THE ROLE OF TEACHING ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS: CHALLENGES, STRATEGIES, AND IMPLICATIONS

Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) in public schools is a critical component of fostering linguistic proficiency, cognitive development, and socio-economic mobility among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds (Cummins, 2000). The increasing global reliance on English as a primary medium for education, employment, and communication underscores the need for effective ESL instruction (Krashen, 1982). However, public schools encounter multiple challenges in implementing ESL programs, including resource limitations, teacher preparedness, and policy constraints (Gándara & Escamilla, 2017). This paper explores the importance of ESL instruction, the key obstacles faced by educators and students, and the most effective pedagogical strategies for enhancing English language acquisition in public education. Furthermore, it examines policy recommendations that can contribute to the long-term improvement of ESL teaching and its broader societal impact.