Multilingual Learner Program

  • Students eating ice creamWelcome to the Essex Westford Multilingual Program webpage! You may have noticed the updated name of the Multilingual Program. Students in the Multilingual Program are now “Multilingual Learners” (ML)  rather than “English Learners” (EL). The term “Multilingual Learner” recognizes that multilingualism is something to grow and celebrate.

    Our Mission

    The Essex Westford School District ensures that all multilingual learners have access to a quality education that prepares them for college, career, and beyond. The mission of the Multilingual Program is to provide high-quality public education for multilingual learners by valuing and encouraging multilingualism, building community, and using best practices for multilingual learners in the classroom. 

    Our History

    The multilingual family community in the Essex Westford School District has steadily grown to approximately 225 multilingual students receiving services or being monitored in preschool to 12th grade.
  • Eligibility for EL Services
  • In the News/Newsletters
  • Multicultural Youth Program
  • Multilingual Program Events
  • Resources for Families
  • Translation Services

  • There are over 36 languages spoken in the Essex Westford School District!

    Number of Languages in the EWSD 

     

Multilingual Program Faculty and Staff

  • Prem Bhattarai - Nepali Speaking Multilingual Liaison                 Noor Bulle - Somali and Maay Maay Speaking Multilingual Liaison                 Seham Alsakkaf

    Prem Bhattarai                                       Noor Bulle                                                       Seham Alsakkaf 
    Nepali Speaking                                        Somali/Maay Maay Speaking                        Arabic Speaking 
    Multilingual Liaison                                  Multilingual Liaison                                         Multilingual Liaison     

Translators

  • *Please reach out to an EL Teacher if you need assistance from a translator. During the summer, please reach out to the program coordinator. 

    • Bosnian - Ramiza Peco
    • Chinese (Cantonese) - Dorothy Ng
    • French - Diane Cote
    • Japanese - Reiko Kida
    • Karen - USCRI
    • Korean - Eun (Cindy) Rancourt
    • Latvian - Liga Spoge  
    • Mandarin - Lili Feng
    • Nepali - Pawan Gautam
    • Nepali - Hem Bhattarai
    • Portuguese - Mariana Dalcum
    • Russian - Liga Spoge
    • Spanish - Begona Garcia de Ocio (evening) and Jaqui Prado (daytime) 
    • Swahili - Emily Lucia
    • Thai - Dee-Jai Cowles
    • Vietnamese - Kim Ahn Dinh
    • Vietnamese - My Dinh

     

    EWSD Multilingual Program Faculty

    EWSD Multilingual Program Faculty 

    • ADL: Courtney Power-Freeman
    • CTE: Marina Brzostoski and Cynthia Yopp
    • Essex Elementary: Stephanie Segretto
    • Founders: Melanie Cote
    • Essex Middle School: Hannah Prescott
    • Essex High School: Ashley Bry, Christine Sealey, and Maria Royer
    • Hiawatha Elementary: Terri Geffert
    • Summit Street Elementary: Kristina Natal
    • Thomas Fleming: Magda Lucia
    • District Preschool/Westford: Meg Pechenick
    • EL Department Chair: Christine Sealey
    • Multilingual Program Coordinator: Tamara Eklöf-Parks