Welcome MULtilingual Learners and Families!
Multilingual learners contribute to a strong academic environment, creating schools where diverse communities thrive.
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Jeffco's 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.
Dual Language
Jeffco’s Dual Language programs enhance the development of content and literacy in both English and Spanish so students will graduate ready for college, career, and life in a globally competitive economy and a collaborative international community. This unique program builds students’ linguistic skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing in both languages. Students learn standards-based content as they become linguistically and academically proficient in two languages.
Program Goals
Jeffco’s mission is to provide a world-class education that prepares all students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. To support these outcomes, staff from the Department of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE) work with schools and students to ensure that:
- Multilingual learners develop high levels of English language proficiency
- Multilingual learners perform at academic levels similar to their English proficient peers across content areas
- Schools across Jeffco engage with families in ways that are inclusive and culturally-aware
ESL Programming
Elementary
All Jeffco elementary schools offer English language development support for students who are learning English. CLDE teachers and tutors support students’ English language development, typically within the general education classroom. Students benefit from ESL strategies to help them access grade-level content area learning, and CLDE staff collaborate with classroom teachers to ensure multilingual learners are demonstrating success toward grade-level expectations.
Secondary
At the secondary level (middle and high schools), students take specific English language arts and content-area courses that are designed to meet students’ English language development needs. ESL courses are available either in-person or online, and count toward high school graduation requirements. CLDE staff collaborate with content area teachers to ensure students are demonstrating success toward grade-level expectations.
Multilingual Learner Online 6-12 Academy
The Multilingual Learner Online 6-12 Academy is an online program offered to all English language learners as an online option for enrollment in an ESL English class or a content area class that is not offered at their home school location. For more information, see the Multilingual Learner Online 6-12 Academy webpage.