INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana has launched a new program aimed at recruiting more teachers for English language learning.

English language learning (ELL) courses are meant for students whose primary language is not English. The number of children enrolled in these courses has grown significantly in recent years.

Indiana Education Secretary Katie Jenner says “Since 2016, we’ve seen a 50% increase in English learner students.”

The state has increased the number of ELL teachers by 38% in the past two years, but Jenner said, “that’s still not enough to meet the growing need.”

The state is partnering with a dozen colleges and universities to offer a free program that will allow teachers to get certified in English as a New Language.

The certification program is being paid for with $2 million in federal COVID relief funding, according to the Indiana Department of Education.

Registration has opened for teachers interested in this new program.