A new report from the Community College Research Center, Supporting Multilingual Learners in Community Colleges: Lessons from City Colleges of Chicago, examines policies and practices across the seven-campus City Colleges of Chicago system. The three-year mixed-methods study included interviews, surveys and analysis of administrative data. It defines multilingual learners as students developing English proficiency while pursuing education or training. “Community colleges serve a diverse student population in terms of age, racial and ethnic background, and education level,” the report notes, but “relatively little is known about those who are in the process of developing English language proficiency and what motivates them to enroll.” Multilingual learners enroll in community colleges for many reasons, including improving communication skills, preparing for careers and earning college degrees.
