A study of the effectiveness in assimilation of continuing education community-based ESL classes in the life of Somali refugees and immigrants

The problem. This research paper examined a specific group of students studying English as a Second Language (ESL) in an effort to determine what features could be improved to assist them in learning English. The group studied was the Somali refugee/immigrant population in San Diego, California. The objective of this author's research was to provide school administrators and instructors with a greater understanding of the impact of their work and include recommendations regarding increasing the relevance of the ESL courses offered.; Method. The main research instrument was a survey that was distributed to a group of Somali students taking continuing education ESL classes at a free, community-based mid-city location in San Diego. The survey asked a total of 49 questions, with 18 questions designed to discover demographic data, 29 Likert-based questions split into four sections. The Likert-based questions asked the respondents to evaluate the importance of a variety of elements inside and outside the ESL classroom on a four-point scale. The last page included one question inquiring the areas where the respondents spoke English outside of the classroom and two qualitative questions about students' opinions on their ESL classes and how to improve them.; Results. The respondents felt that features available within the classroom were the most important to their success in learning English. The respondents emphasize the role of the teacher in the classroom and considered the teacher to be the most important element. They also saw the ESL classroom as their main source of language acquisition and the place where they practiced English.; In order to assist these students in their efforts to learn English, it would be advisable to create more community-based ESL classes. Community based ESL classes can generate an environment where students have more access to teachers outside the classroom. Within the ESL classroom the opportunities for students to practice their English may increase by the introduction of more study groups and classroom discussions.