• Here is a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the School District of Clayton's English Language Development (ELD) program:
       

      • What does the acronym EL and ML stand for?

        • EL stands for English Learner and ML stands for Multilingual Learner.   Both are acronyms for students learning English in K-12 schools in Missouri.  Other acronyms are ELL (English Language Learner), LEP (Limited English Proficient), ESL (English as a Second Language), ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language).

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      • What is the definition of English Learner (EL)?

        • An EL is a student whose home language is not English and whose difficulties in speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language are sufficient to require support to learn successfully in an English-speaking-only classroom.

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      • How is the Clayton English Language Program structured?

        • The K-12 Clayton EL Program provides EL services based on a student's level of English language proficiency. An EL teacher is assigned to each school and may have additional support depending on numbers and proficiency levels of students. EL teachers provide support for students and teachers in the regular classroom. EL students also come to the EL classroom for individualized or small-group instruction in speaking, listening, reading and writing. The EL Program also organizes parent education programs, coffees and social activities for international families. The EL Program promotes and facilitates student and family engagement in school activities.

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      • How long does it take to achieve English language proficiency?

        • It takes English Learners one or two years to achieve basic social English, and five to seven years to develop academic English.

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      • What does the EL teacher do?

        • EL teachers plan and teach English lessons; provide extra materials and support for learning in the regular classroom; help students and parents adjust to and participate in the new school culture; provide information for the school faculty about the EL's level of English language proficiency and necessary background information; act as a liaison in home/school communication; help provide interpreters upon request; and can provide data, research and resources related to English language learning issues. EL teachers are also responsible for identifying EL students, measuring academic and language growth, and administering federal- and state-mandated English language assessments.