English as a Second Language (ESL) is a program of instruction designed for adults who are limited English proficient and whose primary language is not English. These students who need to improve their speaking, reading, writing, and understanding of the English language to enable them to further their education or obtain employment.
| Assessments for ESL students: English as a Second Language (ESL) students are placed in one of six levels in accordance with the National Reporting System’s (NRS) educational functioning levels. |
| The approved assessments for ESL placement include:
CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems) BEST Literacy (Basic English Skills Test) BEST-Plus Oral Proficiency Test TABE CLAS-E (Comprehensive Language Assessment System – English) |
| Transitioning to ABE/GED: Once ESL students meet the ‘Exit Criteria’ as determined on the NRS Educational Functioning Levels, ESL students may transition to Adult Basic Education (ABE) or GED depending on their goals. ESL students become ABE or ASE students by taking the level placement test, TABE (Test of Basic Education) |
| Federal Grants: |
| English Literacy/Civics Education English Literacy/Civics Education Projects and Coordinators English Literacy/Civics Education Project Summary Reports 2008-2009 For Program Year 2011-2012, $1,060,840 was allotted to the community colleges and community-based organizations.
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| Project IDEAL Distance Learning
For the 2011-2012 Program Year, $174,560 was allotted to fourteen community colleges and community-based organizations. |
| Online and classroom resources: EL/Civics Online On Common Ground |
| Professional Publications:
Adult ESL and The Community College by Forest Chisman and Jodi Crandall, January 2007
Torchlights in ESL: Five community College Profiles
CAL (Center for Applied Linguistics) SABES (System for Adult Basic Education Support)Carolina TESOL(Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages in North and South Carolina)
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| Click here for more English as a Second Language Resources. |