FAQs

On your computer, phone, or tablet, you can install Google Translate for free. Once installed, it can be used without internet connection. Google Translate can be used to translate text, handwriting, speech and websites.

Another option is to use Microsoft Translator for free.  Please view this video for more information on utilizing this resource.

You can go into the “Settings” section of most computers, phones, and tablets to change the preferred language on the device.

• To change the language on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, follow these directions

• To change the language on your Android device, follow these directions

It’s okay if you are unsure of how to help your child. Reach out to your child’s teacher or someone else at the school. Look for contact information from the school. 

Visit TXSchools.gov  to find nearby locations of schools offering free school meals (both breakfast and lunch for pick-up) while school buildings are closed. Select “Meal Pick-up Location” and enter an address to find the closest location. 

This website created by TEA allows you to find Adult ESL classes provided by region throughout the state of Texas.

1. Continue speaking/teaching your home language to your child.  Studies show that there are numerous benefits to knowing two or more languages.  The foundations students learn from their home language will benefit their progress in English!

2.  Allow your child to watch supervised television programs in English with subtitles/captioning.  This will help students to hear conversational English, to identify formal/informal uses of the language, and help them learn how to identify social cues.

3. Encourage your child to read books on their reading level often and ask them questions to check their understanding.

4. Help your child to start their own journal!  A little bit of writing every day will help your child's written expression in more ways than one.  Encourage them to write a few sentences each day about their feelings, something that happened, or something coming up in the future.  This will help your child practice handwriting, sentence forming, sounding out words, confidence building, and emotional health!

5. Tell your child you love them every day!

1.       Preproduction: This stage is often called the “silent period” where students are observing others and how they interact with this new language.  Students in this stage can also become angry or resentful to those trying to help them to learn English.  This is NORMAL! 

2.     Early Production: In this stage, students may begin to experiment with the new language through speaking or writing and they are building their internal bank of vocabulary.  Students may speak in short phrases or use individual words in this stage.

3.     Speech Emergence:  Speech really starts to skyrocket in this stage.  The language learner is applying their understanding of their primary language to their understanding of the new language.  Students will use short and maybe even complex sentences while they are in this stage of development.

4.     Intermediate Fluency: Students in this stage are gaining confidence in their ability to manipulate and use the new language independently.

5.     Advanced Fluency: This is the ultimate goal.  At this stage you are considered “proficient” in the new language.

Typically, students will be a part of the ESL Program from 3-5 years before they qualify for reclassification/exit.  Some students take less time and some take more than this range.  All students develop language at their own rate based on multiple factors including their proficiency in their home language, age, demographics, etc.

There is a difference between reclassification and exit. Reclassification refers to a coding change from English Learner (LEP) to English Proficient (Non-LEP). Exit refers to a change of services. For example, at the initial LPAC, if the LPAC determines that the student is an English Learner (EL), then the student is an English Learner (EL), but the parent can accept or deny services. Similarly, at the end of year LPAC, if the LPAC determines that the student will be reclassified as English Proficient (Non-LEP) then the student is English Proficient (Non-LEP). The parent can approve the student's exit from services or reject the student's exit from services, and in doing so, request that the student continue to receive services as an English Proficient (Non- LEP) student.

When you enroll your child in Kindergarten and indicate a language other than English is spoken by your child or in your home, your child is administered the preLAS assessment.  This assessment is mandated by the state of Texas and assesses your child's speaking and listening proficiency in English.  

When you enroll your child in 1st-5th grade and indicate a language other than English is spoken by your child or in your home, your child is administered the LAS assessment.  This assessment is mandated by the state of Texas and assesses your child's speaking, listening, reading, and writing proficiency in English.  

Your child's scores on these assessments will be communicated to you once the LPAC meets to determine whether or not your child qualifies for the ESL Program which is within 4 calendar weeks of enrollment.

It is your right as a parent to request a new Home Language Survey if you believe it was completed with incorrect information.  However, after two weeks of enrollment and completing preLAS/LAS Testing, a new Home Language Survey may not be completed.

If you are moving from another school in the state of Texas, you do not need to complete another Home Language Survey for your child.  If you do complete one by accident, it is not a problem.  The most recent Home Language Survey will be destroyed and the original will be used.  

If you are moving from another state, you do need to complete a new Home Language Survey.  Your child will also need to take the preLAS or LAS assessment in order to determine whether or not your child qualifies for language services even if your child was previously served in an ESL program in another state.

Studies have shown that there are numerous benefits of a structured, high-quality ESL program.  Students in the ESL program are consistently supported throughout the school year by the campus ESL specialist and their classroom teacher to ensure their academic success.  Check out more of the incredible benefits of a structured ESL Program here!

It is your right as a parent to deny ESL services at any point in any school year. (Please see the question: What if I deny ESL Services? for more information)

ELs with parental denials cannot:

• participate in a bilingual or ESL program, 

• participate in required summer school programs for English learners (TAC 89.1250), and 

• receive designated supports from the LPAC on state assessments. 

ELs with parental denials shall: 

• receive the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) in all content area instruction, including classroom linguistic accommodations as needed commensurate with the English proficiency level of the student; 

• take the Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS); 

• be reviewed by the LPAC at least annually to measure linguistic and academic progress that is communicated to parents; 

• be reclassified as English proficient when reclassification criteria are met; 

• enter two years of monitoring by the LPAC after reclassification; and 

• enter additional two years of PEIMS monitoring for federal purposes. 

Limited English Proficient (LEP) - a student who qualifies for ESL Services

non-Limited English Proficient (non-LEP)- a student who does not qualify for ESL Services

Denial (DEN)- a student who qualifies for ESL Services but their parents have denied those services

English Learner (EL)- a student who is learning the English language

Emergent Bilingual (EB) - a student who is learning the English language

English Language Learner (ELL)- a student who is learning the English language

English as a Second Language (ESL)- the program in which English Learners are taught

English Language Development (ELD)- the development of the English Language in reading, writing, listening, and speaking

Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC)- the committee which protects, assesses, and monitors all ELLs

Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)- the assessment which is given each Spring to determine a student's proficiency in the English language