English Learners (ELs)/Multilingual Learners (MLs)

Supporting high quality instruction designed to serve linguistically and culturally diverse students


 

All students deserve equitable access to education. Federal law requires schools to identify English learners and provide them language instruction to ensure “a meaningful opportunity to participate in educational programs.” The Title III grant program supports school districts in creating high-quality language programs, so ELs can become proficient in English and meet challenging state academic standards.

WIDA Mission, Vision, and Values

 

 

 



Guidance, Title III, and Forms

Forms

CURRENT Montana Home Language Survey (2/2025)

WIDA has put together a survey, a collection of questions, to be completed by parents or guardians of students to help understand their language usage

 
 

 

Title III Grant Information

 

Emergency Immigrant Information

Resources and Guides for English Learner Programs

Classroom Differentiation (Modifications and Accommodations) Ideas

 

Go-To Strategies for ELs

 
EL Language Transfer Supports
 

What Works Clearinghouse-Institute of Education Sciences

  • They research educational practices and create recommendations based on evidence to improve student outcomes

 

WIDA-Tell Us About Your Child Survey (TUAYCS)

WIDA has put together a survey, a collection of questions, to be completed by parents or guardians of students to help understand their language usage

 
Summer Institute 2025 HLS and EL Strategies/Resources Presentation Slides
 

Seal of Biliteracy - website link HERE

Information from the Board of Education's webpage:
 

 

OPI Modules of Guidance

 

Montana Educator Spotlight

English Teaching and Learning

What Works Clearinghouse-Institute of Education Sciences

  • They research educational practices and create recommendations based on evidence to improve student outcomes

WIDA-Tell Us About Your Child Survey (TUAYCS)

WIDA has put together a survey, a collection of questions, to be completed by parents or guardians of students to help understand their language usage

 

Resources for General Education Teachers

 

Creating a Language Instruction Educational Plan (LIEP)

Professional Development Opportunities

  • MELIN (Montana English Learner Instructional Network): EL coordinators helping each other
    • Learn from your Montana colleagues in monthly meetings! Or sign-up to stay informed! 
      • Email Serena Wright to join the email list.
        • 2025-26 MELIN meeting dates Coming Soon!
 
 
 
Summer Institute Sessions
 
WIDA Annual Conference, Seattle, WA October 27-30, 2025
  • Virtual Track October 27th
  • In-person October 28-30, 2025
 
  • NCELA supports the U.S. Department of Education's Office of English Language Acquisition (OELA)
  • NCELA offers a variety of resources for educators to work with ELs as well as support to work with EL families
 
 
 
 

Video Resources

Video Resources

 
  • Welcoming Families - First Steps (NEW 2/2025)
    • This video details how important a family's first impression or feelings are when entering a school to enroll their child(ren).
    • Tips and ideas on how to make the student feel comfortable are included
    • This video is primarily for Newcomer families, but it also valid for any multilingual family
 
  • Cultural Awareness - Practices (NEW 2/2025) 
    • This video includes culturally responsive teaching practices and ideas for ALL staff
    • Mostly towards Newcomer students, but includes best practices for all EL students
    • Lesson ideas - Importance of our names
    • Ideas for preparing a welcoming classroom
    • There is also information regarding the Stages of Cultural Accommodation
 
  • Family Engagement - Engaging EL Families (NEW 2/2025)
    • This video provides strategies to engage with multilingual and multicultural families
    • Ideas are beneficial for all staff and all ELs
 
  • Newcomers, First 30 Days, Part 1 - (NEW 4/2025)
    • This video will lead you through the first interactions with newcomer students and their families
    • A great resource for all staff to watch

Cultural and Native Language Resources

Family and Community Engagement

School Resources

 

Family Resources

 

Resources for Learning English for the Family

Assessment

English Learners and Special Education

 

 


OPI Staff are here to help:

Serena Wright, English Learner Specialist, 406-410-4098

 

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