English as a Second Language
What is ESL?
English as a Second Language (ESL) is intensive English language instruction by teachers trained in recognizing and working with language differences.
What is an ESL Program?
An ESL Program uses the academic and cultural experience of the student as a platform to provide the appropriate instruction in English. The ESL teacher uses strategies and methodologies appropriate to teach language arts, mathematics, science and social studies for second language acquisition.
What is the purpose of an ESL Program?
An ESL program develops competence in English and prepares the student to be successful in all academic subjects.
Who is eligible for an ESL Program?
Students in prekindergarten through high school who speak or hear a language other than English in their home and who have difficulty in English are eligible.
Who is responsible to teach in an ESL Program?
Teachers must be specially trained and certified to teach in ESL programs and meet the special language needs of these students.
How can parents become involved in the ESL program?
*Parents can volunteer for classroom activities.
*Parents can encourage their child at home to achieve, provide a
place to study and show interest in schoolwork.
*Parents can ask their child’s teacher or principal about
becoming a member of the Language Proficiency Assessment
Committee (LPAC) that determines how students will be taught.