Frequently Asked Questions

Who qualifies as a Multilingual Learner? 

At the time of registration, each student completes a Home Language Survey, which contains three questions aimed at gathering information about the student's initial language exposure. If any of these questions are answered with a language other than English, it triggers the ML teacher to conduct a screening. Based on the screening results or records from a previous school district, the student may be designated as a Multilingual Learner (ML).

Who is a Newcomer? 

The U.S. Department of Education describes newcomers as "any foreign-born students and their families who have recently arrived in the United States." These students need significant support to achieve their academic objectives while adjusting to a new cultural environment and adapting to a school system with unfamiliar language and procedures. Many school districts classify MLs as newcomers if they have been in U.S. schools for less than two years, though this definition can vary between states and districts.

How can I use WIDA Can Do for Instruction?

The WIDA Can Do Descriptors assist educators in tailoring instruction and assessments to address the needs of MLs in their classrooms. The WIDA Can Do Philosophy emphasizes that ALL students contribute valuable cultural, linguistic, and experiential assets to the learning environment. These descriptors outline what MLs are capable of doing with language at various levels of English proficiency.

ESOL Endorsement FAQs: