ELL means English Language Learners.

The goal of our ELL program is to promote the academic achievement and English language proficiency of the English Language Learners at Longfellow Humanities Magnet School.  ELL students are supported in a variety of ways. The ELL teachers at Longfelow collaborate with classroom teachers to support the district curriculum in literacy and in math.

Below is a general outline of second language acquisition and literacy instruction as it applies to elementary ELL students:

• There will be many individual variations.
  
• Language acquisition is not a steady, linear process. Students may appear to make rapid gains at times and progress slowly at other times.
  
• Students may be at different stages of acquisition in different modes (listening, speaking, reading, writing) of language.
  
• Usually, students reach proficiency in the different modes in this order: listening, speaking, reading, writing.
  
• Elementary students learn informal oral language quickly. However, they generally need many years to develop and gain proficiency in academic language use.
  
• It is very beneficial for students to learn to read and write in their native language.
  
• Literacy skills in another language can strengthen skills and strategies in learning English.
  
• Literacy instruction is most effective at the ELL student's instructional level, regardless of grade level.