Voices of California Public School Teachers on English Learners in Secondary Schools

This report identifies two main factors that bring difficulties in achieving academic literacy and success in school and later life to English learners (ELs) enrolled in public high schools by interviewing 12 teachers of secondary schools in California. It also clarifies the teachers’ challenges and their views on bilingual programs that were carried out until a few years ago. The two factors are (1) the lack of time necessary to attain academic literacy by the time they graduate, (2) the lack of financial as well as other various support mainly from family. After some background information on English learners is explained, the responses from the teachers are presented and discussed. Though the number of teachers interviewed is limited, it qualitatively exemplifies the kinds of challenges and situations in a microscopic way. Such an approach to English learners clarifies situations that may not have received due attention. It is expected their situations and challenges are better known and improved in future