Bilingual/ESL/Dual Language
TEA has a new website for information regarding English learners.
There are pages for parents, teachers and administrators.
The Kilgore ISD Bilingual/ESL Program Manual can be found here.
The Texas Education Agency has a new publication called Creating a More Bilingual Texas.
La Agencia de Educacion de Texas tiene un libro nuevo llamada Creating a More Bilingual Texas.
Did you know...
- 20% of the student population in Texas public schools are English learners
- 90% of the English learners in Texas speak Spanish as a first language
- Texas serves just under 1 in 5 of the nations English learners
- 66% of the worlds population is bilingual
Ana Jimenez Moreno
Director of Bilingual/ESL
903-988-3900 ext 2005
ajimenezmoreno@kisd.org
- Welcome / Bienvenidos
- Tools for Parents / Herramientos para Padres
- Tools For Teachers
- Dual Language News!
- ESL Certification
- TELPAS 2023
- Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
- Title III
- Web Resources for Bilingual/ESL
- Released TELPAS Reading
Welcome / Bienvenidos
English
Welcome to the Kilgore ISD Bilingual/ESL Department
At Kilgore ISD, we believe every student deserves the opportunity to succeed in a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive learning environment, no matter their background or first language. Our Bilingual/ESL/Title III Department is here to support our English learners, their families, and the educators who work with them every day.
We currently serve more than 700 students across our bilingual and ESL programs, and we’re proud to celebrate the rich cultural and linguistic diversity that makes our schools stronger. With guidance from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and in alignment with the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), we focus on helping students grow academically, socially, and linguistically.
Dual Language Education at KISD
We offer Dual Language Programs in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. This includes both one-way and two-way dual language classrooms, based on the 50/50 biliteracy model—meaning that by 2nd grade students learn in both English and Spanish equally throughout the school day.
This approach helps students build strong skills in both languages, reach high academic achievement, and develop cultural awareness and appreciation.
Both native English and native Spanish speakers benefit from this model, learning side by side and growing together. Our campuses, Kilgore Primary, Chandler Elementary, and Kilgore Intermediate, are leading the way in building a culture of bilingualism across the district.
ESL Support Services
For students learning English outside of the dual language setting, we offer targeted English as a Second Language (ESL) services at all grade levels. Our pull-out ESL model provides focused language support while helping students stay on track with their academic learning. Whether they’re new to English or continuing to grow their skills, we’re here to help every student succeed.
Resources for Families: Visit TXEL.org
We know families play a big role in a child’s language and academic development. That’s why we encourage you to visit TXEL.org, a free online resource provided by the Texas Education Agency.
The TXEL portal is full of helpful information for families of English learners, including:
Ways to support your child at home, information about bilingual and ESL programs, what to expect from language testing and the LPAC process, and tools, guides, and videos (many available in Spanish).
To get started:
- Visit www.txel.org
- Click the “Families” tab at the top of the page
- Explore topics and download resources in English or Spanish
- Use the language switcher in the top corner to browse in your preferred language
This is a great place to find answers, learn more about your child’s program, and feel more confident in supporting their learning journey.
Learn More About Our Language Programs
Want to explore our language programs in more detail? Visit our Language Program page for information on how each model works, program goals, and what you can expect as a parent or guardian:
👉 Click here to visit the KISD Language Programs page
We’re Here for You
At Kilgore ISD, we’re committed to helping every child thrive—academically, socially, and linguistically. Our bilingual and ESL programs are rooted in equity, cultural respect, and high expectations for all learners.
If you have any questions, or if there’s anything we can do to support your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We're just a phone call or email away, and we’re always happy to help.
Español
¡Bienvenidos al Departamento de Programas Bilingües/ESL/Título III de Kilgore ISD!
En Kilgore ISD, estamos convencidos de que todos los estudiantes pueden tener éxito cuando se sienten bienvenidos, apoyados y valorados, sin importar su idioma o país de origen. Nuestro departamento está aquí para acompañar a nuestros estudiantes del idioma inglés, a sus familias y a nuestros maestros en cada paso del camino.
Actualmente, servimos a más de 700 estudiantes en nuestros programas bilingües y de ESL, y nos llena de orgullo celebrar la diversidad cultural y lingüística que enriquece nuestras escuelas. Con el respaldo de la Agencia de Educación de Texas (TEA) y los Estándares de Dominio del Idioma Inglés (ELPS), trabajamos cada día para apoyar el crecimiento académico, social y lingüístico de cada estudiante.
Educación bilingüe en Kilgore ISD
Ofrecemos el Programa de Inmersión en dos idiomas, desde Pre-Kinder hasta Quinto Grado,programa dual de una y dos vías, basado en el modelo 50/50 de alfabetización bilingüe. Esto significa que los estudiantes aprenden en inglés y en español en partes iguales durante el día escolar.
Este modelo ayuda a los niños y niñas a desarrollar habilidades sólidas en ambos idiomas, alcanzar un alto rendimiento académico y valorar y respetar diferentes culturas.
Tanto los estudiantes que hablan español como los que hablan inglés como lengua materna aprenden juntos y se benefician de este programa, creando una verdadera comunidad bilingüe. Escuelas como Kilgore Primary, Chandler Elementary y Kilgore Intermediate están liderando este hermoso cambio en nuestro distrito.
Servicios de ESL (Inglés como segundo idioma)
Para los estudiantes que aprenden inglés y no están en un programa bilingüe, ofrecemos apoyo ESL en todos los niveles escolares. Nuestro modelo pull-out les permite recibir clases específicas en inglés fuera del aula principal, para mejorar su idioma sin dejar de avanzar en las demás materias.
Ya sea que tu hijo(a) esté comenzando a aprender inglés o ya tenga algo de experiencia, estamos aquí para ayudarlo(a) a crecer y tener éxito.
Recursos para familias – ¡Visite TXEL.org!
Sabemos que el apoyo en casa marca una gran diferencia. Por eso, te invitamos a visitar www.txel.org, un portal gratuito creado por la Agencia de Educación de Texas (TEA) con muchísima información útil para las familias de estudiantes del idioma inglés.
¿Qué puedes encontrar en TXEL.org?
Consejos para apoyar a tu hijo en casa. información sobre los programas bilingües y ESL, explicaciones sobre el comité LPAC y evaluaciones, videos, guías y materiales descargables (¡muchos en español!)
¿Cómo usarlo?
- Visita www.txel.org
- Haz clic en la pestaña "Families" (Familias) en la parte superior.
- Explora los temas disponibles y descarga recursos.
- Cambia el idioma en la esquina superior derecha si lo necesitas.
Este sitio es una herramienta práctica y fácil de usar para mantenerte informado(a) y apoyar el aprendizaje de tus hijos con confianza.
Conozca más sobre nuestros programas de idiomas.
Haga clic aquí para visitar la página de Programas de Idiomas de KISD
(Agrega aquí el enlace real a la página de programa).
¡Estamos aquí para usted!
En Kilgore ISD, nuestro compromiso es ayudar a cada estudiante a crecer no solo en lo académico, sino también en lo emocional, social, lingüístico y cultural. Nuestros programas están basados en el respeto, la equidad y las altas expectativas para todos.
Si tiene preguntas o necesita ayuda, no dude en comunicarse con nosotros. Estamos aquí para servirle , solo llámenos o mándenos un correo, ¡con gusto le atenderemos!
Tools for Parents / Herramientos para Padres
English
TEA Family Portal: Supporting English Learners in Texas
Learn easy Spanish and English with these sites:
The key is to pick one and stick with it!
Also, search YouTube for "Learn Spanish for kids" or "Aprender ingles para niños."
They have are hundreds of learning videos.
Speech Pathologist: Bilingual Speech Pathology
Spanish Playground is a website with seasonal songs, stories, pictures, vocabulary and other activities in Spanish.
Google Translate is a phone app that will show a word in Spanish, English, or 27 other languages with its hover feature using the camera.
Other Ideas to do together
- Watch TV in Spanish using subtitles.
- Watch familiar children's movies with captions in Spanish. You already know the plot, just focus on the vocabulary.
- Sing songs in Spanish with the radio/CD/DVD/etc.
- Read books in Spanish or follow along with an interactive book.
- Watch Spanish short films on YouTube.
- Label items in your home and practice reading the room.
- Keep a journal in Spanish. Read it together daily to see your progress.
Know Your Rights
Español
Portal familiar de TEA: Apoyando a los estudiantes de inglés en Texas
Aprende español e ingles con estos sitios:
Es importante escoger uno y practicarlo.
Also, search YouTube for "Learn Spanish for kids" or "Aprender ingles para niños." Tienen muchísimos videos para aprender.
Cuándo llevar a su hijo al patólogo del habla: Bilingual Speech Pathology
El sitio llamado Spanish Playground tiene muchos canciones, cuentos, dibujos, vocabulario y mas en ambos idiomas.
El applicacion Google Translate tiene la capacidad de mostrar una palabra en 29 idiomas, incluyendo ingles y español usando la camera de su telefono.
Otras ideas para hacer juntos
- Ver el televisor en ingles. Usar los subtitulas en Ingles.
- Ver películas conocidas para niños en español. Ya sabes lo que sucede. Puedes enfocarse en el vocabulario.
- Cantar en ingles con el radio, CD, DVD, etc.
- Leer cuentos o libros electrónicas.
- Ver películas cortas en ingles en YouTube.
- Nombra las cosas en su casa y practica leyéndolas.
- Mantenga un diario en ingles. Léelo cada día para ver su progreso.
Sus derechos
Tools For Teachers
Content Based Language Instruction
(CBLI) is an integrated approach to language instruction in which language is developed within the context of content delivery that is culturally and linguistically responsive.
News from TEA:
The Bilingual/ESL division of TEA has been busy collecting data and researching the best practices for Texas school programs, including remote learning. You can read more about them on the webpage linked below.
Five Instructional Methods for Accessing English Learners Using Remote Learning
Here are quick, easy (and seamless!) ways to integrate authentic language to make the content comprehensible for all students in your classroom each day:
- Accountable Talk
- Best Practices for Teaching English Learners
- Checks for Understanding
- ELPS Linguistic Instructional Alignment Guide
- ELPS Instructional Tool for Beginner and Intermediate Language Learners
- Gomez & Gomez Dual Language Training Institute
- Lead4ward
- Real Academia Espanola
- The Teacher Toolkit
- Using Sentence Frames
- Sentence Stems
- Bilingual Speech Pathology information
Learn Spanish phrases fast with these phrasebooks
Essential Spanish Phrase book for teachers
Essential Spanish Phrases for teachers
Dual Language News!
ESL Certification
TEA registration information can be accessed here.
Access the Region 7 ESL 154 Live Binder here for resources.
KISD teachers adding the Supplemental 154 ESL TExES certification
For teachers wishing to add the supplemental ESL certification and with your principals’ approval, here are the steps for you to take.
Study Guide/Test Prep
Study guides are available online and there is an online and a one-day exam prep at Region 7 scheduled throughout the year. There is no cost to teachers for this since KISD is a member of the Title III/Bilingual Contracted Service Co-ops.
- The Pass the TExES ESL Supplement is a guide that walks you through a process of studying for the test. KISD has books available. Contact the Bilingual/ESL Director to check one out.
- You can find more help from TEA at the English Learner website.
Registration
To register for the test, you need to go to TEA's Additional Certification Information webpage. The registration page is an outside source. Be sure you have a receipt showing the amount you paid with your name and date for reimbursement.
Certification
After passing the test go back to TEA's Additional Certification Information webpage where you will find the steps to log into your personal TEA account and update your certification. Be sure to give a copy to the HR office.
Reimbursement
Upon completion of the above including passing the exam, submit receipts showing the amount paid for registration. The regular registration will be reimbursed. Emergency fees can not be reimbursed without prior approval. Certification updates are not reimbursable.
Resources
TELPAS 2023
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee
The Texas LPAC Decision Making Process Manual is located at TXEL.org
KISD uses DMAC for all LPAC forms.
Accommodation resources for state testing may be found at TEA Accommodations.
LPAC resources may be found at TEA LPAC.
allowable use of bea funds- comprehensive pd plan
building bilingual and esl programs
Title III
Title III, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), as reauthorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), aims to ensure that English learners (ELs) and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English. Title III will also assist all English learners to meet the same challenging State academic standards that all children are expected to meet.
As a recipient of Title III funds, Kilgore ISD uses these funds to provide supplementary instructional materials and support for our English learners. Title III funds must strictly be used to supplement and enhance language support services and instructional effectiveness and not supplant state-required initiatives.
As such, KISD utilizes Title III allotment for the following:
- Additional language support through paraprofessionals
- Software for PK-8 students
- Rosetta Stone software for 4-12 students
- Supplemental instructional materials for teachers, based on student need
- Region 7 Staff Development including ESL certification training for content area teachers to improve EL instructional practices
Allowable uses of Title III funding
title iii faq- allowable use of funds
Web Resources for Bilingual/ESL
English Language Learners Portal: All things ELL, LPAC, Chapter 89
Spanish Playground: A site for young Spanish and English learners
Colorin Colorado: A bilingual site for families and educators of English language learners, Access in Spanish and English
Stanford Graduate School of Education: A free site with video examples of EL instruction and teacher commentary-great for PD!
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Internet Teachers of ESL Journal: An internet journal of articles and instructional methods for educators of ELs
The Big Deal Book: Resources and strategies for educators of ELs
The Teaching Channel: Free videos, resources, and blogs focused on instruction
The Bilingual Planet: Bilingual classroom resources and videos examples
Reading Naturally: Helps differentiate instruction for struggling readers
PIPO: A collection of educational software for early learning
