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History of CAELA


CAELA is housed at the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL). For 15 years, from 1989-2004, CAL was home to the National Center for ESL Literacy Education (NCLE), the only national center in the United States that focused on adult ESL language and literacy issues. NCLE served as a central resource for information, research, technical assistance, and publications for the adult ESL profession and the public at large.

In October 2004, CAL received funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Vocational and Adult Education to operate the Center for Adult English Language Acquisition (CAELA) for three years (October 2004-September 2007).

The purpose of the Center is to assist states with emerging populations who are learning English as a second language (ESL). Center staff will work with state representatives so that they will have the capacity to promote the English language learning and academic achievement of adults learning English.