Terminololgy

The following terms referencing language proficiency appear throughout this Critical Issue. Although they are generally interchangeable, each has a subtle shade of difference in meaning.

• The term 'limited English proficient students' (LEP) is used throughout the paper in accordance with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, R.H. 1. Limited English proficient students are those making a transition from their native (or home) language to English as a new language of their education.
  
  
• (English) Second language learner (ESL): A learner who speaks language(s) other than English at home and who learns English as the dominant language of the media and education in the host culture.
  
  
• Non-English speaker: Speaker whose primary language is not English.
  
  
• Language minority students: Students who do not use English as their main language at home and whose family culture is different than the host culture. They are considered to be fluent in English, especially in their social language skills, not so much in academic.
  
  
• Non-native English learners: A learner whose family and/or native language background is not English.
  
  
• English language learners: learners who are beginning to learn English as a new language or have already gained some proficiency in English.
  

References