All In How Educators Can Advocate For English Language Learners

How can educators and other stakeholders become more effective advocates for language-minority students? This National Education Association guide offers strategies, resources, and step-by-step instructions for navigating the real-life issues educators encounter every day. The guide also features general educators and ELL educators who tell stories about the students who inspired them to act. You can see related resources in our ELL Advocacy & Leadership section. NEA believes all students deserve the tools and support to flourish. We advocate for our students by pushing for programs that address their unique needs, and we want educators to have every resource they need to connect with ELL students.

ELL students are the fastest growing group of students in grades K-12. As their numbers increase, this responsibility is more important than ever. NEA was ahead of the curve in 1966 when we held a conference on bilingual education. We said loud and clear back then that non-English speaking students were not deficient. The deficiency was in the materials, techniques, and the schools. Our advocacy led directly to the 1968 passage of the Bilingual Education Act, the first step in the attempt to address the needs of ELL students in a systematic way.

Today, bilingual education is part of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which focuses more strongly on closing the achievement gap between English learners and other students. NEA continues to champion ELL students in the community and the classroom and to advocate for the opportunities they deserve. As our 2015 report on English Language Learners declared, “These are America’s students, and the nation can’t afford to let them down.” Here are some resources to help educators connect with, mentor, and inspire every child. Explore guides, research papers, policy briefs, and tools to aid decisions on standards and assessments. This resource provides information on why it is important to advocate for English language learners (ELLs) and how to go about it.

It is organized in four sections. Why advocate for English language learners? Advocacy in action Curriculum access and language rights Educator training and preparation This resource provides comprehensive information on how to advocate for the learning needs of ELL students. It also provides valuable examples and additional resources. Multilingual Learners Supporting All Learners

August 2025 April 2025 January 2025 December 2024 August 2024 July 2024 March 2024 January 2024 December 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 November 2022... All Academic Conversations Academic Vocabulary Accommodating Accommodations Administrator Advocacy Anchor Chart Art Assumptions Balanced Literacy Beginning Of The Year Bloom's Taxonomy Book Study Brain Research Building Background Building Relationships Collaboration Communication Comprehensible Input Conferences... Valentina Gonzalez (@ValentinaESL) is an immigrant, educator, and writer with a special passion for serving English learners. Follow her on her website. Supporting English Language Learners: A Guide for Educators Working with English Language Learners (ELLs) is both rewarding and complex.

As classrooms grow increasingly diverse, educators often face questions about how to best support students navigating a new language while keeping up with academic content. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or support staff, being prepared to address these questions is key to fostering an inclusive and effective learning environment. Let’s explore practical strategies and insights to help you confidently advocate for ELLs. Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to recognize the unique challenges ELLs face. These students aren’t just learning a language—they’re adapting to cultural norms, academic expectations, and social dynamics simultaneously. For many, the pressure to “catch up” can feel overwhelming.

A common misconception is that ELLs struggle solely with vocabulary. In reality, language acquisition involves mastering grammar, pronunciation, idiomatic expressions, and subject-specific terminology—all while processing new concepts in math, science, or history. When questions arise about an ELL’s progress, start by considering their holistic experience. Are they given time to process information in multiple formats? Do they feel safe making mistakes? Understanding these layers helps frame supportive responses.

Building a Foundation of Cultural Sensitivity

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