Arlington school program helps immigrant families bridge language gap

This program works with the families and tries to get the children in the appropriate classes. So much depends on their English proficiency. - - Donna Poisl

By Kevin Sieff

A few days after Mikal Siele’s long journey from Eritrea ended in Arlington County this spring, she found herself in a nondescript office building, staring at a series of drawings, trying to think of the right English words.

What’s happening in this picture?” asked Monica Sugaray, who tests newly arrived students for Arlington public schools.

Mikal, 16, looked at the image of a man moving through water. “Swimming,” she said.
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