An EL, or English Learner, is a student who is aged 3 through 21, whose home or native language is other than English, and whose current limitations in the ability to understand, speak, read or write English impact their effective participation in their school education programs. ELs may be immigrants or refugees born in another country or they may be born in the United States living in homes where another language besides (or in addition to) English is spoken. In USD 265, ELs are identified based upon the Home Language Survey which parents complete during enrollment.