English Learner Advantage

Being a multilingual learner in 2020 is an advantage to a child in many ways. The goal of both the State of California and the Glendale Unified School District is to help your child fully realize this advantage.

Our District takes pride in our multilingual students, and wishes to celebrate their proficiency in English and in their native language. Students coming to Glendale Unified School District speaking another language will have the benefit of improving their English language skills while simultaneously honoring their home language and culture. We hope your child will not only become proficient in English, but also take advantage of the many opportunities available in Glendale Unified School District to maintain, refine, and demonstrate their native language proficiency. We look forward to recognizing your child as a senior with one or more of the State and District Bilingual Awards, once they meet the requirements at that time.

Description of Programs Options and Goals for English Learners

GUSD is required to offer, at a minimum, a Structured English Immersion (SEI) program option (EC Section 305[a][2]). A description of the language acquisition programs provided in the Glendale Unified School District are listed below. Parents may select the program that best suits their child. (20 6[e][3][A][iii],[v])

• Structured English Immersion (SEI) Program 1: A language acquisition program for English learners in which nearly all classroom instruction is provided in English, but with curriculum and a presentation designed for pupils who are learning English. Instruction is based on ELD and grade level content standards. Students in Program 1 receive grades in English Language Development only for English Language Arts.

• English Language Mainstream/(ELM) Program 2: A language acquisition program for English learners in which students are taught ELD and other core subjects using district-adopted textbooks and supplementary materials. Instruction is based on ELD and grade level content standards. Students in Program 2 receive grades in English Language Development and English Language Arts.

• Dual-Language Immersion (DLI) Program (English/Armenian/French/German/Italian/Japanese/Korean/Spanish): A language acquisition program that provides language learning and academic instruction for native speakers of English and native speakers of another language, with the goals of high academic achievement, first and second language proficiency, and cross-cultural understanding. Participation in the DLI program is contingent on application and space availability.

Schools in which the parents or legal guardians of 30 pupils or more per school or the parents or legal guardians of 20 pupils or more in any grade request a language acquisition program that is designed to provide language instruction shall be required to offer such a program to the extent possible. (20 U.S.C. Section 6312[e][3][A][viii][III]); (EC Section 310[a]). To request a different language program from those listed above, please submit an oral or written request to your school's office.