The U.S. Department of Education defines English Language Learners (ELLs) as follows: "A [Limited English Proficient] student, or English language learner (ELL) is defined as an individual who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English; or who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant”.

The Boone County School District has nearly 20,000 students, which include 1,200 English Language Learners who speak over 50 languages. In 2018 the school district partnered with the Boone County Cooperative Extension Service, along with the Boone County Library, to form the Boone County English Learner Newcomer Academy. The academy was created to provide additional resources to children in the district with low levels of English Language proficiency and new to the United States school systems.

During the 2019/2020 school year 9^th and 10^th grade students met monthly at the Boone County Extension Service for lessons in life skills, concentrating on nutrition and cooking. In addition, the 4-H youth development agent went to the school every other month and taught hands-on lessons. Some of the lessons included: reading food labels; recognizing and interpreting myPlate; and recognizing and practicing the importance of proper personal hygiene.  Life skills are the skills we need to deal effectively with the challenges in everyday life, whether at school, at work or in our personal lives. With over 18 contact hours this school year, the students participated in hands-on real world experiences, required oral communication in English, and targeted 4 common core standards – reading, writing, listening and speaking. The life skill lessons taught key vocabulary words, phrases, and questions so students can successfully complete day-to-day tasks. Students who are able to understand and use these skills, along with their educational qualifications, will be better placed to take advantage of educational and employment opportunities. 

At the end of the school year teachers and students were surveyed. As a result of the collaboration students built confidence both in spoken and reading skills and for group collaboration and cooperation; found new ways of thinking and problem solving; and developed a greater sense of self-awareness and appreciation for others. The teacher stated the academy created a cross cultural family. Their academic progress is nothing compared to their social confidence and learning experiences.

The Migration Policy Institute stated over 10 percent of students in the United States—more than 4.8 million kids—are English language learners (ELLs), and the number is on the rise. Though these students do not learn differently than their native-English-speaking peers, they do have particular educational needs. In a constantly changing environment, having life skills is an essential part of being able to meet the challenges of everyday life. The more we develop life skills individually, the more these affect and benefit the world in which we live.