Boston's Title I English as a Second Language (ESL) program (1981-82) was designed to provide supplementary ESL instruction to educationally deprived children in elementary and middle schools. The program's major objectives were to develop aural-oral English language skills in limited-English-speaking children, and to help them adjust socially and progress academically. The program as a whole was judged to be successful, with elementary school students mastering 77 percent of performance objectives, and middle school students mastering 84 percent. Pre-post test scores also showed overall gains, with middle school gains far exceeding the board program goal. The program was fully implemented even with the budgetary restrictions and personnel limitations that were imposed upon it. Although the program met its objectives, it was weakened not only by the reduction in staff but also by the assignment of teachers unprepared in ESL techniques. Only the program's strong momentum, resulting from 15 years of carefully developed materials, excellent direction, and well-established approach, allowed it to be so successful. (CMG)