We can fundamentally reshape our approach to integrating English instruction with high school education in three key steps:

De-silo our approach to ESL. Instead of separating English learners in ESL courses, it's possible to integrate English instruction with high school requirements. Personalized English instruction is designed to help them advance through standard high school classes like biology, math and American history and complete their studies with a valuable credential: a high school diploma.
Offer on-demand access. Where traditional high school programs require in-person attendance for around seven-plus hours a day, online learning offers valuable flexibility for the 40% of students who, like Eden, are juggling school and work. Online programs are inherently scalable, with no waitlists to attend overbooked programs in traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms—positioning them to help address another access issue: the U.S. currently serves the needs of just 4% of English learners.
Champion digital skills. Mobile-first instruction equips learners with digital literacy skills, which have become a requirement for 92% of jobs in the U.S. A survey of 2,500 EnGen learners found that 85% improved their digital skills in addition to their English skills as a result of using technology-mediated instruction. And a Penn Foster Group survey found that 80% of learners who participated in online learning reported that it opened doors that otherwise would have been inaccessible.

Today, Eden is on track to become the first person in his family to finish high school. Eden's plans don't stop with earning his high school diploma. He's thrived with online learning and plans to get additional online certificates that will position him for long-term career mobility.

Instant Insights /

How to integrate English training to unlock workforce potential

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