The impact of content-based instructional programs on the academic progress of ESL students

Abstract

Research has shown that content-based ESL instruction results in improved proficiency in English language skills and appears to ease students' transition into the academic mainstream. Although this research indicates that content-based instruction enhances performance in individual ESL and some related content courses, to date there has been no quantitative evidence that a content-based instructional program has any further impact on ESL students' academic progress. The study reported here provides evidence that content-based instruction at the intermediate level of English language proficiency not only enhances performance at that level, but may also help to facilitate students' subsequent performance in the college academic mainstream and increase their likelihood of earning a college degree.