ESL-English as a Second Language Home Page


En Español
English as a Second Language (ESL) is an instructional program to help English Language Learners (ELLs) do just that—learn English. It comprises a variety of instructional strategies and techniques to develop proficiency in Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing and Comprehension. Six ESL teachers and three ESL tutors serve our district, providing instruction in the basics, for those who speak little or no English, as well as more advanced lessons for those who speak more English. Over 20 classroom teachers are also trained in the SIOP method of sheltered content instruction to better support beginning and intermediate level ELLs in grades 1 through 8.

 English Language Learners

Our population of English Language Learners (ELLs) continues to grow. In 2004, the number of students served by our program was 62. In 2012, we began the school year with 325 ELLs. This year we are serving approximately 460. They attend all six of our schools from preschool through the 12th grade.

They come from many different countries, including Cambodia, Colombia, Congo, the Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Guatemala, India, Mexico, Micronesia, Nepal, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo and Vietnam. Many of them were actually born in the United States but live in homes where languages other than English are spoken. Just over 60% of them speak Spanish, while the remainder speak some 25 different languages, including Nepali, Twi, Pohnpeian, and varieties of creole English. Some of them speak English with a high degree of proficiency; others are just learning the basics.

Research shows that it takes second language learners two to three years to learn basic interpersonal communicative skills (BICS) and five to seven years to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency (CALP) if they have had two to three years of first language schooling in their native country (Jim Cummins, 1981). If the student has not had schooling in his/her first language, CALP will take seven to ten years or more (Virginia Collier, 1995).

Our mission is to provide English Language Learners with high-quality instruction in the English language (ESL), sheltered instruction in the mainstream classroom (SIOP), and appropriate modifications and accommodations in all classes, so that they may develop the second language skills necessary to successfully achieve academically and socially in the United States.

For more on the Winton Woods City Schools' Plan for English Language Learners, click here.

The district employs six ESL teachers, one for each school. One of the teachers, Mr. Giblin, also serves as the district's ESL Coordinator.


Gary Giblin (WWMS)



Brandon Booth (WWHS)


Kelly Kennedy (WWPN)

Mimi Khayo (WWES)

Katie Padilla (WWPS)

   Nadia Saunders (WWIS)
Tracie Woods (WWPN)

Rita Kinley (WWPS)

Heather Mack (WWES)
Agnes Boateng (WWIS)


Winton Woods City Schools
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Winton Woods City Schools
1215 W. Kemper Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45240

Phone: 513-619-2300