In recent years, services to English Language Learners (ELLs) students have become diversified in our state. Increased interest among educators to explore innovative approaches to language and culture education spurred the formation of the ENLACE network in 1994. The network grew out of a statewide effort initially to improve foreign language instruction in elementary schools. Funding was set aside to encourage a few schools to attempt new models in language education. The Illinois Resource Center, because of its strong role in language minority education in Illinois, pushed for combining efforts in foreign language education for language majority students along with efforts in second language education for language minority students.

Five elementary schools submitted plans to improve their language program. These five schools were at differing levels of implementation, ranging from having a full-fledged dual language education program to not having a systematic plan for either foreign language instruction or for their English language learner population.

These five schools participated in a summer institute, supported by the state, to which other schools with interest in this topic were invited. During the summer of 1994, the five participating schools helped each other, under the guidance of the Illinois Resource Center, to raise the standards of language and culture education. Of the five schools, MacArthur Elementary in Schaumburg School District #54, in particular, attained significant levels of sophistication in its model, and with the help of subsequent Title VII grants, continued to develop its program in very innovative ways.

As schools continued to develop their programs, and as the Illinois Resource Center continued to provide support and staff development, other schools in the Chicago metropolitan area joined the network and began to set their own agenda. The IRC was able to respond to specific needs of the network and, in addition to plan special staff development events. For example, in 1998 the Annual Statewide Conference for Teachers of Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Students included a special keynote event with Bob Peterson from Escuela Fratney, a dual language school in Milwaukee, WI, and founding member of Rethinking Schools. In 1999, two prominent researchers, Nancy Cloud and Fred Genesee, in the field of two-way immersion instruction were featured at the State Conference for the ENLACE network. Other ENLACE Keynotes have included Rebecca Freeman, (Caslon Inc.) and Barbara Flores (California State University at San Bernadino).

In 1999, ENLACE sponsored a series of quarterly meetings that brought national dual language experts to present on topics identified by the network. In addition, the network invited high school students who are contemplating a career in teaching to a presentation by local universities offering bilingual/ESL/dual language teacher training programs. Similar activities are continuing this year. If you are interested in joining the network and coming to ENLACE events please contact Mary Devadas at (847) 803-3112.

PROJECT DUAL U APPLICATION FORM