What Is ELL/ESL (English Language Learner)?
A student whose first language is not English and who is in the process of developing English language proficiency.
An English Language Learner (ELL) — also called English Learner (EL), English as a Second Language (ESL) student, or Emergent Bilingual — is a student whose primary language is not English and who is developing English proficiency. Different states use different terms: ELL, EL, ENL (New York), ESOL (Florida).
ELL students are entitled to language support services under federal law (Title III of ESSA and Lau v. Nichols). Schools must identify ELL students, provide appropriate language instruction, and monitor their progress toward English proficiency.
Teachers support ELL students through strategies like visual aids, sentence stems, cognate awareness, simplified language (not simplified content), cooperative learning, and extended processing time. Effective ELL instruction builds both content knowledge and language skills simultaneously.
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Try the Differentiation HelperRelated Terms
Accommodations
Changes to how a student accesses or demonstrates learning without altering the content or expectations. The standard stays the same; the path changes.
Differentiated Instruction
An approach to teaching that adapts content, process, product, or learning environment based on individual student needs, readiness, interests, and learning profiles.
Scaffolding
Temporary instructional supports that help students accomplish tasks they cannot yet do independently, gradually removed as competence increases.
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