ESL students

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ESL students" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to students who are learning English as a second language, typically in educational contexts. Example: "The school offers specialized programs to support ESL students in their language acquisition."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

ESL students thus are identified; however, they are not remediated at the Kindergarten level in Virginia (VDOE, 2010).

International Journal of Child Care and Education Policy

In this regard, (McGruddy: The effect of listening comprehension strategy training with advanced level ESL students (Doctoral dissertation, Georgetown University, Washington DC), unpublished) used a questionnaire in order to study the impact of strategy instruction on the strategies she taught, that is the ones of predicting, selective attention, and inferencing.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Critics hold that standardized tests like the FCAT are particularly unfair to low-income students, ESL students, children of color, and those with disabilities.

Huffington Post

Seventy-nine Estudentsnts participated in the study.

Contemporary Educational Psychology

Some ESL students need smartphones for translation, and all the students need laptops to do the math.

The Washington Post

The number of international ESL students completing their degree programs in Australia has risen dramatically in the past decade.

Journal of Second Language Writing

But the number of ESL students has been slipping at City College and other parts of City University in recent years.

The New York Times

Chris Hobbs London I teach ESL students in Ethiopia and Romania for the Open University, and used to teach very diverse students at LMU.

The Guardian

Except you can't praise immigration for drawing talented foreigners to America, only to discount it when ESL students undercut your test rankings.

The Washington Post

House Floor Leader, Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City), called Ritze's plan "a bad idea," saying, "I have no desire to target ESL students," according to the AP.

The Washington Post

The purpose of the station is to help ESL students differentiate similar-sounding English words.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about students learning English, use "ESL students" or "English language learners" interchangeably to provide variety and maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Be mindful of using deficit-based terminology. While "Limited English Proficient (LEP)" was previously common, it's often better to use strengths-based terms like "English learners" or "emergent bilinguals" that focus on the student's potential.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ESL students" primarily functions as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a specific group of learners based on their language acquisition status. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used and grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

33%

News & Media

41%

Science

26%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ESL students" is a grammatically correct and very common noun phrase used to refer to students learning English as a second language. As indicated by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and used across various contexts, including academia, news media, and scientific research. While alternatives like "English language learners" are available and sometimes preferred, the key is to use respectful and accurate language. Avoid outdated or deficit-based terms, and consider your audience when making your choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

English language learners

A more formal and widely accepted term for students learning English as a second language.

ELL students

A common abbreviation for English Language Learners, often used in educational settings.

Students of English as a second language

A more descriptive and formal way to refer to students learning English.

Non-native English speakers

Focuses on the individual's background, highlighting that English is not their first language.

English learners

A shorter, more general term for students learning English.

Second language learners of English

Emphasizes the process of learning English as a second language.

Students learning English

A straightforward and simple way to describe students who are in the process of learning English.

Limited English proficient students

A term used to describe students with limited English skills; can sometimes be considered less sensitive.

Emergent bilinguals

Highlights the development of bilingualism in students learning English.

Multilingual learners

A broader term encompassing students learning multiple languages, including English.

FAQs

What does "ESL students" mean?

"ESL students" refers to students who are learning English as a second language. It's a common abbreviation used in education to describe individuals whose native language is not English and who are acquiring English language skills.

Is it better to say "ESL students" or "English language learners"?

Both "ESL students" and "English language learners" (ELL) are widely used and generally acceptable. Some prefer "English language learners" as it emphasizes language acquisition rather than a deficit. Choose the term that best fits your audience and context.

What are some alternative terms for "ESL students"?

Some alternative terms include "non-native English speakers", "English learners", or "emergent bilinguals", depending on the specific context and the focus you want to emphasize.

How can I support "ESL students" in the classroom?

Supporting "ESL students" involves strategies such as providing clear instructions, using visuals, offering language support, differentiating instruction, and creating a welcoming and inclusive classroom environment. Consider consulting with ESL specialists for tailored strategies.