The Nashua School District provides students with instruction to support competency in English, to give each student the opportunity to achieve at the same level as a student who is a native speaker of English. Our ELL teachers promote instruction and practice in reading, writing, listening and speaking English. The District respects all cultures and languages of all students in keeping to the goal of having ELL students become independent and successful in the classroom.

Educators use a number of terms when referring to English-language learners, including English learners (or ELs), limited English proficient (LEP) students, non-native English speakers, language-minority students, and either bilingual students or emerging bilingual students.

English-language learners, or ELLs, are students who are unable to communicate fluently or learn effectively in English, who often come from non-English-speaking homes and backgrounds, and who typically require specialized or modified instruction in both the English language and in their academic courses.