e proficient in the English language. Therefore, educators possess a misconception that ELLs are able to acquire English rapidly. However, through their research studies, researchers have discovered that ELLs are often able to acquire conversational English within two years. However, academic proficiency—the reading and writing skills required for performing academic tasks in different subject areas--may take a considerably longer period of time. In fact, within a classroom setting, researchers estimate that it may take as long as five to seven years for ELLs to catch up to their native English-speaking peers, with regard to their academic performance (Collier & Thomas, 1999). While this may be considered to be a long period of time, Collie
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