[NIFL-ESL:10598] Re: Question re. LEP terminology/Ujwala's question

From: mdryden@mail.utexas.edu
Date: Mon Nov 22 2004 - 21:03:34 EST


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From: mdryden@mail.utexas.edu
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Subject: [NIFL-ESL:10598] Re: Question re. LEP terminology/Ujwala's question
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Laurie,

I can only give you my perceptions. Are you referring to K12 or adult education,
or both?  As far as I know, we generally do not use this terms for adult
learners, especially in the recent adult education literature. I can understand
using it as the person from Colorado used it, as a trio of specific
descriptions, under the umbrella term of English Language Learner, for K12, if
they want to use it.  I am not in K12, so I cannot speak for the terms used
there.  

However, I prefer English Language Learner/ESOL student/learner for adults.  I
think that we can discontinue using LEP for adults; we now have ELL or ESL or
ESOL learner levels (products of assessment) for adults, that are far more
meaningful and descriptive than LEP. Our federal adult Education Grants refer
to ESL students/learners, I believe, or they should. I do not have access to
one at the moment.

Yet all learners, as Ujwala perhaps suggested with his significant question, are
sensitive to the names given them.  Adults and children can recognize words with
negative connotations. Have we given voice to either of these groups, as Ujwala
asked, in the choice of the term that we attach to them as a group. This is
another way of being sensitive to their needs, which is a cornerstone of our
field.

Marianne


Quoting Laurie Ketzenberg <lketzenberg@resolutionpictures.com>:

> Re the "LEP" word/acronym/label: does anyone consider that its pervasive use
> in government-speak/institution talk (i.e. Departments of Education and
> Labor, grant writing, assessment reports, etc., etc.) may be why it persists
> in the discourse?  Those 3 letters carry tremendous meaning in our field.
> Addressing this would be huge.  Does anyone think it's necessary?  Please
> share!
> 
> Laurie
> 
> 
> 



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