ESL: English as a Second Language

The PA Department of Education ABLE Bureau defines English as a second language (ESL) instruction in the following way on its website:  “English as a Second Language (ESL) is instruction designed for adults with limited English proficiency who were not born in the United States, or whose native language is a language other than English, or who come from an environment where other than the English language is dominant and who, therefore, have sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language so as to deny these individuals the opportunity to learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English or to participate fully in society.”  (http://www.able.state.pa.us/able/cwp/view.asp?a=3&Q=39378&g=176&ableNav=|2620|2783|&ableNav=|2763|&ableNav=|2759|2763|)

Statewide, about a third of adult education services overall are provided for English as a second language learners.  Many Philadelphia literacy agencies offer English as a second language services as part of a range of educational services that they offer.  Some specialize in ESL services—some for ESL in general, some to speakers of a particular language or to people of particular ethnic backgrounds.

If you or someone you know wants to participate in an English as a second language program, call the Mayor’s Commission on Literacy’s information and referral hotline, 215-686-5250.

For more information about ESL services in general, contact Jubi Williams:
williamsj@library.phila.gov
215-686-5253