“Do I or Don't I Teach Them?”—

Abstract

Students for whom English is a Second Language (ESL) and who are engaged in English based education can generate a range of pedagogical and ethical issues for educators. A multiple case study conducted in 1999 investigated issues associated with the education of ESL students from lecturers' perspectives and identified teaching strategies used by lecturers to counter the pedagogical and ethical issues. Pedagogical issues related primarily to English literacy standards of students, tailoring curricula and teaching practice to meet ESL student needs. Strategies used included monitoring of teaching strategies, provision of additional textual support, mixed groups, interactive learning, team assignments and limited use of examinations. Ethical issues were associated with the business versus academic enterprise of education and accepting students whose language ability was questionable and who subsequently expected to achieve a positive outcome-an English degree.