English Language Learners are students whose primary or home language is other than English and who need special language assistance in order to effectively participate in school instructional programs. The term English Learner (EL) also refers to those students whose native or home language is other than English, as does the term Limited English Proficient (LEP).
The regional English Language Learners specialist for State Support Team Region 14 is Heather Mullenix. Heather provides consultation services to districts in the process of meeting the needs of students who speak English as a second language. The number of such students has steadily grown in the 5-county area served by Region 14, and a sampling of the languages includes Mandarin Chinese, Tagalog (a regional language in the Philippines), Russian, Japanese, and Pennsylvania German (Amish), and Spanish.
Services to teachers in research-based strategies to meet the needs of English Language Learners are also provided in a one-on-one or small group approach. If you would like to request such guidance, free to contact Lisa Toole.