Advanced ESL students can do a research paper based on a language study of a particular language topic. Topics might include Old English, English vernacular in a particular area of the United States, or the history of a specific speech pattern, such as a southern accent or a particular dialect.
ESL students have been working on learning English as a second language, which means that they have a first, or native, tongue. These students can embark on a particularly in-depth translation. Topics might include portions of a famous book from their first language to translate to English, or a particular piece of literature in English to translate to their home language. As they work on a translation and write a paper about it, they are learning even more about the English language.
Many advanced ESL students are either adults or young adults ready to move out into the world. They might choose a research topic that revolves around how they can use their dual languages for a career. Careers like business, international translation and even writing might encompass both languages, so they can write their research paper about how they can use both in their future.
Since advanced ESL students have spent a long time studying their home language and English as well, they can use their knowledge to write a paper about the impacts of language on society. The way that language reflects family or community values might be appropriate topics for these students.