Washington DC: Adult English as a Second Language

[Harold Schiffman]

Adult English as a Second Language

When it comes to immigrant integration – naturalization, participation
in civic life and economic self-sufficiency – English proficiency is a
must. And while the inability to speak English leads directly to
poverty for many in the Asian American community – 60 percent of which
is foreign-born – there is no national voice on this issue.

This is why the ESL program is so important. Through a concerted,
comprehensive public education and advocacy campaign, ESL will help
Asians and others access the English language programs they so
desperately need so that they, too, can realize their goal of being a
part of the American dream.

In 2006, AAJC brought together key stakeholders from major advocacy
groups, as well as those from government associations, labor,
religious and business sectors to identify needed policy changes and
approaches to implement adult literacy programs and thereby promote
immigrant integration. As a result of this convening, we have recently
produced a groundbreaking report, Adult Literacy Education in
Immigrant Communities: Identifying Policy and Program Priorities for
Helping Newcomers Learn English, highlighting priorities for
strengthening adult ESL programs nationwide.

-- http://www.advancingequality.org/en/cms/?29
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