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Who are LEPs?

Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals are those whose native language is one other than English and who might have difficulties speaking, reading, writing or understanding English. The terms "English for Speakers of Other Languages" (ESOL) or "English as a Second Language" (ESL) are used to identify the teaching of English to students whose first language is other than English. In the state of Florida, ESL (English as a Second Language) is the most common one used nationwide; however, the terms mean the same thing. "Vocational English to Speakers of Other Languages" is a teaching of English required to be successful in a vocational program or workplace. In Florida, students from different cultural and linguistic backgrounds are welcome in our classrooms. Teachers and school staff appreciate these students' language and heritage, and build upon the skills and concepts already mastered in their first language to assist them in acquiring English language and culture. That is why preference is given in Florida to the denotation of LEP as "Language Enriched Pupils" since these students bring with them to school a richness of language and culture to be recognized and nurtured. In other states, such as Illinois, these students' previous knowledge is also recognized, and they are classified as Potentially English Proficient (PEP). (OMSLE, 1995)

This program was developed by the State of Florida Adult Secondary/GED/VPI Committee of the Practitioners' Task Force, through an Adult Education State Leadership Grant from the Florida Department of Education, Division of Community Colleges and Workforce Education.

Disclaimer: While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this web-based training component, it is not an official publication of the Florida Department of Education.