English as a Second Language (ESL)

Welcome multilingual learners and families!

Multilingual learners contribute to a strong academic environment, creating schools where diverse communities thrive.

Jeffco's English as a Second Language (ESL) program supports multilingual learners academically and linguistically. Teachers and tutors from the Department of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) use a range of strategies to help students who are learning English access rigorous, grade-level content while developing listening, speaking, reading and writing skills in English.

Students take specific English language arts and content-area courses that are designed to meet students’ English language development needs. Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) staff collaborate with content area teachers to ensure students are demonstrating success toward grade-level expectations.

IB aims include:

• Gain proficiency in an additional language while supporting the maintenance of students’ mother tongue and cultural heritage.
• Develop a respect for, and understanding of, diverse linguistic and cultural heritages.
• Develop the student’s communication skills necessary for further language learning, and for study, work and leisure in a range of authentic contexts and for a variety of audiences and purposes.
• Enable the student to develop multiliteracy skills through the use of a range of learning tools, such as multimedia, in the various modes of communication.
• Enable the student to develop an appreciation of a variety of literary and non-literary texts and to develop critical and creative techniques for comprehension and construction of meaning.
• Enable the student to recognize and use language as a vehicle of thought, reflection, self-expression and learning in other subjects, and as a tool for enhancing literacy.
• Enable the student to understand the nature of language and the process of language learning, which comprises the integration of linguistic, cultural and social components.
• Offer insight into the cultural characteristics of the communities where the language is spoken.
• Encourage an awareness and understanding of the perspectives of people from their own and other cultures, leading to involvement and action in their own and other communities.
• Foster curiosity, inquiry and a lifelong interest in, and enjoyment of, language learning.