The history of black Americans is one that is sometimes painful and sometimes rich, but always an important part of the history of the United States. Students who are learning English as a second language, also known as ESL, or ELL (English Language Learners) can benefit from studying black history as a part of American history.

Barack Obama
As president of the United States, Barack Obama is a prime example of a successful African American, as well as an example of a successful second generation American. His father was born in Kenya, and his stepfather was Indonesian, so he attended school in Indonesia. To learn more about President Obama, ESL students can play Obama bingo. Create a bingo board with facts about him, and have the students play a game of bingo. To practice English skills, have one student call the facts, while the others read and mark their cards.

Emancipation Proclamation
An important part of African American history is the Emancipation Proclamation, which freed slaves in the United States. To honor the occasion, many people celebrate Juneteenth on June 19, the day of the proclamation. ESL students can create a Juneteenth celebration of their own, and learn about the proclamation and what it meant for people at the time.

George Washington Carver
To celebrate achievements made by African Americans in the field of science, ESL students can learn about the many inventions of George Washington Carver. Carver is known for his many inventions, including more than 300 uses for the peanut, 100 for sweet potatoes and 75 for pecans. Bring to class some of the inventions and products for which Carver contributed research, such as peanut butter, paints, peanut oil, instant coffee and shoe polish. The ESL class can discuss how George Washington Carver made our lives better, despite starting school late, at age 12. Talk to students about how Carver overcame his struggles, and relate it to the hardship that comes with learning in a new language.

Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King was a great civil rights leader. Celebrate Martin Luther King Day on the third Monday in January with recordings of his speeches, discussions of his civil rights victories and a community service activity that helps promote human rights in your town.