Publication: A National Language Policy for ESL

• Wrigley, Heide Spruck
• Ewen, Danielle, T.

Discussion of national language policy concerning adult
English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) education examines
conditions in American demographics and adult education,
looks at kinds of policy required to meet predicted
educational needs, and encourages ESL educators to become
involved in the policy formation process. The first section
discusses need for national adult ESL education policy,
surveying trends in ESL instruction across federal and
private sectors. It concludes with a call to action,
suggesting three interdependent strategies for creating
ESL-related policy. The second section elaborates on these
strategies, examining key issues that must be addressed if
the profession is to present a coherent, comprehensive ESL
policy agenda to Congress. Characteristics of the adult ESL
population and its educational needs are outlined, policy
changes are suggested in areas of funding, recognition, and
program quality improvement, and general policy
recommendations are made. A concluding section describes
actions that ESL professionals can take at the classroom,
program, district, and state levels. Appended materials
include notes on procedures for legislative review of the
Adult Education Act, a timeline for involvement of ESL
educators, glossary of acronyms, description of one adult
ESL professional's experiences with policy formation, and
list of related electronic message services. Contains 23
references. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy
Education)