MCAEL creates lasting results

MCAEL's efforts create lasting results for both learners and Montgomery County residents, businesses and schools.

Communities across the United States are being reshaped by demographic change. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) instruction has been shown to have a positive impact on individuals, families, and the larger community which includes both recent immigrants and long-time residents. Through increasing access to English instruction and strengthening ESOL programs, MCAEL is able to support adult English language learners to further their success at work, school, and in the community.

How We Meet the Need

The need for English language learning opportunities is great. More than 139,000 adults (18+) report that they speak English less than “very well”. (Source: American Community Survey, 2022 5-year estimate.) MCAEL collects, analyzes, and maps data from adult ESOL programs in the county to see how our coalition is meeting the need for English instruction. Our StoryMap gives an overview of the landscape of adult ESOL, where our successes are, and where there are gaps to fill.

MCAEL 2023-24 Data Presentation →

To help us identify areas in the county on which to focus, MCAEL has developed an interactive mapping tool, which utilizes U.S. Census data on adult ability to speak English, household income, and race and ethnicity. This tool is adapted from Montgomery Planning’s Equity Focus Areas Analysis.

MCAEL Equity Focus Areas →

Increasing Access

MCAEL works to increase access to English instruction for county residents. For FY24 (2023-24), the MCAEL Grants Program awarded $1,425,000 in grant funding, supporting 697 classes (327 online, 306 in-person, 64 Hybrid) attended by 5,859 unique learners. These grants supported a wide range of classes from formal, to drop-in and conversation classes.

Current MCAEL Grant Recipients →

Quality Instruction

MCAEL provides diverse continuous professional development opportunities for program administrators and instructors. In FY24 (2023-24) administrators and instructors attended:

7 workshops for instructors (176 attendees)
4 Topics in Program Administration meetings for program managers. (74 attendees)
2 Network Meetings focused on non-ESOL resources to support our learner communities. (56 attendees)
3 Cohorts of the Foundations for Adult ESOL Instruction course (66 course completions)
Professional Development Conference (9 workshops, 100 attendees)

View MCAEL 2023-24 PD & Training →