"Where inability to speak and understand the English language excludes national origin minority-group children from effective participation in the educational program offered by a school district, the district must take affirmative steps to rectify the language deficiency in order to open its instructional program to these students." Office of Civil Rights May 25th Memorandum

1. Traditional ESL Pull-out:
Program involves traditional language development using a variety of methods; usually emphasizes a progressive development of English reading, writing and speaking skills; usually instruction is conducted in self-contained classroom of only ESL students.

2. Content-based pull-out ESL:
Program integrates language and content instruction in the second language classroom; a second language learning approach where second language teachers use instructional methods, learning tasks, and classroom techniques from academic content areas as the vehicle for developing second language, content, cognitive and study skills.

3. Integrated ESL:
An integrated ESL program provides language-assistant services in the mainstream classroom as much as possible. Specialized staff work closely with classroom teachers to provide services. Classroom teachers modify materials, team-teach, and use peer tutors along with instructional aides to provide services. ESL teachers serve as resources to the classroom teachers. Specialized ESL methodology and materials are incorporated into classroom activities as much as possible.

*All models presume well-trained staff-members and professional development plans that include training for parents along with professional school staff.