Chapter 13: Teaching Ells in the USA: Toward a Pedagogy of Social Justice and Empowerment

While the number of ELLs in the U.S. has been growing rapidly, teaching ELLs has become fraught with economic disparity and political agenda. In this chapter, the authors review the relevant literature regarding challenges associated with teaching ELLs in the U.S. context. Specifically, the authors focus the discussion on illuminating the context of contemporary U.S. education, understanding challenges, and identifying promising practices regarding the teaching of ELLs. The authors offer theory- and research-based analyses and conclude with some examples from the field and suggestions for mediating the situation proactively both for students and teachers (at microsystemic and macrosystemic levels). A number of recommendations for further discussion, research, and teaching are offered.