In Canada seventeen percent of the population was born in another country. This is rather alarming because it means that almost 1 out of 5 people living here is foreign to Canada. Canada has more foreign born students than other countries in the world because our immigration policies allow 50% of refugees who apply to enter our country.
This obviously causes a language problem in our schools. We have to find ways to deal with this so that our English as a Second Language (ESL) students are able to quickly pick up English so that they can advance their education and become contributing Canadians. We also have to worry about the high rates of movement in certain schools where families are changing homes or parents are attaining jobs that require frequent movement.
A second language is much harder to learn than a first language. Students have to study for about 3 years in an English school before they are really competent in it. However, if there are other aiding factors, like an interest in English music or TV, the process may be accelerated. Students may also fall back in their English skills in more advanced grades because the material learned is far more difficult. This material requires advanced knowledge of English, something that ESL students may not have. If remedial programs are not available, students may just drop out.
One program that works well is the dual language program. In this program 50% of material is taught in one language and 50% is taught in English. Of course, it works best in areas where most of the ESL students share a first language. An example of this is near the American-Mexican border. Studies have shown that in this program the students acquire English skills better than those in all English programs.
ESL students do require more work than English students, but can be far more rewarding. If the teacher is good and the student is willing, the results will come so much quicker and will last much longer. The bilingual program may just be the answer to the problem if a student is not picking up English quick enough at an all English school. If they learn in 50-50 as in the dual program the results could be far better. However, if the student is not in an area with many students of a similar first tongue, this program is impossible and both the student and the teacher will need far more determination and time to learn and teach English.
