ESL Quick Information Page

Who is an English Language Learner (ELL)?

A child who does NOT speak English OR whose native language is NOT English.

Who is a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) student?

An ELL who has scored at the Beginning, Early Intermediate or Intermediate level on state (MEPA, MELA-O) and/or local (IPT) English language proficiency assessments. These students are unable to understand or accomplish most classroom work in English.

Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)

SEI is the required program model for LEPs.

SEI has two components;

English Language Development (ELD) instruction – ELL teacher

Sheltered Content Instruction (also referred to as SEI) – classroom teacher

English as a Second Language (ESL) also known as English Language Development Instruction (ELD)

ELD is explicit, direct instruction intended to promote English language acquisition. It is designed to develop reading, writing, speaking and listening comprehension skills. It’s curriculum is based on the English Language Proficiency Benchmarks and Outcomes (ELPBO), which is aligned to the MA English Language Curriculum Frameworks. The ELPBO is available on DESE’s website and in your ELL coordinator’s office. ELD instruction is provided by the ELL coordinator/teacher in pull-out small groups in K-8 and in (ESL) classes at the high school.

The DESE recommends that LEPs receive the following amount of ELD/ESL:

o Beginner and Early Intermediate - 2 ½ hours per day.

o Intermediate - 1-2 hours per day.

o Transitioning – as needed, but mostly in sheltered classroom and monitored by ELL teacher.

Our bottom line minimum is:

Beginners and Early Intermediates - 1.5 hrs. per day /7.5 hrs per week

Intermediates – 1 hr. per day/5 hrs. per week

What is Sheltered Content Instruction?

Sheltered content instruction includes approaches, strategies and methodology that make content comprehensible to LEPs. Lessons plans include language objectives (including content vocabulary) and content objectives. Training in sheltered content instruction is required and is the content of DESE Category 2 SEI training, Sheltering Content Instruction.

Frequently Asked Questions about

English as a Second Language (ESL)

What level is my student?

The level is determined by the Massachusetts English Proficiency Assessment (MEPA). This assessment is done annually, and sometimes biannually. The results are sent to the schools, to the ELL coordinator and to the parents/guardians. YourK-8 ELL coordinator (or at the high school; Guidance) will provide you with your students’ proficiency levels.

If the student is missing class time to go to ELD class, can the student make up the work at the lesson?

No. ELD instruction time is a class with language objectives and curriculum as opposed to support time, however, especially at the intermediate level, the ELL teacher will work with you to incorporate classroom content into the ELD instruction. Newcomers and beginners need all of their ELD time to focus on language learning.

Can the ELL teacher come into my class to help my student, instead of taking them out of the room?

Classroom “push in time” may be negotiated between the classroom teacher and the ELL teacher, but does not take the place of ELD instruction.

Why is my student receiving ELD instruction with a child from another grade?

Instruction is delivered according to English language proficiency level as opposed to age or grade level. Wherever schedules allow, students are grouped across grade levels.