Bilingual/ESL Department
Edinburg CISD strongly supports and implements a program where limited English proficient students are successful when school administrators and teachers make consistent use of effective educational approaches that are aligned to state curriculum standards and assessment. Additionally, the Bilingual/ESL program in Edinburg reflects the philosophy that administrators, faculty and staff believe that a bilingual program should provide many educational opportunities for learners to develop and maintain their primary language and culture in a way that promotes biliteracy and a positive self-esteem in order to close the achievement gap thereby ensuring high academic performance and success in a global economy.
Edinburg CISD offers a Bilingual/ESL Program for students in grades PK-12th. This program serves students who have a language other than English in their homes and need help learning English. The mastery of English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills is required in the program. Academic instruction begins in the student’s first language and transitions into English. Teachers are trained to meet the special language needs of their students.
In grades 6th-12th, an ESL (English as a Second Language Program) is offered. At the middle school (6th-8th), the district has a HILD (High Intensive Language Development) program for students who are recent immigrants. Students may remain in the program up to three years so that they can receive intensive language development. At the high school level (9th-12th), the district has a Newcomer English Course. This is a one year course specifically for recent immigrants. ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Language) courses are available for second and third year recent immigrants. For students who are identified as LEP (Limited English Proficient), the district offers SIOP (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) trainings and resources to assist the teachers in meeting the needs of the LEP students.