English as a Second Language

  • Elementary Esl Services in Lisd

    QUALIFYING FOR ESL SERVICES

    All Texas schools follow the same guidelines for identification of students for ESL services. The Texas English Learner Portal designed by TEA provides information for parents about these processes, including an overview of the identification process, explanation of the language assessments administered throughout the year, and answers to frequently asked questions.

    The ESL Program Parent Brochure provided by TEA is available to download as a PDF in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. To download a copy of this resource, please choose a language: English, Spanish, or Vietnamese.

    In LISD, ESL program processes may occur at our campuses and our district offices. We provide the Pk/K LAS and LAS Links 1st through 5th language proficiency assessments at our campuses and at our Welcome Center. This assessment is used to identify students for language program services and may also be administered to assess language progress. For more information about this assessment, please contact your child's school or contact Community Services at the LISD Welcome Center. 

     

    ESL SERVICES PROVIDED IN ACCORDANCE WITH TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE CHAPTER 89

    In LISD, all Emergent Bilingual (EB) students receive ESL services in accordance with Texas Administrative Code Chapter 89 regarding ESL program requirements. 

    • ESL students receive ESL services from their ESL certified classroom teacher.
    • Teachers support ESL students’ affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs.
    • Teachers provide instruction in the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) with linguistic support outlined in the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS).

    Please visit TAC Chapter 89 to learn more about Texas requirements for ESL program services.

     

    CONTENT-BASED ESL SERVICES PROVIDED BY CLASSROOM TEACHERS TRAINED IN SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION STRATEGIES

    All Emergent Bilingual students receive ESL services from one or more ESL certified teachers using a content-based ESL service model to provide targeted and intentional academic language instruction to develop proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in the English language. In addition, all teachers of EBs receive training in research-based Sheltered Instruction strategies designed to support second language acquisition and the development of academic language in all content areas (reading/language arts, writing, math, science, social studies). Many of the instructional strategies our teachers implement within the classroom come from the sources below.

     

    SUPPLEMENTAL ESL SUPPORT SERVICES PROVIDED BY LANGUAGE ACQUISITION SPECIALISTS

    Language Acquisition Specialists provide ESL Support Services to classroom teachers through supplemental curriculum and instructional resources/materials,  coaching cycles and data analysis specifically designed to meet the needs of Emergent Bilingual students. Click here to contact your school's Language Acquisition Specialist for guidance.

     

    ESL SERVICES PROVIDED IN CONJUNCTION WITH ALL OTHER SPECIAL PROGRAMS

    All EBs have opportunities to participate in courses that are designated as General Education, Special Education, and Gifted/Talented with integrated linguistic support. For more information about the special programs and available courses at your school, please visit your school’s website.

     

    ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

    In addition to the courses that we offer during the school year, LISD provides a summer language enrichment program, The Newcomer Immigrant Summer Academy (NISA), for EB students completing grades 1st through 4th. This is a structured, project-based, language-intensive program that provides students with the opportunity to continue building language skills throughout the month of June. For more information about this opportunity, please contact your campus Language Acquisition Specialist. 

    LISD's English as a Second Language (ESL) program includes both Dual Language and Spanish Immersion students, but also students whose primary language is any language other than English. Students whose home language survey states any language other than English and have qualified as English Limited Proficient are included in LISD's ESL program. 

    For more details about ESL, see the program requirements as defined by TEA here. 

     

    RESOURCES FOR PARENTS & FAMILIES

    Relevant information and accessible resources for parents and families of Emergent Bilingual students to support the education of their child.

    Visit our Elementary ESL Program Newsletter to stay connected.

    For more information, contact elementaryesl@lisd.net

     

    JOIN OUR ELEMENTARY ESL TEAM

    If you are interested in joining Lewisville ISD's Elementary ESL Department as an ESL Paraprofessional or Language Acquisition Specialist, please visit the LISD Employee Services page for available positions and application processes.

    Please contact the Elementary ESL Department for more information about our linguistically accommodated curriculum, second language acquisition instructional strategies, professional learning opportunities and the ESL certification process.