Toward Quality ESL Education

Abstract

This article draws on the results from 18 round-table discussions and a symposium that involved community, education, and government stakeholders in building a vision for quality, equitable ESL education. The findings suggest six pillars of effective ESL education: comprehensive programming; responsive funding allocation; cultural competence; networking, collaboration, and coordination; capacity-building and advocacy; and effective leadership. Also examined in this article are the notion of the educational entitlement of ESL learners and the roles of community, education, and government stakeholders in building effective ESL education.