Research on ESL in U.S. Community Colleges: People, Programs, and Potential

This title offers insights into issues affecting today’s community colleges. As enrollment figures for second language students in higher education continue to grow, it’s necessary for educators who work with these students to reflect on current practices, develop new understandings, and take action when change is warranted. Community college mission statements generally feature a strong commitment to meeting local needs. The studies presented in this volume illustrate community connections and their social implications. Readers will gain insight into relevant practice while learning from studies that can serve as a basis for additional research. This volume contributes to the effort to define and explore the particular challenges met there by educators, particularly those teaching English for academic purposes. Thirteen original studies, conducted by practicing community college instructors and administrators, fall into five thematic parts - curriculum, technology, student retention and persistence, identity, and assessing success.