Multilingual Learners (ML) Program

Welcome

We hope that you find this resource helpful in understanding our ML Program and what we have to offer. We are committed to assisting you in ensuring that your student receives all the resources needed to begin their experience in our school district. Feel free to explore our newly developed Newcomers Resource Guide for information that may assist you. The District's mission statement is "To Inspire All Children To Achieve Their Greatest Potential"! We hope that we can help you achieve that goal. 

Mission Statement 

The mission of the Multilingual Learners Program in Indian Prairie School District 204 is to foster the linguistic and academic development as well as the personal and social growth of the multilingual learners in our learning community.

Philosophy 

Learning Environment 

Within our classrooms, we establish a caring, inclusive, safe, and linguistically and culturally rich community of learning where students take intellectual risks and work both independently and collaboratively. 

We believe that: 

• All English language learners need to feel respected. Both the native language and the native culture should be valued.
• Prejudice and discrimination in the school community should be addressed and challenged.
• High expectations should be maintained for English language learners with respect to their English language proficiency levels.
• English language learners bring diverse cultural knowledge and experiences that contribute positively to the classroom and school environment.

Meaningful Learning 

Using a variety of research-based approaches, we provide meaningful, authentic English language instruction to meet the specific needs of English language learners. We provide multiple paths to help students develop language proficiency and build knowledge of and strengthen their understanding of the "Big Ideas" of academic content. In order to accomplish this, we select, adapt, create, and use rich and varied resources. 

We believe that: 

• Multilingual learners require sheltered content instruction according to their English language proficiency level.
• Native language support and development facilitates the learner's capacity to acquire the English language and academic content.
• English language learners are entitled to access to all programs and services in the school as appropriate and necessary.