Who Are Emergent Bilinguals? Students Learning English as an Additional Language

Emergent bilinguals are students (or any learners) in the process of acquiring English as a second/additional language. They are typically native speakers of other languages, at any proficiency level—from newcomers to near-fluent.

Challenges

• Comprehension gaps in fast-paced instruction
• Academic vocabulary deficits
• Social isolation, frustration, identity negotiation

Strengths

• Metalinguistic awareness (thinking across languages)
• Cross-cultural competence
• Cognitive flexibility

Effective Teacher Practices

• Scaffolded instruction (sentence frames, graphic organizers)
• Visual supports (images, diagrams, videos)
• Affirming home language and culture
• Patient pacing, check-ins, collaborative structures
• Asset-based mindset: view bilingualism as resource, not deficit

With appropriate support, emergent bilinguals enrich classrooms and achieve academic success.