English Language Learners are assigned to a general education classroom and receive specialized instruction from an ESL and/or Bilingual teacher. The amount of ELL instruction a student receives is based upon his level of English Language Proficiency.

Lincoln School District 156 has two types of programs:

Bilingual Education (Transitional Bilingual Education)

  • In accordance with Illinois School Code, schools in which there are 20 or more Limited English Proficient (LEP) students of the same language group offer a Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) program for those students.

  • Students in the TBE program receive ESL instruction as well as native literacy instruction and/or native language support.

  • The goals of the TBE program are:

    • To develop English skills while learning grade appropriate academic content.

    • To develop academic English language proficiency to assist students in meeting Common Core State Standards as well as Illinois English Language Proficiency Standards.

    • To promote bilingualism and biliteracy.

English as a Second Language (Transitional Program of Instruction)

  • English as a Second Language (ESL) services are offered in schools in which there are 19 or fewer Limited English Proficient (LEP) students of the same language group.

  • ESL instruction focuses on the development of both social and academic language in all four language domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.

  • The goals of the ESL program are:

    • To develop English skills while learning grade appropriate academic content.

    • To develop academic English language proficiency to assist students in meeting Common Core State Standards as well as the Illinois English Language Proficiency Standards.

The programs focus on helping students gain stronger English skills in the areas of reading, writing, listening and speaking while meeting their social and emotional needs.

EL Program Placement