St. Charles Schools See Increase in English Language Learners

The number of students who come to school in the St. Charles School District and don't speak English is growing. 

The St. Charles School District has seen a 25 percent increase in the number of students who are English language learners over the last two years. In 2010, there were 237 students, and in 2012 that has grown to 303 students.

Students who have low English proficiency are pulled out of class in elementary and middle school for additional support. Middle school and high school students have a scheduled class. 

That number includes six migrant students who are highly transient. 

The vast majority of the ELL students speak Spanish at 84 percent, but students in the district speak more than 20 languages including Vietnamese, Hindi, Urdu and Russian. 

 Danielle Tormala, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, said the district has some students who have never had any education at all. 

"We received a student who literally has no education in their native language, they are illiterate," she said. "We plan to continue to seek student supports." 

In the future, the district is planning to look at new programs that would help students reach English proficiency at a faster rate.