Multilingual Learners

Connecticut State law requires that bilingual instruction be provided whenever there are twenty or more students in a school who are dominant in a single language other than English.

The Transitional Bilingual Program uses and develops the student's native language and culture to help the student acquire academic skills, positive self-concept skills and develop English proficiency. The bilingual education model utilized in Norwich is based on research which asserts that in order to be successful in the mainstream, ELLs must continue to develop cognitive and linguistic skills in their native language, while they are learning English. This approach will allow students to successfully transfer those abilities, skills and strategies to their new language. A student is fully transitioned into the standard curriculum program after he/she has reached a sufficient level of proficiency in all four domains of English to ensure equal access to the instruction in the mainstream classroom.

Norwich Public Schools programs for English language learners promote mastery of the English language in a culturally and linguistically sensitive environment. However, it is important to not neglect a student's first language. Continuing to develop native language at home does not interfere with English language acquisition. In fact, the research shows that it helps the process.
There are many benefits to knowing more than one language. Economically, there is an increased demand for bilingual employees throughout the world. Socially, the United States is a diverse society with many languages and cultures represented. In addition, research indicates that knowing more than one language increases a person's thinking abilities. Bilingual and bicultural students have greater cognitive flexibility, and that flexibility can transfer into academic success.

How long does it take to learn English?

• Basic Interpersonal Skills (BICS) - from one to three years
• Cognitive Academic Language (CALPS) - from five to seven years

Factors that influence second language learning are many and varied. The following factors are important and will impact student learning:

• Proficiency in native language
• Quality and amount of education in the home country
• Economic and political situations of the family
• Ability
• Motivation
• Age
• Personality of the student
• Student perceptions and feelings about coming to America

• Information for Parents and Families of ELs 
• Proposed Connecticut English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards Information for Parents, Families and Community Members
• English Learners Brochure: Provides families with information about identification, eligibility, programing and parent participation. [Arabic] [Mandarin Chinese] [English] [Haitian Creole] [Polish] [Portuguese] [Spanish]
• English Learners and State Assessments Brochure: Provides information about supports available specifically for ELs on Connecticut state assessments. [Arabic] [Mandarin Chinese] [English] [Haitian Creole] [Polish] [Portuguese] [Spanish]
• 4 Ways to Support your English Learner at Home Bookmark [Arabic] [Mandarin Chinese] [English] [Haitian Creole] [Polish] [Portuguese] [Spanish]
• Connecticut Family Guide to Supporting English Learners: This guide provides families with information to support their children as they learn English, answers to frequently asked questions, web resources, and English language development Website [English] [Spanish]

Assessment

• Equitable Assessment Practices for English Learners in Connecticut

Attendance

• Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO): Restart & Recovery: Promoting Attendance for English Learners in Remote and Hybrid Learning Environments

English Learners Checklist

• English Learner Checklists 

Information for Parents and Families

• Information for Parents and Families of ELs
• وزارة التعلیم بولایة كونیتیكت معلومات لآباء و أولیاء متعلمي اللغة الانجلیزیة (Arabic)
• Enfòmasyon pou paran ak gadyen elèv k ap aprann anglè (Creole)
• Informacje dla rodziców i opiekunów dzieci uczących się języka angielskiego (Polish)
• Informações para os pais e responsáveis de aprendizes de inglês (Portuguese)
• 英语学习者家长及监护人信息 (Chinese)
• Información para padres y tutores de estudiantes de inglés (Spanish)

The Bilingual/ESL department is responsible for ensuring that eligible students are receiving the services that they need. The staff, in conjunction with building administrators, provides a variety of supports for schools including:

• Site visits, planning opportunities and classroom support.
• Facilitating meetings where decisions are being considered that will support English Language Learners
• Working with professional development and leadership teams in the District to design and lead small-group or whole-staff professional development activities

All limited English proficient (LEP) students are recommended for placement in an ESL program. Those students who have as a dominant language Spanish or Haitian Creole may be recommended for placement in a Bilingual Center Education program.

Do you know someone in need of free English Classes that has a child attending Norwich Public Schools? Norwich Public Schools is offering free English Classes at several different schools within the community, several times a week. We encourage everyone to share this with people they know within the community so that we can spread the word. Children ages 2-8 are welcome at the classes as well. There will be games, snacks and more. Please contact Katrina at Norwich Public Schools for more information. 860-823-4299 x2304

For translated versions of this flyer, please click on "Resources" at the top of this page, then "Files, Forms & Policies", then click the tab that says 'Documents', there you will see a section titled "Families Learning English Program"-

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  CSDE Launches Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELs/MLs)
  On January 3, 2024, the State Board of Education adopted the Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners (ELs/MLs).  This resource organizes and elevates the rights that parents have to language access and affirms the access that ELs/MLs have to grade-level content, language instruction programs, and interventions. Since its adoption, the CSDE has had the document translated into the 16 most commonly used languages in Connecticut. We are pleased to announce that the Parent Bill of Rights for English Learners/Multilingual Learners site page is now available on the CSDE Website and includes the document in English as well as the translated versions. More information and guidance regarding the July 1, 2024, implementation is forthcoming and will be posted on the page and through other relevant communication channels.  

• Colorin Colorado: A bilingual site for educators and families of English Language Learners
• Reading Rockets ELL
• PBS Parents
• EL Family Fact Sheets
• EL Family Toolkit
  The English Learner Family Toolkit was created to help families choose education services that meet their child’s needs. Download the packet here. 
• Education Place
  Provided by Houghton Mifflin, this interactive site for kids is divided by Grades K-5 and Grades 6-8.
• Hello World
  Hello World has more than 800 games and activities in English, all of which are completely free.
• The Internet Picture Dictionary
  The IPD helps kids learn English words and has translations in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.

Do you need an interpreter to communicate with your child's school or district? The solution is here!
Norwich Public Schools is providing interpretation services through Language Line Solutions, for families to use when calling into a school or office in the district. The option is available to speakers of Spanish, Haitian Creole, Cantonese, Mandarin and Portuguese only. Call 1-833-341-0878.

¿Necesita un intérprete para comunicarse con la escuela o el distrito de su hijo? ¡La solución está aquí! Las Escuelas Públicas de Norwich brindan servicios de interpretación a través de Language Line Solutions, para que las familias los usen cuando llamen a una escuela u oficina en el distrito. and La opción está disponible solo para hablantes de español, criollo haitiano, cantonés, mandarín y portugués. Call 1-833-341-0878.

Èske w bezwen yon entèprèt pou kominike ak lekòl oswa distri pitit ou a? Solisyon an se isit la!
Lekòl Piblik Norwich ap bay sèvis entèpretasyon atravè Language Line Solutions, pou fanmi yo itilize lè y ap rele nan yon lekòl oswa biwo nan distri a. The option is available to speakers of Opsyon an disponib pou moun ki pale panyòl, kreyòl ayisyen, kantonè, mandaren ak pòtigè sèlman. Call 1-833-341-0878.

您是否需要口译员与您孩子的学校或学区沟通？ 解决方案就在这里！
Norwich 公立学校正在通过 Language Line Solutions 提供口译服务，供家庭在访问该地区的学校或办公室时使用。 该选项仅适用于说西班牙语、海地克里奥尔语、粤语、普通话和葡萄牙语的人。Call 1-833-341-0878.

Você precisa de um intérprete para se comunicar com a escola ou distrito do seu filho? A solução está aqui!
As Escolas Públicas de Norwich estão fornecendo serviços de interpretação por meio da Language Line Solutions, para as famílias usarem ao ligar para uma escola ou escritório no distrito. A opção está disponível apenas para falantes de espanhol, crioulo haitiano, cantonês, mandarim e português. Call 1-833-341-0878.

Immigration Attorneys & Advocates

Asylum & Human Rights Clinic
carmen.arroyo@uconn.edu
860-570-5165

Immigration Advocacy & Support Center (IASC)
8 Washington Street
New London, CT 06320
860-629-7758
Joseph Marino, Executive Director IASC

Integrated Refugee & Immigration Services (IRIS)

Housing and Social Service Related Services

Norwich Human Services
Catholic Charities

Citizenship classes

Otis Library - Citizenship & Immigration
Norwich Regional Adult Education - Citizenship Prep Classes

English classes

Norwich Regional Adult Education - English Classes

Rights

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - Know Your Rights, Immigrant Rights

• Global Storybooks
• Storynory 
• One More Story
• Unite for Literacy
• International Children's Digital Library
• Epic!