Office of English Learner (EL) Programs and Services
EL Programs and Services
The Office of EL Programs and Services oversees and maintains services provided to ELs and immigrant youth in support of state and federal regulations. The main functions are to provide comprehensive registration services and ensure high-quality school-based programs that assist ELs to reach proficiency in English while meeting and exceeding state content standards. Central Registration Services responds to requests for information and assesses for EL Program eligibility. Instructional Services supports educators in implementing best practice techniques for ELs. Translation Services facilitates communication with families of ELs.
Central Registration Services
Central Registration Services are located next to Stonewall Middle School at 10100 Lomond Drive in Manassas (571.402.3800), and at Ann Ludwig School, 14575 Potomac Branch Drive in Woodbridge (703.491.8432). Each site provides services throughout the school year to families with English Learners (ELs) and immigrant youth from all K–12 Division schools. Bilingual (Spanish) staff, along with interpreters for other languages as requested, provide assistance with school registration, assessment of EL Program eligibility, and foreign transcript evaluation. Information on PWCS adult education opportunities and community resources are available. Notary Publics are on site. Central Registration documents are translated into our four major languages.
Translation and Interpretation Services
Our Office of English Learner (EL) Programs and Services responds to our School Division’s diverse language needs by facilitating translation and interpretation services for all PWCS families. The EL population currently represents 144 world languages from 121 different countries. Bilingual services are made available by all schools, departments, and offices on an as-needed basis, such as for parent/teacher or student conferences. Key Division documents are translated into our major correspondence languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Farsi, Korean, Spanish, Urdu, and Vietnamese. Access to an ever growing collection of information can be found under the language links on the right side of pwcs.edu. For more information on interpreting and translation services, contact Translation and Interpretation Services at 703.791.7568 or visit translations.pwcs.edu.
K–12 EL Programs
PWCS provides a program of language instruction at each K-12 school in supportive settings so that ELs attain proficiency in English and meet the same challenging academic content and student achievement standards as other students. Components of instruction include:
- Academic language instruction to students at English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels 1–5 for success in language arts, math, social studies, and science;
- Delivery styles to maximize service opportunities: Co-taught, push-in, pull-out, inclusion, and EL-Only class; and
- Support from ESL-certified teachers and content teachers knowledgeable in techniques which support English language development (ELD).
The Office of EL Programs and Services offers EL parent outreach to inform parents on supporting students for academic, personal, social, and career development purposes, including ESL classes in collaboration with Adult Education. For more information, call 703.491.8432.
For more information on EL Programs and Services, contact Lynmara Colón, Director, at 703.791.8745 or email colonlx@pwcs.edu.
2018-19 Professional Learning Opportunities in English Learner (EL) Techniques
PWCS Teachers seeking to gain knowledge in EL techniques can register for courses this summer or during the school year. View course descriptions and schedules.