In the 2018-2019 school year, approximately 9% of US students, or 4.8 million students, were considered English language learners.
So let us examine the query more closely
English language learners (ELLs) are students who are still developing their skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing English, as well as developing content knowledge in areas such as math, science, and social studies. In the United States, the percentage of students who are English language learners has been on the rise in recent years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in the 2018-2019 school year, approximately 9% of U.S. students, or 4.8 million students, were considered English language learners.
As research has shown, the success of ELLs depends on many factors, including language proficiency, academic background, and socio-economic status. Providing effective support for ELLs is crucial to their educational and personal success.
As stated by the Pew Research Center, “The share of English language learners among U.S. public school students has increased rapidly in recent decades, with growth in ELLs outpacing that of the overall K-12 student population.” In fact, the percentage of ELL students has more than doubled since the 1990s.
Here are a few interesting facts about ELLs in the United States:
- Spanish is the most common primary language spoken by ELL students, followed by Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole.
- The majority of ELL students are born in the United States, while a smaller percentage are immigrants.
- ELL students are more likely to be from low-income households than non-ELL students.
- ELL students face unique challenges in acquiring knowledge and skills in English and academic content areas, but research has shown that with effective instruction and support, ELLs can achieve at high levels.
A table showing the percentage of ELL students in each state can provide further insight and context into the prevalence of ELLs across the country:
State | % ELL Students
Alaska | 22%
California | 20%
New Mexico | 18%
Texas | 18%
Nevada | 17%
Arizona | 15%
Florida | 11%
New York | 9%
Illinois | 9%
Oregon | 9%
Washington | 9%
Colorado | 8%
Kansas | 8%
District of Columbia | 7%
Georgia | 6%
North Carolina | 6%
Oklahoma | 6%
South Carolina | 6%
Utah | 6%
Virginia | 6%
Hawaii | 5%
Maryland | 5%
Pennsylvania | 4%
New Jersey | 4%
Massachusetts | 4%
Ohio | 4%
Michigan | 3%
Tennessee | 3%
Kentucky | 3%
Indiana | 3%
Louisiana | 3%
Mississippi | 3%
Minnesota | 2%
Missouri | 2%
Wisconsin | 2%
Iowa | 1%
Nebraska | 1%
West Virginia | 1%
Arkansas | 1%
Connecticut | 1%
Delaware | 1%
Maine | 1%
Montana | 1%
North Dakota | 1%
Rhode Island | 1%
South Dakota | 1%
Vermont | 1%
Wyoming | 1%
As Nelson Mandela once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” With the right supports and resources, ELLs in the United States can access the power of education and contribute to creating a more diverse, equitable, and prosperous society.
Video response
In this YouTube video about academic language and English language learners, Dr. Robin Scarcella discusses the importance of academic language, how it differs from social language, and strategies for teaching it in the classroom. Scarcella emphasizes the need for students to acquire academic language early to succeed in academic settings and suggests activities and approaches for teachers to use to help students understand academic language. She discusses the importance of explicit instruction, scaffolding, and feedback in teaching academic language, as well as the role of administrators and professional development for teachers. Scarcella also addresses common misconceptions about academic language and provides resources for further support.
Other viewpoints exist
English learners (ELs) are students who are learning English as a second or additional language. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the percentage of public school students in the U.S. who were ELs was 10.3 percent, or 5.0 million students, in fall 2020. This percentage has increased from 9.2 percent, or 4.5 million students, in fall 2010. Another source reports that the percentage of ELs was 10.4 percent in fall 2019.
The percentage of public school students in the United States who were English learners (ELs) was higher in fall 2020 (10.3 percent, or 5.0 million students) than in fall 2010 (9.2 percent, or 4.5 million students).
In the fall of 2019, around 10.4 percent of U.S. public school students were English Language Learner (ELL) students. This figure is an increase from 8.1 percent of U.S. public school students in 2000.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
Also Know, What percentage of public school students are English language learners?
Elementary and Secondary Enrollment English Language Learners in Public Schools The percentage of public school students in the United States who were English language learners (ELLs) was higher in fall 2018 (10.2 percent, or 5.0 million students) than in fall 2010 (9.2 percent, or 4.5 million students).
Moreover, What percentage of ELL students attend public schools? ELL students constituted an average of 14.9 percent of total public school enrollment in cities, 9.8 percent in suburban areas, 6.9 percent in towns, and 4.2 percent in rural areas. The Condition of Education 2021 3 Chapter: English Language Learners in Public Schools 2/Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education Section:
Keeping this in consideration, How many children are learning English?
Response will be: There are now an estimated 4.9 million children in U.S. public schools learning the English language. These students are in classrooms in most school systems—and enrollment is surging in states across the South and Midwest that had almost no English-learners at the turn of the century.
Also, How many English-language-learners are in K-12 schools?
English-language-learner enrollment in K-12 schools has increased by more than 1 million students since 2000, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education . There are now an estimated 4.9 million children in U.S. public schools learning the English language.
One may also ask, What percentage of public school students are English language learners? The reply will be: Elementary and Secondary Enrollment English Language Learners in Public Schools The percentage of public school students in the United States who were English language learners (ELLs) was higher in fall 2018 (10.2 percent, or 5.0 million students) than in fall 2010 (9.2 percent, or 4.5 million students).
What percentage of ELL students attend public schools?
Answer will be: ELL students constituted an average of 14.9 percent of total public school enrollment in cities, 9.8 percent in suburban areas, 6.9 percent in towns, and 4.2 percent in rural areas. The Condition of Education 2021 3 Chapter: English Language Learners in Public Schools 2/Preprimary, Elementary, and Secondary Education Section:
Moreover, How many children are learning English?
There are now an estimated 4.9 million children in U.S. public schools learning the English language. These students are in classrooms in most school systems—and enrollment is surging in states across the South and Midwest that had almost no English-learners at the turn of the century.
Also Know, How many English-language-learners are in K-12 schools? In reply to that: English-language-learner enrollment in K-12 schools has increased by more than 1 million students since 2000, according to a new report from the U.S. Department of Education . There are now an estimated 4.9 million children in U.S. public schools learning the English language.