English Language Learners (ELL)

Our Mission

The English Language Education program serves English learners at all levels of language proficiency. With over 25 languages spoken in Natick schools, our students come from countries all over the world. All of our students bring unique strengths and cultural experiences to our classrooms.

We provide English language development instruction to students who qualify for support in acquiring and learning academic English in order to achieve success in the general education classrooms. We encourage students to meet and interact with their peers in general education classes and school clubs and activities in order to develop social language.

NHS offers three levels of English language development instruction: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Beginner English learners, or Newcomers, take four core academic courses with ELL teachers: ELL English, ELL History, ELL Math, and ELL Science. Beginners may also take a general education math or science course, as well as P.E./Wellness, Health, and electives.

Our intermediate and advanced English learners take ELL English for continued language development in addition to a grade-level English course and other general education classes. ELL teachers work with individual students to help develop language skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. All English learners participate in the state-wide ACCESS assessment that helps us monitor their annual progress.