For the 2007-2008 school year, the Connecticut State Department of Education reported that more than 72,000 students (13%) were dominant in a language other than English. Of these students, 41 percent (29,879 students) were identified as English language learners (ELLs), meaning that they are eligible for English language services provided by their school district. The number of students in need of language support services has grown in the past few years.
The state has identified several types of programs that can be offered to ELL students, including bilingual education, English as a second language (ESL) programs, language transition support services, sheltered English, English immersion, and dual language programs. This brief describes these programs and outlines examples of ELL strategies used in Connecticut schools.
