Language and cultural differences often cause English as a second language (ESL) students to feel alienated from their school and their community. As a result, they tend to make friends primarily within their own ESL classes and avoid interacting with mainstream students and getting involved in school activities. This article describes how…

As an American alone in Barcelona, Spain, the author came to understand the everyday difficulties faced by her English-as-a-Second-Language students back in California. Being relatively affluent and well-educated is no substitute for being proficient in a foreign language, but practice helps. (MLH)

After many efforts to lift the achievement of its high numbers of culturally and linguistically diverse students, a district in Massachusetts realized that the missing link was parent involvement. In this article, the author describes a program the district created to improve relationships between teachers and families and the enormous difference…