Florida now ranks third in the country in the number of students who were born outside the USA and whose native language is not English. Children representing many different backgrounds come together in the school systems and must learn together, and their parents often find their way into your ESOL and adult education classrooms.

This module will only touch on some of the issues related to reading and the ESOL student. However, by the end of this section, you should

• have a stronger understanding of the tremendous challenge your ESOL students have taken on, and
• become aware of some of the many resources available to you.

There exists a great opportunity to promote cultural understanding, encourage students to help their children in school, and to assist them in living and working in an increasingly multi-cultural society.

Let's look at some of the ways in which first and second language acquisition are alike, some of the ways in which they are different, and strategies for teachers.

Print another copy of the Venn diagram, or develop your own graphic organizer to record what is alike and what is different about acquiring a first language and acquiring a second language. At the end of this section, when you have completed your notes, put this in your resource folder.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this web-based training component, it is not an official publication of the Florida Department of Education.