The Mount Laurel School District is committed to providing the instruction and support our English Language Learners (ELLs) need to succeed academically while developing English language proficiency. We ensure our emergent multilingual students receive equitable access to the learning opportunities provided by the district. Our ESL program is designed to foster students’ academic, linguistic, personal and social growth.
The Mount Laurel School District recognizes the unique learning needs of ELLs and provides language assistant services as required by the New Jersey Department of Education Title III and Bilingual/ESL Education unit.
The Mount Laurel School District’s ESL Program supports ELLs through the use of effective instructional practices, resources, and professional staff development. The program’s identification and assessment process, curriculum, and instructional practices are reviewed annually.
Specialized instruction is delivered through the district’s English as a Second Language Program and includes the following:
- Focus on basic interpersonal communication skills and cognitive academic language proficiency
- Supports English reading, writing, speaking and listening
- Taught by a certified ESL Teacher
- Includes various ESL program models such as co-teaching, push-in small-group work, and pull-out programs
- Provides ELLs with at least one period of English language support every day
- Differentiated based on English language proficiency (ELP). Lower ELP students may receive more program services than higher ELP students.
- Aligns the Board-approved ESL curriculum with the WIDA English Language Development Standards and supports ELLs’ ability to access the content and language of their subject-area classes.
Please refer to the district's ESL Handbook for information on identification, instruction & assessment, exit criteria, and other important program guidance.