Capitalizing on Student Educational Backgrounds in ESL Adult Education

• In Event: Moscone Center North Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: College Access and Equity for Marginalized Students

Abstract

This study explores the educational backgrounds of English as a Second Language (ESL) students enrolled at a noncredit institution within a community college district. Survey data was collected from 590 adult ESL students to gather information about their educational background and their desired career field in the United States. Majority of the students enrolled in the ESL courses are immigrants. Results from this study mirror the literature which shows that there are two types of immigrant populations arriving in the Unites States, those who have completed at least a bachelor’s degree and those who do not possess a high school diploma. Additionally, this study examined ESL students’ potential career interests and whether those career interest align with their educational background.

Authors

• Harpreet Uppal, North Orange Continuing Education

• Dulcemonica Delgadillo

• Jason Estacio Makabali, North Orange Continuing Education