Analysis of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program in Cultural Institutions : Educational Opportunity for Adult Immigrants in New York City

Abstract

The rapid immigrant population growth has had a great impact on cultural institutions’ educational role to immigrants. In recent years, cultural institutions have increased educational opportunity for immigrants and these programs encourage adult learners to participate in the community. In order to understand the current state of education for adult immigrants in the United States, this paper will investigate the educational services of the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program for immigrants in cultural institutions. In this study, I will focus on the ESOL program offered for adult immigrants in cultural institutions such as library and museum in New York City. How does the ESOL program in cultural institutions refl ect the needs of diverse communities? How does the ESOL program encourage immigrants to participate in society? To answer these questions, I have conducted interviews to ESOL coordinators and teachers in two different cultural institutions in February, 2014. First interview group is one ESOL coordinator and three ESOL teachers in New York Public Library. Another interview was conducted to the founder of the Cultures and Literacies through Art for the 21 Century (CALTA21) which provides ESOL program in museums. These institutions, New York Public Analysis of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program in Cultural Institutions: Educational Opportunity for Adult Immigrants in New York City