Myth vs. Fact: English Learners
What do we believe to be true about English learners? Whether you’re an educator, or simply a supporter of education, knowing the truth about this growing group of students is important. The more we share the truth, the better conversations we can have in schools and public spheres to improve their outcomes. We’ve listed 8 common myths about English learners below. Share the these facts about English learners with a friend, especially the next time you encounter a prevalent myth!
Myth: Students who are English Learners will most likely not graduate high school.
Fact: 67% of English Learners graduate high school and the goal is to make it 100%!
Myth: English learners need to learn English before they can learn additional content.
Fact: Students can learn English and content simultaneously through appropriately supported lesson plans and materials.
Myth: English learners need all of their school work translated for them.
Fact: With appropriate supports, multilingual students can access English language materials confidently.
Myth: Students who are English learners are all Spanish speakers.
Fact: Not all students who are English learners are Spanish speakers. In Davidson county, students represent 130 countries, speaking over 100 languages.
Myth: Being an English learner student means you just arrived to the United States.
Fact: English learner students may be born in the US but grow up speaking a language other than English in the home. Also, a student may be in the English Learner program for several years as they gain proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking the language.
Myth: English learner students are all learning English as their second language.
Fact: English learner students may be learning English as their third or fourth language.
Myth: Young English learners are slower learners than their peers.
Fact: Children learning multiple languages at once learn at the same rate as their peers. Because learning multiple languages at once is more complex, there may be a delay in the way they demonstrate progress. This delay is only temporary!
Myth: Learning several languages at once confuses children.
Fact: Children have the capacity to learn many languages at once starting at birth. Often multilingual children will switch between languages in a single sentence because they are drawing on what they know.
How will you advocate for the multilingual learners in your community? Awareness is the beginning of advocacy - now it’s time to speak up and speak out!
