Listen
20 Student Voices
Anonymous survey responses explored ESL students’ experiences with language barriers, confidence, understanding of the U.S. school system, and participation in advanced courses.
A student-led research & community impact project
Beyond the
Language Barrier
Understanding How the U.S. School System Shapes ESL Students’ Confidence and Participation in Advanced Courses.
This research project explores the challenges ESL students face as they adjust to the U.S. school system and consider Advanced Placement courses. Through student surveys, teacher interviews, and a review of existing research, it examines how language barriers, academic guidance, school support, and understanding of the U.S. education system can affect students’ confidence and participation in AP courses. The project identifies key barriers and suggests ways schools can better support ESL students and help them reach their academic goals.
About Me
The student behind Beyond the Language Barrier
I am César Ledezma, a high school student who arrived in the United States four years ago. My experience learning how to navigate an unfamiliar school system as an immigrant and ESL student became the inspiration for this project.
I quickly learned that adjusting to a new school system involves much more than learning English. While learning a new language, I also had to understand a different academic system, new expectations, and unfamiliar terms that were never part of my previous education.
As I began to understand how the U.S. school system worked and became more aware of the opportunities available to students, I began to wonder how many other English learners were facing the same questions and challenges. That question inspired me to investigate their experiences and better understand the barriers that may affect their confidence and access to advanced courses.
Concepts students may need to learn
- GPA
- Course levels
- Advanced Placement courses
- Graduation requirements
- Academic opportunities
- Extracurricular opportunities
- College preparation
César Ledezma
High school student · Student Researcher
About the Project
Beyond the Language Barrier
A student-led research project exploring how understanding the U.S. school system shapes ESL students’ confidence and participation in advanced academic courses.
Why this project?
For immigrant and ESL students entering an unfamiliar school system, learning English is only one part of the transition. Students must also learn how GPA, course levels, academic expectations, Advanced Placement courses, and available support work. Without clear information and guidance, navigating these unfamiliar structures may affect students’ confidence and the academic choices they make. Beyond the Language Barrier was created to better understand these challenges and how they may influence participation in advanced academic courses.
Learn
Educator Perspectives
Interviews with two ESL educators provided additional insight into the academic, language, and transition challenges students may face while navigating the U.S. school system.
Research
15 Academic Sources
Existing research was reviewed to compare students’ experiences with findings from previous studies on English learners, academic guidance, and participation in advanced coursework.
Act
From Research to Action
The findings were translated into practical recommendations and student-led efforts designed to help ESL students better understand academic opportunities and available support.
Research Paper
Research Paper
Beyond the Language Barrier is built around a formal research paper that combines student survey responses, interviews with ESL educators, and a review of existing academic research.
RESEARCH QUESTION
“How does unfamiliarity with the U.S. education system—including AP courses, GPA, academic expectations, and available support—affect the confidence and participation of immigrant and ESL students in advanced high school classes?”
César Ledezma · Beyond the Language Barrier · Student research
Read the Full Research Paper Download PDFComing Soon
Introduction
Introduces the challenges ESL students may face when adjusting to the U.S. school system and understanding academic expectations and opportunities. It also presents the main research question.
Literature Review
Reviews previous research on English learners, language development, student confidence, school support, and participation in advanced courses.
Methodology
Explains how the study was conducted using a survey of 20 high school students, interviews with two ESL educators, and a review of academic research.
Results
Presents the main findings from the student survey and educator interviews, including language barriers, confidence, school-system understanding, and decisions about advanced courses.
Discussion
Explains what the findings mean and how language, information, confidence, and school support may influence students’ decisions about advanced courses.
Recommendations
Suggests practical ways schools can better support ESL students through clearer information, guidance, peer support, family involvement, and language support.
Implementation Through Together We Grow & ESL Connect
Shows how some of the research recommendations can be put into practice through student resources, peer support, workshops, and community outreach.
Limitations
Explains the limits of the study, including the small group of students surveyed, self-reported responses, and the limited number of educator interviews.
Conclusion
Summarizes the main idea: ESL students may need more than language support. Clear information, guidance, and encouragement can help them make informed academic choices and approach advanced courses with greater confidence.
Research Findings
What the Research Revealed
Student survey responses and educator interviews highlighted patterns related to confidence, language barriers, understanding of the U.S. school system, access to information, school encouragement, and decisions about Advanced Placement courses.
20
Students Surveyed
Anonymous high school student responses
2
Educators Interviewed
Experienced ESL educator perspectives
90%
Felt Unsure About AP
18 of 20 students reported having felt unsure about enrolling in AP courses
65%
Chose Not to Take an Advanced Class
13 of 20 students had decided not to take an advanced class because of fear, language barriers, or lack of information
AP Knowledge & Uncertainty
Survey responses, n = 20.
55%
Did not understand AP or advanced courses before entering high school
90%
Had felt unsure about enrolling in AP courses
65%
Had avoided an advanced class because of fear, language barriers, or lack of information
Confidence in Advanced Coursework
Concerns about advanced classes
Low confidence65%
Fear of failing60%
English not strong enough50%
Did not understand how AP or advanced classes work35%
Did not understand GPA10%
Workload concerns5%
Multiple responses permitted · n = 20
Confidence distribution (1–5)
3.1 out of 5
Average confidence score · n = 20
Language Barriers
85%
Reported that language barriers affected their academic performance
Reported impact on performance
Significantly35%
Somewhat50%
No impact15%
Largest current challenge
Fear of failing40%
Language25%
Understanding classes10%
Lack of information10%
Other individual responses15%
Understanding the U.S. School System
How well do you understand the U.S. school system, including GPA, AP classes, and credits? (n = 20)
Very well35%
Somewhat55%
Not really10%
Not at all0%
Most students reported at least some understanding of the system, but only 35% said they understood it very well.
Where Students Get Information
Friends90%
Teachers70%
Internet60%
Counselors40%
Family25%
Multiple responses permitted · n = 20
What Would Increase Confidence?
Clear explanations about AP classes60%
Help from other students / peer support55%
Guidance from counselors50%
Bilingual resources45%
Workshops or presentations40%
Multiple responses permitted · n = 20
School Encouragement
Do you feel that your school has encouraged you to take AP classes? (n = 20)
25%
Felt clearly encouraged by their school to take AP courses
Yes25%
Somewhat35%
No40%
Perceived Academic Opportunity
Do you feel you have the same academic opportunities as non-immigrant students? (n = 20)
Yes30%
Somewhat40%
No30%
Interest in Future AP Participation
80%
Either planned to take AP or were considering it
50%
Planned to take AP in the future
Yes50%
Maybe30%
No10%
Do not know10%
Key Themes
Understanding the School System
Students may need to understand GPA, credits, course levels, AP options, and academic pathways while adapting to a new environment.
Language Barriers
Language barriers affected the academic performance of many students.
Confidence
Fear of failure and low confidence were among the most commonly reported concerns.
Access to Information
Students frequently relied on friends, teachers, and the internet to understand school options.
School Encouragement
Students reported different levels of encouragement to consider Advanced Placement coursework.
Interest in Advanced Coursework
Despite reported barriers, many students planned to take AP or were considering doing so.
Perspectives from Educators
Two experienced ESL educators were interviewed to better understand the academic and emotional challenges students may experience while adapting to the U.S. school system.
Confidence and Support Matter
One educator emphasized that ESL students are often adjusting to a new language, school, community, and academic environment at the same time. She identified confidence as an important factor when students consider AP courses and stressed the importance of teachers recognizing students’ potential, providing encouragement, and building supportive relationships.
Understanding the System Matters
The second educator emphasized that ESL students need to understand how the U.S. school system works, including grades, GPA, academic pathways, and future opportunities. She also identified English proficiency, family support, peers, and student motivation as important factors when students consider AP courses.
Final takeaway
What the Findings Suggest
The student survey and educator interviews suggest that language is only one part of the challenges ESL students may face when considering advanced courses. Confidence, understanding of the U.S. school system, access to information, encouragement, and support also emerged as important themes. Despite these challenges, many students showed interest in taking AP courses in the future. Together, these findings suggest that clearer information, guidance, and appropriate academic and language support may help ESL students feel more informed and confident when considering advanced academic opportunities.
Educational Resources
Resources for Students & Families
One goal of Beyond the Language Barrier is to transform research into practical resources that help multilingual students navigate the U.S. educational system. The resources below provide accessible information and guidance for students and families on topics related to course selection, AP courses, academic opportunities, and understanding the school system.
For Students
Understanding GPA
What GPA means, how it is calculated, and why it matters.
For Students
Understanding AP Courses
What AP courses are, how they work, and who can take them.
For Students
Choosing Classes
How course levels work and how to choose classes that fit your goals.
For Families
Annual Student Update Guide
A step-by-step guide to help families complete the Annual Student Update.
For Students
Finding Academic Opportunities
How to find opportunities, ask questions, and get involved.
For Families
Tips for Parents
Practical ways to support and encourage your child in advanced courses.
For Educators
Recommendations for Teachers
Practical ways to encourage and support ESL students in advanced courses.
For Students & Families
Questions to Ask Your Counselor
Helpful questions students and families can bring to a counselor meeting.
Community Impact
From Research to Action
Beyond the Language Barrier turns research findings into practical action through Together We Grow & ESL Connect. Through student-led activities, the project shares academic information, supports students and families, and extends outreach across the Katy ISD community. As club president, I help organize these efforts and work with other members to make information about the U.S. school system and academic opportunities easier to understand and access.
36
Club Members
≈200
Katy ISD Community Event Attendees
≈50
Participants Reached at Community Event
Nearly 1,000
Instagram Followers
Research→Student Support & Guidance→Family & School Outreach→Community Engagement→Student Outreach→Digital Outreach
01 — Student Support & Guidance
Ongoing Support at School
Through Together We Grow & ESL Connect, students receive information and guidance about classes, AP opportunities, school resources, and navigating the U.S. school system. The club currently has 36 members and meets every two weeks after school. Students with specific questions are also welcome to seek guidance even if they are not club members.
36 club members · Meets every two weeks
02 — Family & School Outreach
Connecting With Families at Cross Elementary
April 2026Together We Grow & ESL Connect was invited to participate in a community event at Cross Elementary in Katy ISD, representing Tompkins High School. Club members interacted with children and parents while sharing information related to Beyond the Language Barrier, including course selection, AP courses, and academic opportunities. Approximately 200 people attended the event.
≈200 people attended · Cross Elementary — Katy ISD
03 — Community Engagement
Taking Academic Information Into the Community
April 2026Together We Grow & ESL Connect was invited to participate in a community event hosted by American Legion Post 164. Club members shared information related to the project with children and families, helping extend academic guidance beyond the school setting. Approximately 50 participants received information during the event.
≈50 participants reached · American Legion Post 164
04 — Student Outreach
Connecting With New Students
For two consecutive years, Together We Grow & ESL Connect has participated in the annual Club Expo at Tompkins High School. Through the event, club members connect with students, including incoming students, answer questions, share information about available support and opportunities, and introduce them to the club and its mission.
2 consecutive years · Annual Club Expo
05 — Digital Outreach
Extending Support Online
Together We Grow & ESL Connect also uses Instagram to share academic information, opportunities, resources, activities, and upcoming events. With a growing community of nearly 1,000 followers, the platform helps extend access to useful information beyond in-person meetings and events.
Nearly 1,000 followers
Connected Initiative
Together We Grow & ESL Connect
Together We Grow & ESL Connect is a student-led organization at Tompkins High School that supports students through academic guidance, leadership, service, and school involvement.
“Inspired by the experiences of multilingual students, Together We Grow is a student-led organization that helps students build confidence, discover opportunities, and make a positive impact through mentorship, leadership, and service. Every student deserves the opportunity to belong, grow, and succeed.”
THE CONNECTION
From Research to Practice
Together We Grow provides a way to put recommendations from Beyond the Language Barrier into practice at Tompkins High School. Through educational resources, workshops, student support, and academic guidance, the club works to make the school system and academic opportunities easier for ESL students to understand and navigate.
@togetherwegrowoths
Follow the club on Instagram for updates, activities, and announcements.
Photo & Video Gallery
Project in Action
School activities, community events, club activities, research presentations, educational outreach, interviews, workshops, and project milestones will be documented here. More media will be added as the project continues.
Contact
Connect With the Project
Students, families, educators, schools, and organizations interested in learning more about Beyond the Language Barrier or its educational resources are welcome to reach out.
Project email
cesarmiguel.ledezma@gmail.comTogether We Grow
@togetherwegrowoths