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English Learner (EL)

Welcome to our program dedicated to supporting English Learners (ELs)! At TMSA Triad Elementary, we believe that the multilingualism our students bring to our school is a valuable asset that enriches our entire community.
Our goal is to ensure all English Learners develop strong English proficiency while mastering grade-level academic standards and maintaining pride in their cultural and linguistic identities.

The Identification Process

Identifying students who can benefit from English Learner services is a clear, multi-step process that begins during enrollment.

1. Home Language Survey (HLS)
At the time of a student’s initial enrollment, parents or guardians complete the Home Language Survey (HLS)—a critical first step required by federal law. The survey asks a few key questions, such as:

  • What is the first language your child learned to speak?

  • What language does your child speak most often at home?

  • What language is most often spoken to your child at home?

2. English Language Proficiency Screening
If the HLS indicates that a language other than English is used at home, the student is referred for an English language proficiency screening. Our school administers the WIDA Screener to assess the student’s ability to listen, speak, read, and write in English.

3. Program Placement
Based on the screening results, a student may be officially identified as an English Learner and placed in the EL program to begin receiving targeted language support.

Types of Instructional Services

Our program utilizes proven instructional models designed to meet the diverse needs of our elementary students and help them acquire both social and academic English.

🎯 Targeted Language Development (Pull-Out)
Students work in small groups with a certified English Language Teacher for instruction focused on developing skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. These sessions emphasize vocabulary, grammar, and communication through engaging, research-based strategies.

📘 Content-Based Support (Co-Teaching/In-Class)
Our EL teachers frequently partner with general education teachers in a co-teaching model. Together, they adapt grade-level content—such as math, science, and social studies—to make lessons more accessible while strengthening English proficiency.

⚙️ Differentiation
Instruction is differentiated to match each student’s proficiency level, ensuring that all learners receive the appropriate balance of challenge and support.

Our Curriculum: Tools for Success

We use high-quality, research-based materials aligned with North Carolina’s English Language Development (ELD) Standards, including:

  • Finish Line for ELLs 2.0 – Provides focused, rigorous practice across all four language domains and builds academic language for success across content areas and on state assessments.

  • National Geographic Learning – Features real-world themes, engaging visuals, and global stories that connect language learning to authentic experiences and academic content.

Annual Assessment and Monitoring: WIDA

All identified English Learners take the annual WIDA ACCESS for ELLs assessment to measure progress and determine readiness to exit the program.

What is WIDA ACCESS?
WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) is a consortium of states dedicated to advancing academic language development for English Learners. The WIDA ACCESS test evaluates proficiency and growth in the four domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

The Purpose of WIDA ACCESS:

  • Monitoring Growth: Provides a yearly measure of a student’s progress in English language development.

  • Informing Instruction: Helps teachers tailor instruction to meet each student’s specific needs.

  • Program Exit: Students who meet state-defined proficiency scores are considered English Proficient and exit the EL program. These students are then monitored for up to four years to ensure continued academic success.

At TMSA Triad Elementary, we are committed to providing a supportive, rigorous, and inclusive learning environment for every English Learner.