Different Approaches

[Unkotare]

There are basically three usual approaches to supporting non-native English speaking students.

1. Generally at schools with significantly large populations of non-native English speaking students, a dedicated ESL class is built into the schedules of such students just like subject matter classes like Science, History, ELA, etc.
2. Push-in is when an ESL expert goes in to an on-going general ed class and supports the non-native speakers as they participate in the same lessons and exercises as the native English speaking students.
3. Pull-out is when an ESL expert cycles through general ed classes and takes identified ESL students out for a portion of the day to instruct them in the English language specifically. These sessions are usually designed to parallel and support the topics and skills students are studying in their general ed or subject area classes.

Push-in and pull-out are most often implemented in schools with smaller non-native populations, smaller schools, or vocational schools.

There is also bilingual education, but that has fallen out of favor (or been banned by law) in many states over the past several decades.

 

[Unkotare]

Even with a dedicated ESL class, it should be noted that is just one out of 5 or 6 classes a student might have on any given day. People who just shout "immersion!" whenever it comes up are missing the point. Subject area teachers just about everywhere are now required to be SEI certified. SEI = Sheltered English Immersion.