Which term is used to describe a student whose native language is not English?

• A. English-Language Learner (ELL)
• B. Language Experience Approach (LEA)
• C. Cooperative Learning
• D. Discovery Learning

Answer: (A)

The term used to describe a student whose native language is not English is English Language Learner, often abbreviated as ELL. This label helps educators recognize that the student is in the process of developing proficiency in English while learning academic content, and it guides decisions about language support services, instruction, and accommodations. ELLs may receive targeted language development alongside regular classroom work, with strategies tailored to help them listen, speak, read, and write in English.

The other terms refer to teaching methods or approaches rather than to a student’s language background. The Language Experience Approach is a literacy method that uses a student’s own spoken experiences to create reading and writing materials. Cooperative Learning is a strategy where students work together to reach common goals. Discovery Learning emphasizes exploration and student-driven meaning-making. These are instructional approaches, not labels for students’ language status.