English Learning (EL)

What is English Learning?

Homewood School District 153 strives to provide support services for all students in order to achieve in all academic areas. English Learning (EL) services are provided for students who speak more than one language in the home, with English being the second language learned. EL is often also referred to as ESL, or English as a Second Language.

Students, from preschool through 8th grade, who are identified as English Learners work with the EL teacher up to ten times weekly. Students may meet with the teacher in a one-on-one setting or in small groups. Sometimes, the EL teacher even works in the child's homeroom to support academic learning.

Each January, all students identified as English Learners will take the ACCESS test. This series of assessments track students' growth and mastery of the English language in four areas. The areas tested are listening, speaking, reading and writing. Questions on the assessments cover a range of material from mathematics to science to social studies. The results from this assessment are received and delivered in May.

Interpretation services are available at IEP meetings for parents whose native language is other than English, or who are deaf, to assist with participation in the meeting. If you would like an interpreter at your child’s IEP meeting, please request an interpreter by completing a Request for Interpreter Form below or by contacting Morgan Koncel at [email protected] or 708-647-2222. You have the right to request that the interpreter serve no other role in the IEP meeting other than as an interpreter and the District will make reasonable efforts to fulfill this request. Please contact Morgan Koncel at [email protected] or 708-647-2222 if you have any questions or complaints about interpretation services.