English Language Learning Program

About the Program

Indian Prairie School District 204 employs a “pull-out” model for the English Language Learning (ELL) Program.  English Language Learners are completely mainstreamed into the regular classroom and are “pulled-out” for specialized instruction with an ESL and/or Bilingual teacher. 

At Longwood, there are over 90 students enrolled in the program, speaking about 25 different languages.    

Program Components

• English as a Second Language
• Bilingual Education

District 204’s Program Background

• In 1986, there were 4 English Language Learners and 0.5 ESL teachers.
• In 1996, there were 135 English Language Learners and 5 ESL teachers.
• In 2007, there were over 1,000 English Language Learners and 43 ESL and Bilingual teachers.

Helping at Home

• Continue to develop your child’s literacy in your native language.
• Speak to your child at home in your native language.
• Tell him/her stories about the history and culture of your native country.
• Read to him/her in your native language.
• Encourage your child to read to you, either in your native language or in English.
• Ask your child to tell you what he/she is learning about in school.
• The better your child’s language development in our native language is, the more successfully he/she will acquire high levels of English language proficiency. 

Reading at home is one of the best ways to develop English vocabulary, reading, and writing skills.  Watching quality television programs will improve both vocabulary and listening skills.  The Discovery Channel, the History Channel, and the Disney Channel all offer quality programming.