Arizona's English Language Learner (ELL) population is broad and multifaceted, spanning grades K–12. In contrast to the national average of 9.6%, Arizona had roughly 11.5% of its student population classified as ELLs as of 2018, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.
These ELL students are mostly Hispanic, with the majority hailing from Mexico, although there are sizable groups from Central America, Asia, and the Middle East
as well. Spanish is the most spoken language at home, with Navajo, Vietnamese, Arabic, and a host of other languages following closely behind. The ELL population
in Arizona is diverse in terms of both demographics and home language, which has a big impact on general education classroom instruction. Cultural differences can have an impact on how students learn and interact in the classroom, so teachers need to be aware of them as well. For instance, respect for authority may
be highly valued in some cultures, which may discourage pupils from challenging the teacher's beliefs or raising doubts.
Lastly, by knowing the demographics of the ELL population, teachers can interact with families in a more productive manner. For instance, in order to interact with parents, a teacher might pick up a few simple phrases in the student's native tongue. Alternatively, they might look for local resources to assist families dealing with financial difficulties.
References
1.
National Center for Education Statistics. (2018). English Language Learners in Public Schools.
2.
Arizona Department of Education. (2019). Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA).
