Education for Adult English Language Learners in the United States: Trends, Research, and Promising Practices

Adult English language learners comprise a substantial proportion of the adult education population in the United States. In program year 2006-2007, 46% of participants enrolled in state-administered adult education programs were in English as a second language (ESL) classes. This percentage does not include English language learners enrolled in other types of programs, such as adult basic education (ABE) and adult secondary education (ASE). To meet the increasing demand for English language instruction, existing adult education programs are expanding and new ones are being established. In addition to federally funded programs, services are offered by volunteer and faith-based organizations, museums, libraries and other community centers, private language schools, and academic institutions. This paper describes education for adult English language learners in the United States, focusing on the following topics: (1) Characteristics of the foreign-born population; (2) Foreign-born adults enrolled in adult ESL programs, their access to and participation in programs, and factors that affect their participation and success; (3) The types of instructional programs that serve adult English language learners; (4) Professional development for teachers of this population; (5) The U.S. adult education assessment and accountability system; and (6) Future directions in English literacy education and lifelong learning. As a comprehensive discussion of the trends, research, and promising practices in the field of adult education, this paper is an important resource for any practitioner interested in improving education for adult English language learners. NRS Functioning Level Table is appended. (Miriam Burt and Joy Kreeft Peyton helped to define and shape the paper, and Sharon McKay and Lynda Terrill provided valuable content expertise. Lynda Terrill designed the document for publication on the Web. Contains 4 tables.)