Terminology - How do we refer to our students?

From LiteracyTentWiki

The discussion thread below, streamlined here, was taken from messages posted to the NIFL-ESL electronic discussion forum [nifl-esl@nifl.gov] in March, 2006.


To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov
From: joanna arhon jarhon at hotmail.com
Thu Mar 2 15:55:29 EST 2006


I was told that the term English Language Learner is no longer PC? Is English Learner the term that is now used? Thoughts?


Joanna Arhon


To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov
From: Terry Said said at ameritech.net
Sat Mar 4 12:53:44 EST 2006


Who told you it wasn't PC and what do they suggest you use instead? What about it did they feel was discriminatory? This is the term used in the state of Michigan, and several others I've worked in. This term replaced LEP (limited English proficiency).


Terry Pruett-Said


To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov
From: Jacqueline Saindon jsaindon at uga.edu
Sun Mar 5 09:54:50 EST 2006


I'm curious about why the term ELL and not considered correct. I sit both in the camp of K-12 and adult literacy. In K-12 the term has become the state used term, and I believe it's acceptably used in adult literacy as well. I hope someone will affirm or disaffirm the use of English Language Learner ifor both K-12 and adult literacy settings.


Jackie Saindon


To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov
From: David Brown dabro at csulb.edu
Sun Mar 5 10:24:27 EST 2006


I agree with both Jackie and Terry. As Terry stated, it's better than LEP (leper?)


David Brown
ESL/EFL/ELL teacher
Long Beach, CA USA


To: nifl-esl@nifl.gov
From: Luri Owen lowen at adult-learning-inc.com
Mon Mar 6 10:24:22 EST 2006


What we're using here in southwest Colorado is ESOL students, although the schools still use ELL. Both are acceptable in my opinion. ESOL is English to Speakers of Other Languages.


Luri Owen
Bayfield/ESL Coordinator
The Adult Learning Center, Inc.
Phone 970-884-7765


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"PC" is the most abused,over used form of "formal" censorship. In The Northwest "ELL" is acceptable and ESOL has been referred to as English "Supersedes" Other Languages. No one has complained.