Who are Newcomers?

The U.S. Department of Education defines newcomers as any foreign-born students and their families who have recently arrived in the U.S. Additionally, newcomer students are defined as English Learners (EL) who have received less than two years of instruction in U.S. schools. 

Newcomer Student Population Includes

• Asylum seekers

• Immigrants

• Migrant children

• Refugees

• Unaccompanied youth minors

Common Challenges of Newcomers

• Language barrier

• Cultural differences

• Socioeconomic status

• Depression/Anxiety/Trauma experienced from the journey to the United States

• Ethnic or Racial Tensions

• Bullying

WIDA Can Do Descriptors (PreK-12)

When creating lessons and activities for students, it is important to consider their abilities and how they will be able to show you what they have learned. Teachers can use the WIDA Can Do Descriptors to consider MLs' abilities based on their language level in the four language domains. Check out your Grade Level Cluster below!

My Student Speaks No English: What Do I Do?

Books & Articles

Additional Resources

The GO TO Strategy Matrix