10% Of District 742 Students Learning English Language [AUDIO]

ST. CLOUD -- About 10% of the student population in the St. Cloud Area School District speaks very little English -- or no English at all.

Natalie Prasch is the English Learner Coordinator for the district.  She says there are about 1,000 kids enrolled in her program.  She says they range in age from five all the way up to 21 years old.

Prasch says the top three languages spoken among the students in the program are: Somalian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

She says they have several programs available, including one called "Jumpstart".

Prasch will be updating the school board on the program at tonight's (Thursday) meeting.  She'll be talking about some of the myths and challenges facing the district.