Teaching students for whom English is a second language.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Linguistic Challenges in Academia

Background:

• Growing number of English as a Second Language (ESL) students in nursing programs.
• ESL students contribute to professional diversity but face language barriers.
• Language difficulties can impact academic achievement in nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the challenges faced by ESL nursing students.
• To inform nurse educators about potential academic and retention issues.
• To advocate for early and appropriate retention interventions for ESL students.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of ESL student experiences in nursing academic settings.
• Review of existing literature on language acquisition and academic performance in higher education.
• Case study approach examining retention strategies for diverse student populations.

Main Results:

• ESL students encounter specific linguistic hurdles in nursing coursework and clinical settings.
• These challenges can negatively affect academic performance and progression.
• Proactive and tailored support is essential for ESL student retention.

Conclusions:

• Nurse educators must recognize and address the distinct language needs of ESL students.
• Implementing targeted retention interventions can improve academic outcomes.
• Supporting ESL students is vital for maintaining diversity and quality in the nursing profession.