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English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)

A word cloud graphic in the shape of the Earth with the word "welcome" written in various languages - some in blue make up the ocean and others in green make up the land.Welcome to the English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Title III information page. ESOL services are available to students who have a first language that is not English or have a language other than English represented in the home.  

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 serves a diverse and ever-changing population. The classrooms and hallways in our schools mirror the vibrant diversity of the world. With over 70 countries represented and 40 languages spoken, we value the rich cultural and linguistic variance our students and families bring to the classroom and community. 

Goals of the ESOL Program are to:

  • Provide support that will help students comprehend classroom instruction
  • Increase each student's level of English in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing
  • Make available the most highly qualified staff working with the most at-risk students
  • Bring awareness to cultural differences within the classroom and school
  • Afford parents opportunities that will facilitate communication and engagement between home and school
  • Offer professional development and ongoing staff development for educational professionals within the district 

USD 383 serves over 500 English Learners (ELs) in early childhood programs through 12th grade. Academic and language support services are provided at our early learning (PreK) sites, 10 elementary buildings, 2 middle schools and 1 high school. A variety of instructional practices are tailored to meet the unique language needs of each student along their educational journey. Support may be provided in one or more of the following ways:

  • ELs receive one-on-one or small group instruction from an ESOL endorsed teacher outside of the regular classroom at some point throughout the day.
  • Language assistance will be provided in the regular classroom by an ESOL endorsed teacher for a designated time in the day.
  • A supervised aide may assist ELs in order to comprehend the academic subjects.
  • ELs will receive modified instruction by the classroom teacher as needed to make the material comprehensible.
  • ELs in middle school or high school may be assigned to one or two hours of sheltered ESOL instruction:ESOL 1, ESOL 2, ESOL Resource

Our school district is eligible to receive Title III / Immigrant Grant funds from the Elementary and Secondary Education Act as amended (2015).  USD 383 supports more than 100 immigrant students. The educational definition of an immigrant is a student age 3-21, who was not born in any state, and has not been attending one or more schools in any one or more States for more than three full academic years.  

Title III / Immigrant Grant Services shall provide a variety of services that can include:

  • Family literacy;
  • Parent engagement, and training activities designed to help parents to become more involved in their children’s education;
  • Support of personnel, including teaching assistants who have been specifically trained, or are being trained, to provide services to immigrant children and youth;
  • Tutoring, mentoring, and academic or career counseling for immigrant children and youth;
  • Identification of teaching materials, educational software, and technology for use with immigrant children and youth;
  • Providing basic instruction services that are designed to meet the unique needs of immigrant children and youth;
  • Other instructional services that are designed to help immigrant children and youth to achieve in school.This includes programs of introduction to the educational system and civics education; and
  • Activities coordinated with other organizations that have expertise in helping immigrants and their families.This includes community-based organizations, colleges and universities, private sector organizations, or other organizations.

Following federal and state guidelines, Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 ensures that:

  • Schools will provide high-quality language instruction based on evidence based research.
  • The district will provide high-quality professional development for classroom teachers. 

If you would like more information about Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 ESOL Program, please contact Emily Cherms or by telephone at 785-587-2848.

The mission of Kansas English Learner Programs:

  • Kansas instruction of English for speakers of other languages prepares English Learners for success in school and in society through development of English proficiency, with specific emphasis on literacy skills needed to access academic content.

  • Kansas Standards for English Learners Grades K-12

Language Access (USD 383 Staff and Teachers ONLY)

Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 provides Interpreter and Translation services to staff, teachers and families upon request for large-audience district/school related events, parent-administrator meetings, parent-teacher conferences, district-wide announcements and any other material to ensure meaningful communication with parents. To obtain interpreting or translation services please complete and submit an Interpreter/Translation Request form to Christina Martinez. 

Newcomer Resource Guide

ESOL Staff