The Plymouth Public School District is fortunate to have English Learners (ELs) from many different countries, speaking multiple languages. ELs are provided instruction by licensed English as a Second Language (ESL) Teachers. They are also provided with Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) in their general education classes by licensed content teachers who are SEI endorsed. The Plymouth Public Schools English Language Education (ELE) program provides support services to students whose primary language is not English and who are not yet proficient in English. The program is focused on students’ English language acquisition, literacy development, and academic achievement. In addition to academic language, students are constantly exposed to social language in all school contexts.

Our district offers a Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) model for English Learners. This means that ELs participate in general education classrooms with modified instructional strategies, assessment, and materials to help them access the curriculum. In addition, ELs are supported by ESL Teachers where they receive direct English language instruction tailored to their specific proficiency level. Using research-based practices, experienced ESL Teachers work with these students to develop the four skill areas of language learning: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Students participate in ESL classes to strengthen academic vocabulary across the content areas, access or build background knowledge, read for comprehension, and write for different purposes. This "language-in-content" approach is essential to the academic program of each student, regardless of his/her English proficiency level or amount of time in the United States, since ELs are required to take part in state content tests.

In Plymouth, the English Language Education (ELE) Program includes seven elementary schools (Cold Spring, Federal Furnace, Hedge, Manomet, Nathaniel Morton, South and West), both middle schools (PCIS and PSMS) and both high schools (PNHS and PSHS).

New Plymouth Public School students districted for non-ESL schools who are identified as ELs should be referred to Matthew Carpenito, ELE Department Head (508-224-5075 or mcarpenito@plymouth.k12.ma.us). Plymouth Public Schools will determine the ESL school placement option (based on the proximity of ESL school to home and EL enrollment numbers). Transportation will be provided. The family will also be given the option for the student to enroll in their home-district school without ESL services.