Immigration is an example of global mobility to developed nations such as Australia. Each year thousands of migrants from different parts of the world move here. Using a sociocultural framework, this article reports on English as a Second Language (ESL) parents' views on the role and importance of English in the learning and lives of their children. It also reports on their understandings of how English should be taught. The article draws on data from a doctoral research study, which explores parents' and teachers' perspectives on the literacy learning of ESL children at primary school in Victoria. The parent participants were well-educated and bilingual from five different language backgrounds. They had high academic aspirations for their children. Qualitative data include a questionnaire and individual interviews with newly-arrived parents of children at a government school in suburban Melbourne. The findings show that parents see English as essential for their children to know the world and to fit into global society. These parents encourage their children to learn English and to learn through English. Parents need, however, to make considerable adjustments in their understanding of how literacy in English is included in the school curriculum.