for English Learners
    President Donald Trump has called for eliminating federal dollars set aside for English learners. Advocates make their case.
    Ileana Najarro, August 27, 2025
    3 min read
    Photo of Dear Colleague letter.
    The 2015 Dear Colleague letter outlining the rights of English learners has been rescinded, now with a notice at the top.
    Education Week + Getty
    English Learners Trump Admin. Quietly Rescinds Guidance on English Learners’ Rights
    The 2015 Dear Colleague letter detailed how schools and districts can comply with federal requirements in English-learner education.
    Ileana Najarro, August 20, 2025
    4 min read
    A kindergartner at the Raul Yzaguirre School spells a word in English and Spanish.
    A kindergartner at the Raul Yzaguirre School spells a word in English and Spanish.
    Smiley N. Pool for Education Week
    English Learners Professional Learning Guide Your Guide to English Learners
    Explore strategies to help create an inclusive classroom, support language acquisition, and drive academic success across all subjects.
    August 12, 2025
    Fifth graders listen during Durdana Qayum’s Urdu lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025.
    Fifth graders listen during Durdana Qayum’s Urdu lesson at Allen Jay Elementary School in High Point, N.C., on Jan. 28, 2025. Bilingual education programs, like dual-language immersion programs at Allen Jay, are the most effective models for English learners.
    Rachel Jessen for Education Week
    English Learners Bilingual Education vs. English-Only: What the Research Says
    Researchers shared findings from decades of studies on the effects of bilingual education at a June webinar.
    Ileana Najarro, August 1, 2025
    4 min read