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The relationship between English Language Learners' (ELL) academic achievement and teacher education programs that prepare preservice teachers for working with those students has largely been ignored in the literature to date. This article reports findings from a study of how graduates from one elementary teacher education program, in which the state-required English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) teacher credential has been “infused” evaluated their preparedness for and efficacy in working with ELLs in mainstream classroom settings. Our analysis of 85 survey responses revealed a positive relationship between teachers' views of their preparation for and effectiveness in teaching ELLs. A positive association was also found between teachers' ability to speak a language other than English (LOTE) and their level of preparedness to teach ELLs. Teacher graduates considered direct field experiences with ELLs to be the most helpful component of the preservice preparation program. Survey findings and implications for teacher preparation programs and the preparation of high-quality teachers of ELLs are discussed.
Coady et al. (Wed,) studied this question.