Supporting Newcomer English Learners
(Without needing to hire full-time ESL Teachers)
According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, a newcomer:
Is typically a student born outside the United States who has been in the U.S. for no more than three years.
Is at the emerging or
beginning level of English proficiency with varying levels of formal education.
May meet the criteria for
Students with Limited or
Interrupted/Inconsistent
Formal Education (SLIFE).
Many districts are not equipped to adequately address the unique needs of this population of students. For schools with small populations of newcomer students, it’s often not possible to hire full-time support.
Hamilton County Educational Service Center’s Virtual English Language Development course offers access to qualified EL instruction, providing critical support for both districts and students.
Virtual English Language Development is a daily, 45 minute, fully online course offered by Hamilton County ESC to fill a critical service gap for districts and provide immediate access to qualified EL instruction.
Class sizes accommodate 10-15 students across districts.
| EMIS Subject Code | EMIS Subject Area for Credit | Core Subject Area | |
| English Credit | 051905 | ENG | ENG |
| Foreign Language Credit | 060207 | FLR | FLR |
| Elective Credit | 060207 | ENE | ENE |
Program Contacts
Heidi Messbarger and Andrew Phillips
Virtual English Language Development
heidi.messbarger@hcesc.org
andrew.phillips@hcesc.org