Teaching & Learning

English Learners

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

Webinars

Illustrations of "Hello" in multiple languages, blue color.
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.
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Featured Special Reports

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
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 Enseñar a los Estudiantes de Inglés Como Segundo Idioma
¿Qué tan buenos son los servicios que las escuelas les prestan a los estudiantes de inglés como segundo idioma?
May 11, 2016
Ke’mari Barnes (izquierda) y Yesenia Gomez trabajan en conjunto con tarjetas de rompecabezas durante una clase del pre-kinder en la Academia de Dos Idiomas en Tulsa, Oklahoma. La mitad de los estudiantes de la escuela son estudiantes de inglés como segundo idioma y representan un gran cambio demográfico en los últimos años en el distrito escolar.
Ke’mari Barnes (izquierda) y Yesenia Gomez trabajan en conjunto con tarjetas de rompecabezas durante una clase del pre-kinder en la Academia de Dos Idiomas en Tulsa, Oklahoma. La mitad de los estudiantes de la escuela son estudiantes de inglés como segundo idioma y representan un gran cambio demográfico en los últimos años en el distrito escolar.
Shane Bevel para Education Week
Special Report Teaching America's English-Language Learners
Articles in this special report explore the efforts states and school districts are making to effectively teach English-language learners. También disponible en español.
May 11, 2016
Pre-K student Kailyn Walker reaches for a book in her classroom at the Dual Language Academy in Tulsa, Okla., where 50 percent of children are English-learners and students are taught in English and Spanish.
Pre-K student Kailyn Walker reaches for a book in her classroom at the Dual Language Academy in Tulsa, Okla., where 50 percent of children are English-learners and students are taught in English and Spanish.
Shane Bevel for Education Week
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  • The Latest

    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
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    7 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
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    8 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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    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
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    4 min read
    An illustration of hands on the keyboard of a laptop with a male educator writing a speech bubble on a green classroom chalkboard.
    Taylor Callery for Education Week
    English Learners Here's What Resources ESL Teachers Say Would Improve Their Morale
    EdWeek Research Center survey data found two key priorities that could raise morale.
    Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, July 25, 2025
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    3 min read
    Illustration of a close up head of a male educator from the eyes up with open head / mind. Creating a platform for a scene in which we find mental health counselor and empty seat across from him. Radiating lines acting as sun rays emanating from sun / mind. These elements are drawn in chalk on board. Radiating sun reflects the idea of the positivity found in the process of working with a mental health counselor.
    Taylor Callery for Education Week
    English Learners Why ESL Teachers Are Calling for More Mental Health Support
    Survey data analysis found more mental health counselors at school can boost morale for English-as-a-second language teachers.
    Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, July 25, 2025
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    3 min read
    Illustration of speech bubbles with the words hola and hello.
    F. Sheehan for Education Week + Getty
    English Learners Federal Push for English-Only Services Worries Educators, Advocates
    New U.S. Department of Justice memo outlines how federal agencies will implement English as the national language.
    Ileana Najarro, July 18, 2025
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    4 min read
    Elizabeth Alonzo, pictured here working with 2nd grade student Maria Gonzalez de Leon at West Elementary in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022, is a bilingual aid at the school. Other students at the table are from left, Herlina Hernandez Guidel, Xavier Hooker, and Jaciel Felipe Matias.
    Bilingual aide Elizabeth Alonzo works with 2nd grader Maria Gonzalez de Leon, along with classmates, from left, Herlina Hernandez Guidel, Xavier Hooker, and Jaciel Felipe Matias, at West Elementary School in Russellville, Ala., on Dec. 9, 2022. Supplemental staff such as aides and tutors can be funded through Title III, but those funds are currently frozen, leaving hiring decisions in limbo.
    Tamika Moore for Education Week
    English Learners Delayed Title III Funds Leave Districts' English-Learner Expenses in Limbo
    The $890 million Title III program is among the billions the Trump administration is currently withholding from schools.
    Ileana Najarro, July 16, 2025
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    4 min read
    Evelyn Juarez speaks during the awards dinner for the National Spanish Spelling Bee at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 12, 2025. Juarez, the first winner of the NSSB, is a medical student at the University of New Mexico.
    Evelyn Juarez speaks during the awards dinner for the National Spanish Spelling Bee at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 12, 2025 in Albuquerque, N.M. Juarez, the first winner of the NSSB, is a medical student at the University of New Mexico.
    Adria Malcolm for Education Week
    English Learners How a Spanish Spelling Bee Winner Serves Her Community as an Adult
    Evelyn Juarez was the first-ever winner of the National Spanish Spelling Bee, and today she continues to use her bilingual skills to serve her community.
    Jennifer Vilcarino, July 15, 2025
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    5 min read
    Illustration of a grid of closed classroom doors drawn on notebook paper. Door at center of the illustration is open to reveal the orange silhouette of an educator interacting with an orange silhouette of a mother and son shown in a positive and warm landscape environment of greenery and blue skies.
    Taylor Callery for Education Week
    English Learners ESL Teachers Want More PD on Curriculum and Family Engagement
    EdWeek Research Center survey data on teacher morale found English-as-as-second-language teachers seeking specific PD for morale.
    Ileana Najarro & Alex Harwin, June 30, 2025
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    4 min read
    Classroom teachers learn from subject matter experts during a training session at Alicedes Figuera Bilingual School Grades 6-12, a National Professional Development grant school partner, in Añasco, PR. NPD grants of the federal office for English language acquisition provide training and micro-credential programs on serving English learners. Schools partner with universities and nonprofits for these services.
    Classroom teachers learn from subject matter experts during a training session at Alicedes Figuera Bilingual School Grades 6-12, a National Professional Development grant school partner, in Añasco, PR. NPD grants of the federal office for English language acquisition provide training and micro-credential programs on serving English learners. Schools partner with universities and nonprofits for these services.
    Courtesy of Belinda Gimbert
    English Learners Teachers Need EL Training, but Federal Grant Funding Is at Risk
    National Professional Development grants help school districts serving English learners get support for teacher training and credentialing.
    Ileana Najarro, June 30, 2025
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    8 min read
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