Bilingual Teachers Crucial to La Habra City School District

Nearly 1,000 students in La Habra City School District are classified as “limited English proficient,” according to a recent language survey. Spanish is the primary language for 94% of them.

Although the district operates 36 bilingual or ESL (English as a Second Language) classrooms, only 10 of the teachers are certified as bilingual teachers. The district plans to help teachers by offering training leading to full certification, Assistant Supt. Ruth Fehr said.

To qualify for the certificates, teachers must pass tests in culture, methodology and Spanish language. Fehr said several teachers have completed all but the language portion, which she described as very demanding.

“We probably have as many fully certificated teachers, proportionately, as most districts in the county,” Fehr said. Recruitment of bilingual teachers is difficult, she said, adding that the district is now searching for a bilingual kindergarten teacher.