5.2.1

Language Services

A Dual Language Learner (sometimes referred to as an English Language Learner) is a child who is currently learning two or more languages. The Language Services Coordinator, Bilingual Aide and Language Services Assistant are responsible for ensuring that the learner and family receive the appropriate level of assistance in order to ensure a positive and successful experience in the program.

Teachers, Home Visitors and Family Workers work with the Bilingual Service staff to ensure that the children and families are receiving language services.

Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner

When a Dual Language Learner is enrolled in a program and the enrollment process is complete, the Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner form is completed by the Family Worker/Home Visitor. Regardless of the child’s ability to speak English, if another language is spoken in the home, this form must be filled out.

The completed form is scanned to the Language Services Coordinator so that Bilingual Aides can be appropriately assigned and we can properly track the number of dual language families we are serving.

At some centers, a Bilingual Aide is already assigned. In this case, the form is completed to inform the Language Services Coordinator that a dual language learner has been enrolled.

Family Language and Culture Interview

The Language Services Coordinator will conduct the interview with each Dual Language Learner’s parent/guardian within 30 days of enrollment. The purpose of the interview is to support relationship building with families of children who are identified as Dual Language Learners and to learn more about each child’s experiences with language.  When adults understand children’s past experiences with language(s), they can build upon those experiences and better support children’s development.

Actions to be Completed: The Language Services Coordinator will interview the family after receiving the Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner and Family Language and Cultural Interview forms. The forms will be scanned back to the Family Worker upon completion.

The Family Worker will:

• Review the information, sign, and date
• Pass the Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner and Family Language and Culture Interview to the Teacher/Caregiver to sign and return to the Family Worker
• Attach the Family Demographics, Noticed of Enrolled Dual Language Learner, and Family Language and Culture Interview in ChildPlus. See SOP 8.6.05 Attaching DLL Documents in CP
• Replace the existing Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner and Family Language and Culture Interview with the completed forms sent by the Language Services Coordinator

The Teacher/Caregiver will:

• Review the information, sign the Family Language and Culture Interview, and initial the Education Coversheet indicating they have reviewed the interview
• Make a copy of the Dual Language Learner and Family Language and Culture Interview form; place the copy in the curriculum binder and return the original to the FW
• Share information from the Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner and Family Language and Culture Interview with all staff involved with the child
• Use this information to plan their curriculum, develop strategies, strengthen family partnerships, and to improve support for children who are Dual Language Learners

Role of Language Services Coordinator

The Language Services Coordinator is responsible for:

• Placing a Bilingual Aide in the classroom who is specifically there to speak the child’s language (more information on the role of Bilingual Aide below)
• Determining the level of support that the parents need to be an integral part of the program
• Supporting the Education Staff in working with the child and family

Upon receiving a Notice on Enrolled Dual Language Learner form, the Language Services Coordinator will complete the following:

• The Language Service Coordinator will contact the family to assess the level of English proficiency and determine their level & need of services.
• The Language Service Coordinator will generate a list of all Dual Language Learners to determine where Bilingual Aides will be placed. Placement of Bilingual Aides is determined by the number of children needing services, and their locations.
• The number of hours and or days the Bilingual Aide will be available is based on overall agency need, and the availability of a Bilingual Aide.
• The Language Service Coordinator and the Child Development Manager will collaborate with the appropriate Area Manager to ensure appropriate placement of Bilingual Aides.
• The Language Services Coordinator will distribute a monthly assignment calendar for each Bilingual Aide so they know which center(s) they are working at and the corresponding time(s).
• Enrollment will be updated regularly, and there may be a need to transfer a Bilingual Aide from their current team to another team or from one center to a new center. The Area Manager in collaboration with the Language Service Coordinator will fill the hours and location on the Personnel Change Request Form and send the form to HR for completion.
• The Bilingual Aide will begin working with the Dual Language Learner (DLL) child/children at the assigned location upon completion of this process.

Role of Language Services Assistant

The Language Services Assistant:

1. Helps train the Bilingual Aides
2. Supports the LSC by assisting with translation of documents (forms, policies, etc.)
3. Performs responsibilities of Bilingual Aide

Role of Bilingual Aide

The Bilingual Aide is assigned to work within a geographic team or at a specific center for HS and EHS. The primary duty of the bilingual aide is to assist the teacher in bilingual instruction for Dual Language Learners.

The Teacher and Bilingual Aide work together as a team to support Dual Language Learners in classroom instruction by:

• Sharing and reinforcing the child’s primary language and culture through activities and additions to the classroom environment.
• Helping Dual Language Learners learn the English Language while maintaining their home language and culture.
• For Infants and Toddlers, DLL takes place through the Primary Caregiver who has developed the relationship with the child.
• Reinforcing lessons by interpreting and assuring that the child understands.
• Maintaining home-school communication and parent participation through brief newsletters, calendars, phone calls, and messages or notes to families.
• Assuring that interpreting for home visits, conferences, and center committee meetings is provided.
• Assuring that parents are participating in the WEB Planning Process through translation and interpretation during the process.
• Assuring that interpreting is provided for enrollment, child screening, IEPs, and Child Study Teams.
• Assuring that on-going assessment information and portfolios are translated as needed.
• Assuring that Bilingual Aides are included in staffing, site meetings, and observation of children. Take into account their ideas and input.
• The Bilingual Aides are to be a part of the teaching team and may be assigned short task that will not take away from their primary responsibility with the DLL children.

Classroom Preparation

Here are some classroom preparation activities which should be followed when a Dual Language Learner is enrolled in the class:

• Ensure there are bilingual resources in the classroom (books, labels, etc.) that reflect the family’s culture.
• Print the Set of Complete Labels (English/Spanish) and use them to label items in the classroom.

References

• Notice of Enrolled Dual Language Learner
• Procedures for Enrolling and Requesting Services for Dual Language Learner (DLL)
• Head Start Program Performance Standards for Support of Young Dual Language Learners
• Set of Complete Labels (English and Spanish)