Bilingual Education & English as a New Language
- ELL and ML Parent Resources
- Roadmap to College for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners
- A Guide to Community-Based Organizations for Immigrants
- Common Core State Standards Guide
- ELL and ML Parent Events
- ELL and ML Parent Guide
- Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Parent Brochure
- Helpful Links for ELL and ML Parents and Families
- Parents' Bill of Rights & ELL and ML Parent Hotline
- Parent Guides: ELL and ML Testing
- Parent Informational Video: Dual Language and Transitional Bilingual Education Programs in New York State
- Parent Orientation Video: ELL and ML Programs in New York State
- Participating in Your Child's Education
- Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute
- Bilingual Glossaries & Spanish/English False Cognates
- ELL and ML Educator Resources
- Bilingual Education Resources
- Clinically Rich-Intensive Teacher Institute (CR-ITI)
- CTLE Requirements for ELL and ML Educators
- ELL and ML Educator Certification
- ELL and ML Educator Tools & Best Practices
- Topic Brief 1: Quality Education for ELLs and MLs: Why We Need It and How We Can Achieve It
- Topic Brief 2: Quality Student Interactions: Why Are They Crucial to Language Learning and How Can We Support Them?
- Topic Brief 3: De-Mystifying Complex Texts: What are "Complex" Texts and How Can We Ensure ELLs and MLs Can Access Them?
- Topic Brief 4: The Zone of Proximal Development: An Affirmative Perspective in Teaching ELLs and MLs
- Topic Brief 5: Dispelling the Myth of “English Only”: Understanding the Importance of the First Language in Second Language Learning
- Emergent Multilingual Learners in Prekindergarten Programs
- Integrated ENL Resources
- Multilingual Learner/English Language Learner Graduation Rate Improvement and Dropout Prevention Planning Tool
- NYS Bilingual Common Core Initiative/Bilingual Progressions
- Scaffolding Instructions for English Language Learners
- Translated Math Curriculum Modules
- Topic Briefs: Linguistically Diverse Learners and the NYS Next Generation P-12 Learning Standards
- Classroom Practices for Multilingual Learners and English Language Learners and The Next Generation English Language Arts Learning Standards
- Integrating Science and language for All Students
- Resources from OBEWL and the ELL Leadership Council
- ELL and ML Regulations & Compliance
- School District/LEA Resources
- Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Translated Resources
- ELL Identification & Placement/Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ)
- ELL and ML Assessment and Testing Accommodations
- Former ELL and ML Services
- Information Regarding Recent Immigration-related Actions
- Multilingual Learner and English Language Learner Graduation Rate Improvement and Dropout Prevention Planning Tool
- Multilingual Learner (ML) and English Language Learner (ELL) Program Quality Review and Reflective Protocol Toolkit
- Newcomer and Immigrant Students
- New York State's ESSA Plan for Growth in English Language Proficiency (ELP) Webinar
- New York State Seal of Biliteracy
- Parent Engagement
- Parent Notification Letters/Forms
- Program Options for ELLs and MLs
- Recent Natural Disasters and Displaced Families: Resources & Guidance for School Districts, Families, and Community Organizations
- Regional Support/RBERNS
- SIFE Resources
- Units of Study Tables
- Newcomer and Immigrant Students
Roadmap to College for English Language Learners and Multilingual Learners
A College Access Guide for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners in New York State
The content on this page is available as a color brochure, suitable for printing: PDF version of tri-fold brochure for printing.
The brochure PDF is now available in eight other languages: Arabic, Bengali, French, Haitian, Karen, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu
Have a Goal
There are many reasons to choose college education as a goal. This chart shows the value of each diploma over a lifetime. These numbers may increase when the candidate is bilingual.
High School Diploma Only = $1.30 Million |
Some College = $1.55 Million |
Bachelor's Degree = $2.27 Million |
Master's Degree = $2.67 Million |
Doctoral Degree = $3.25 Million |
Professional Degree = $3.65 Million |
College graduates earn at least a million dollars more than high school graduates over their lifetime!
Carnevale, A.P., Rose, S.J. and Cheah, B. (2011) The College Pay-off: Education, Occupations, Lifetime Earnings. Center for Education and The Workforce, Georgetown University.
Pew Research Center, February, 2014, “The Rising Cost of Not Going to College”
College graduates…
- have lower unemployment rates
- experience better health
- find interesting careers that maximize their earnings potentials
- report higher levels of happiness
- participate more in the community as shown by higher voting and volunteerism rates
- have higher rates of homeownership, and
- can help their children to earn higher grades in school
Choose a college that helps you prepare for the future you want. Remember that going to college has to be your decision and your choice. Don’t let the influence of television and other media, classmates and friends, family, and teachers push you in another direction. No one else can make this decision for you. Ultimately, you need to be able to live with the choice you make.
Think about your studies in school and consider what you are most successful at and enjoy doing.
What are your interests, abilities, aptitudes, likes, and dislikes?
What classes are your favorites? ...and why?
FINDING YOUR BEST FIT
After you’ve identified your interests and aptitude, you can figure out what college culture is your best fit.
Does the college you are considering teach in a way that fits your learning style? Do you learn better in large lecture halls of 200 plus students or in small groups of less than 10 students? Do you learn better with writing assignments, online activities, presentations, or group projects?
Colleges have different programs, facilities and resources, opportunities, faculty expertise, and financial support options for students. Colleges are evaluated for their graduation, retention, and career placement rates; rates of promotion (the time it takes to earn a degree) and admission to graduate school, and other important factors. Geographic location is an important factor in choosing a college. Are you prepared to live away from home or do you need the everyday support of your family? Can you be comfortable in your college’s community? Are there people (students or faculty) who speak your home language or are from your culture? Is there diversity?
Many colleges offer virtual online tours so you can get a first impression of whether or not you would fit in that particular college environment. Students should visit a variety of different schools to get a sense of what feels right.
Find colleges that have the best academic support re-sources for English Language Learners/Multilingual Learners (usually in a Learning Center or Writing Lab).
The City University of New York (CUNY) has 24 campuses in New York City with 11 senior colleges (4 year), 7 community colleges, the Graduate Center, Graduate School of Journalism, School of Public Health, Law School, and School of Professional Studies.
The State University of New York (SUNY) has 64 institutions across New York State, including 10 university centers and institutions granting Doctoral Degrees; 13 university colleges; 8 technology colleges; and 30 community colleges.
The Council for Independent Colleges and Universities lists 108 private colleges and universities in New York State.
In addition, there are 439 more colleges and universities in the Northeast region—Connecticut (46), Maine (30), Massachusetts (113), New Hampshire (20), New Jersey (44), Pennsylvania (130), Rhode Island (13), and Vermont (23). The U.S. Department of Education counts 4,626 colleges and universities in the United States.
So there is definitely a right college for you out there.
Learn from your high school guidance counselor how to answer these questions and do research using these free sites:
- United States Department of Education: College Affordability and Transparency Center
- National Center for Education Statistics: College Navigator
- The College Board
- Fastweb
- Scholarships.com
- US News Rankings
Make a Plan
To be prepared for college-level work…
- take challenging coursework in elementary, middle, and
- high school in English, mathematics, science, social studies, languages, and the arts
- find out the subjects you are good at and the subjects for which you might need assistance
- learn how to study, take tests, and complete projects effectively
- decide what careers interest you and discover what you will need to enter your chosen career
- Meet with your high school guidance counselor as early as 9th grade to discuss college preparedness and then continue to meet with him or her regularly.
- Take the SAT or ACT and do your best.
- Find the colleges/universities that match your goals.
- Get 2-3 recommendation letters from teachers and school counselors.
- Have official copies of your grades and test scores ready to be sent. (If your school’s records are not in English, get certified translations of your diploma and transcript.)
- Make sure you know what each college requires to apply and what the deadlines are.
- On your application, fill out the required information: name, address, email, citizenship/visa status, family in-formation, optional section asking for ethnic identity, marital status and other personal information that can help you if you are an international student and/or ethnic minority, educational data, high school, counselor’s name and contact information, previous schools attended and college courses you may have taken, SAT and/or ACT test scores (and make sure the colleges/universities receive your official test scores from the testing agencies).
- Provide information on your high school achievements: ac-ademic honors, extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, and unique accomplishments. Write about extra programs or classes you have taken as well as jobs you’ve had to show your dependability and willingness to work hard.
- Often colleges will require two essays or “personal statements”—a short one and a longer one. The Common Application requires an essay of 150 words or less on one of your extracurricular or work activities, and one of 250- 500 words. The longer essay may ask that you write about a person who has had a significant influence on you; an important personal, local, national or global event; or what personal qualities you have that add to the college’s diversity. Practice writing these essays with writing instructors to present yourself in the best light.
- A student admissions interview may be required.
- Most of all, make sure you stress your bilingualism and the experiences you’ve had that make you stand out.
The U.S. Department of Education awards about $150 billion a year in grants, work-study funds, and low-interest loans to more than 15 million students.
Federal and State sources – money is available to eligible students through the federal government. Students/families must complete the FAFSA to show financial need.
Institutional (College) – each college has their own scholar-ship application for money that is awarded through the school. Money may be awarded based on academic achievement, talent (athletics, music, etc.), unique student characteristics, etc.
Private Scholarships – there are thousands of private scholarships nationwide. Scholarships are awarded for a variety of characteristics in addition to need or academic merit. Look for scholarships for international students or students who speak other languages.
The cost of going to college will affect the colleges to which you will apply. Be sure to ask the right questions:
- What will I pay? What is my net price?
- How will I pay? Will my degree provide enough income and career opportunities to pay back my debt?
- Am I eligible to receive scholarships or grants?
- Am I eligible for federal student aid?
- What is the graduation or completion rate for the institution?
- Will I be able to repay my loans?