Which term refers to students whose native language is not English and who are learning English as an additional language?

• A. Multilingual Learner
• B. English-Language Learner (ELL)
• C. Bilingual Education Student
• D. English as a Second Language Student

Answer: (B)

When students come from homes where a language other than English is spoken and they are learning English as an additional language, the label most commonly used is English-Language Learner. This term signals that the student needs language development support in English while recognizing their background in another language. It’s the standard designation in many schools and policies, and it focuses on English development without tying the student to a specific program type or implying that English is merely a second language in a narrow sense.

A Multilingual Learner is accurate and broader, highlighting proficiency in multiple languages, but it doesn’t specifically emphasize the English-learning focus that this question is targeting. A Bilingual Education Student isn’t a standard label schools use. English as a Second Language Student is older terminology and less inclusive, since many students may be multilingual beyond just a second language and may not identify with “second language” in today’s diverse classrooms.