English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) provides English language instruction that will allow a student to gain improved proficiency in listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Students from other cultures often become acclimated to U.S. culture through language-based instruction. The Georgia Department of Education provides the following guidelines for identifying students who may be identified as an English Language Learner (ELL):

• Students whose native/home/first language is a language other than English
• Students who have difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language to the extent that their language skills would be a barrier to their success in the classroom

ESOL Goals:

• The ESOL teachers work in collaboration with classroom and other special programs teachers to support the acquisition of language and content skills.
• The ESOL program promotes each student's appreciation of his/her ability to perform a wide variety of intellectual and physical activities.
• The ESOL program encourages the student's positive recognition of a variety of cultures, recognizing similarities and differences.