Understanding the Home Language Survey: A Quick Guide for Families
When your child enrolls in our school district, you will be asked to complete a brief form called the Home Language Survey (HLS). Here is what you need to know about how it works and why it matters:
1. What is the Home Language Survey?
State law requires every new student’s family to complete this survey. It asks two simple questions:
- Is a language other than English spoken in your home?
- Does your child speak a language other than English?
This survey helps schools identify students who may benefit from extra language support so they can succeed in all of their classes.
2. How the School Uses Your Answers
- If you answer “YES” to either question:
- Your child is identified as a potential English Learner.
- The school checks past academic records to see if your child was previously tested or enrolled in a language program.
- If there are no recent test scores on file, the school will administer an English proficiency screening to determine if language support services are needed.
- If you answer “NO” to both questions:
- Your child usually goes straight into standard classroom instruction without language screening.
- Note: The school will still review past state records to ensure your child’s needs are met accurately.
3. What Happens Next?
The Home Language Survey is simply the first step in ensuring your child receives the right educational support. If screening is required, it will be completed promptly, and the school will share the results with you directly.
Illinois Preschool Home Language Survey
Watch this video to learn about a tool we use in Illinois to identify children’s home languages. You will learn about your rights and how schools use the Home Language Survey.
Illinois Preschool Home Language Survey – Spanish
Mire este video para conocer una herramienta que utilizamos en Illinois para identificar los idiomas que hablan los niños en su casa. Aprenderá sobre sus derechos y cómo las escuelas utilizan la Encuesta sobre el idioma que hablan los niños en su casa.
Illinois Preschool Home Language Survey – Arabic
شاهد هذا الفيديو للتعرف على أداة نستخدمها في إلينوي لتحديد اللغات الأم للأطفال. ستتعرف على حقوقك وكيف تستخدم المدارس استبيان اللغة الأم.
Young Children and the Bilingual Brain
Helping your child maintain their home language or learn a new language from an early age has lasting benefits that go beyond just speaking more than one language.” The State of Illinois has a statewide goal to nurture bilingualism in all children, and your commitment to your home language is an important part of that goal. Watch this video to learn more.
Young Children and the Bilingual Brain – Spanish
Ayudar a su hijo a mantener su lengua materna o aprender un nuevo idioma desde una edad temprana tiene beneficios duraderos que van más allá de simplemente hablar más de un idioma. El estado de Illinois tiene como objetivo estatal fomentar el bilingüismo en todos los niños, y su compromiso con su lengua materna es una parte importante de ese objetivo. Mire este video para obtener más información.
Young Children and the Bilingual Brain – Arabic
إن مساعدة طفلك على الحفاظ على لغته الأم أو تعلم لغة جديدة منذ سن مبكرة له فوائد دائمة تتجاوز مجرد التحدث بأكثر من لغة واحدة.” لدى ولاية إلينوي هدف على مستوى الولاية لتنمية ثنائية اللغة لدى جميع الأطفال، والتزامك بلغتك الأم هو جزء مهم من هذا الهدف. شاهد هذا الفيديو لمعرفة المزيد.