Radical Re-Thinking Required :: Structural Change Needed to Bridge Adult Language Gaps via Language Magazine

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Radical Re-Thinking Required :: structural change is needed to bridge adult language gaps

Language Magazine: 9.20.2019 by Katie Nielson

According to the Migration Policy Institute, the U.S. meets the educational needs of less than 4% of its adult immigrant population—more than 20 million of whom have limited proficiency in English. It’s an especially troubling fact, as communicating in English remains a prerequisite for most careers in this country.

Those who are not fluent in English often face barriers not only in the workplace but within their broader communities. Working-age adults with limited English proficiency, most of whom are immigrants, earn 25-40% less than their English proficient counterparts.

The ways we currently address this issue—offering ESL instruction at community centers, welcoming programs, refugee training centers, and local schools—is not nearly enough. An effective solution requires a much more comprehensive approach. It will require greatly extending the reach of these existing programs. We must start offering English training to immigrants seeking other services, such as legal aid or housing assistance. And it is crucial that we provide learners with programs that are accessible, flexible, and that operate outside of the typical college classroom hours.

Unfortunately, serious conversations about redesigning education for adult learners are often limited to institutions of higher education. They tend to ignore the unique challenges of adult students with limited English proficiency for whom access takes on a very different meaning. Even the most affordable, flexible educational options are often beyond reach. A growing number of school districts, businesses, and other organizations are starting to change the conversation, however, helping to bridge the language gap through innovative local programs that marry technology and local outreach.  READ MORE >>