The English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages (ESOL) Needs Assessment made recommendations to the state of Illinois regarding the development and implementation of a five-year ESOL plan for residents whose lack of English proficiency hampers their employability as well as naturalization. A demographic analysis was conducted in order to determine where recent immigrants are moving in the Chicago metropolitan area. Interviews were then conducted with service providers and other community-based organizations in order to delineate further demographic trends and to assess the needs of Illinois' foreign-born. Interviews and focus groups were also conducted with recent immigrants in Spanish and Polish in order to get a better understanding of their needs, as well as the constraints they face with respect to English proficiency, employability, and acculturation. With a working group of ESOL experts, CIR researched best practices and innovations that can make ESOL instruction more accessible to working immigrants.

Project Publications

What's New? Reaching Working Adults with English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Instruction. A Best Practices Report
9/02
A report detailing new approaches and best practices to reach working immigrants with English language services.
Full Report

Barriers to English Language Learners in the Chicago Metropolitan Area
7/01
A report detailing the number of adults with English Language Learning needs in the Chicago metropolitan area and the numerous barriers to their receiving English instruction.
Full Report