Final answer:
An ELL with strong oral English skills and literacy in their native language may struggle with written English due to differences in writing systems, dialects, and standard English expectations. Bilingual education can help bridge these gaps, emphasizing the importance of targeted instruction in academic English writing.
Step-by-step explanation:
Challenges in Writing for English Language Learners
An English Language Learner (ELL) may have strong oral language skills in English and solid reading and writing capabilities in their native language, yet still encounter difficulties when producing written work in English that is understandable. This can happen due to a variety of factors, such as the complexity of writing systems, the nuances of English syntax, and the challenges of expressing ideas in a second language that has different rhetorical strategies from the learner's primary language.
In the case of learning multiple languages, studies, such as those by Slavin et al. (2008) from Johns Hopkins University, highlight the benefits of bilingual education. Bilingualism supports learners in embracing both languages, which not only helps them progress academically but also molds them into valuable bilingual professionals later in life. This indicates that while the student may excel in oral English, the particular intricacies of English writing conventions, dialects, and grammar, juxtaposed with their existing literacy in their native language, may lead to written work that is not easily understood by others.
Furthermore, because English has various language varieties and identities, it may be challenging for the student to adjust their writing to the imagined standard English variety that is often expected in academic settings. Learners like the one described may also face additional difficulties if their spoken or written English is incorrectly assumed to reflect lower literacy levels.
One effective approach is instructional support that acknowledges and leverages the student's bilingual skills while providing targeted assistance in the specifics of academic English writing. This will not only honor the student's existing language capabilities but also aid in their transition to writing English that communicates effectively with the intended audience.