English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides English language instruction that will allow a student to gain improved proficiency in listening, speaking, writing, reading and comprehension so that they can experience success in their content courses and in social contexts both inside and outside of school. Students from other cultures often become acclimated to U.S. culture through language-based instruction. The Georgia Department of Education provides the following guidelines for identifying students who may be identified as an English Language Learner (ELL):

• Students whose native/home/first language is other than English

• Students who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing or understanding the English language to the extent that their language skills would be a barrier to their success in the classroom

ESOL Goals:

• The ESOL teachers work in collaboration with classroom and other special programs teachers to support the acquisition of language and content skills.

• The ESOL program promotes each student's appreciation of their ability to perform a wide variety of intellectual and physical activities.

• The ESOL program encourages the student's positive recognition of a variety of cultures, recognizing similarities and differences.