CLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) Considered by some to be a more cross-culturally respectful term than others that are used, this term refers to a student whose culture or language is different from that of the dominant culture or language in US society.

ELL (English Language Learners)  This term is often used to refer to children or adults who are learning English.

ENL (English as a New Language)  This label refers to those for whom English is a new language, whether their second, third, or fourth new language.​

ESL (English as a Second Language)  Often used to describe people for whom English is not their first language. ELL is starting to be used more frequently than ESL, since often English is not just a second language, but a third or fourth language.

 LEP (Limited English Proficient)  ​This term is currently used by the federal government and is therefore on many official documents sent home to parents.  Referring to those for whom English is a new language, this term is being used less often by teachers because of the negative connotation of the word "Limited".