English Language Learners, or ELL, is a program designed to meet the needs of students whose first language is not English.  Students are assessed when they register, if parents indicate that another language is spoken in their home.  There is a continuum of services provided to students, depending on how well they are able to speak, read, write and listen in English.  Bilingual Education is teaching students in Spanish and English, building upon their first language before transitioning to English as an academic language.

• Kindergartners and First Grades who attend North Grove Elementary and qualify based on need will have an opportunity for Bilingual Education in Reading.  This will be 90 minutes of reading instruction in Spanish in the mornings along with vocabulary building.  Students will be taught to read in Spanish first, and literacy skills learned will be transferred to English when students show they are ready.  They will spend the rest of their day in the regular classroom with their peers, in English instruction with support.
• Students at the elementary level who require ELL support will work with a certified teacher ELL teacher who is also fluent in Spanish with support from a paraprofessional providing instruction to support them as they learn English.  Some Spanish may be used to support them, too.
• Students at the middle school who require ELL Support will have one to two class periods taught by a certified ELL teacher, who is also fluent in Spanish.
• Students at the high school who require ELL Support will have one class period taught by a certified ELL teacher, who is also fluent in Spanish.
• In all ELL classes, emphasis is on learning English vocabulary, reading, and writing in English.  In addition, pre-teaching of concepts is done to help students develop academic vocabulary and understanding. 

For questions regarding Sycamore Schools’ ELL/Bilingual Programs, contact Jane Dargatz, Director of Students Services at 899-8100.