What concerns me as much as these figures is the strong correlation between illiteracy in the primary language and illiteracy in English. 86 percent of persons whose primary language is not English indicate they are illiterate in their native language as well. As these figures show. those who are limited English proficient are disproportionately represented among our Nations illiterate population. Contrary to conventional wisdom. limited English speakers are interested in learning English. An Education Week article of November 5. 1986 reports that thousands of prospective students. many of them recent immigrants. are being turned away from adult English language classes. Whether in Los Angeles. Houston.
Keywords matched
immigrants