The English as a Second Language program responds to the needs of English Language Learners in an effort to provide optimal educational opportunities for them. The program provides the following:

• Specialized instruction that develops the students’ abilities to read, write, speak and understand English.
  
• Preparation for students to participate fully in the curriculum of the school.
  
• Support for the maintenance of the students’ first language and pride in the cultural heritage of each student.

The English as a Second Language program responds to the needs of English Language Learners in an effort to provide optimal educational opportunities for them. The program provides the following:

• Specialized instruction that develops the students’ abilities to read, write, speak and understand English.
  
• Preparation for students to participate fully in the curriculum of the school.
  
• Support for the maintenance of the students’ first language and pride in the cultural heritage of each student.

(as of 11/18/08)

• Approximately 6,200 students in the ESL program in grades Pre-K through 12
  
• 87 different languages spoken by ESL students
  
• 89 % of the students speak Spanish
  
• 5 % of the students speak Nuer
  
• Other languages spoken include: Karen, Vietnamese, Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, French, Korean, Dinka, Laotian, Philippino, Somalian,, etc.,
  

All OPS schools have the capacity to serve ESL students.

(as of 11/18/08)

• Approximately 6,200 students in the ESL program in grades Pre-K through 12
  
• 87 different languages spoken by ESL students
  
• 89 % of the students speak Spanish
  
• 5 % of the students speak Nuer
  
• Other languages spoken include: Karen, Vietnamese, Arabic, Chinese, Hmong, Russian, French, Korean, Dinka, Laotian, Philippino, Somalian,, etc.,
  

All OPS schools have the capacity to serve ESL students.

• Language assessment and placement in ESL program, if eligible.
  
• Students receive specialized instruction in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English from trained ESL teachers and paraprofessionals.
  
• After school and Saturday enrichment classes for ESL students provided in targeted schools.
  
• Utilization of a Balanced Literacy Approach – Elementary ESL students participate in guided reading lessons at their instructional level.
  
• Summer School for ESL and Migrant students.
  
• Family Resource Centers in 20 schools

• Language assessment and placement in ESL program, if eligible.
  
• Students receive specialized instruction in reading, writing, speaking and listening in English from trained ESL teachers and paraprofessionals.
  
• After school and Saturday enrichment classes for ESL students provided in targeted schools.
  
• Utilization of a Balanced Literacy Approach – Elementary ESL students participate in guided reading lessons at their instructional level.
  
• Summer School for ESL and Migrant students.
  
• Family Resource Centers in 20 schools

• Newcomer and Teen Literacy Program for high school students at the Career Center.
• Migrant Education Programming.
• ESL Classes for parents in targeted schools/Parent School Partnership.
• Family Resource Centers at selected schools.

• Newcomer and Teen Literacy Program for high school students at the Career Center.
• Migrant Education Programming.
• ESL Classes for parents in targeted schools/Parent School Partnership.
• Family Resource Centers at selected schools.

• Survival Spanish Classes for School Administrators, Teachers and Staff.
• Training in ESL methodology to staff including conferences in ESL sponsored in the fall and spring. 

• Survival Spanish Classes for School Administrators, Teachers and Staff.
• Training in ESL methodology to staff including conferences in ESL sponsored in the fall and spring.