I think the teacher could send home weekly (bi-weekly or monthly) newsletters that explain the events that are going on in the classroom and some of the work students have been doing, along with praise and ways that parents can contribute at home so students' performances continue to grow and improve. You could also request students get it signed by a parent and returned with any ideas or suggestions from their end, especially if they cannot make meetings.

First, I would make sure that there is not a language barrier that is preventing the parents from attending. Do the parents feel comfortable at the school? Is there someone at the school that speaks the same language and can talk to the parent with ease. Also, the ESOL could reach out to the parents and personally invite the parents to attend. Also, is the meetings/newsletters in the parent's language?

Something else would be to have an ESOL night at the school and have all different cultures represented. Make sure to include a variety of cultures and not just the cultures of current students. Thinking about the community as a whole. All the children to explore and learn about about everyone. Children and parents would feel welcome and understand that the school is made up of all different backgrounds.

I do a little activity every other month called Parent and Child Time (PACT). I have found that it gets parents more involved. They come and do a little craft or activity with their kids that I plan for them. It's a less intimidating environment for some of the parents who don't want to sit down and have an actual parent conference. Their children really motivate them to come too because the students get so excited about it and bug their parents about it until they come. Then, I can walk around to each parent and have a more informal conversation with them.

Through my experience I have seen that events with food and games are more likely to attract parents to the school. You will want to make them comfortable first and offer an incentive, yes even for parents, in order to get them to come and participate! We hold school wide family math, science, and reading nights, which include games and sometimes food and parents of all cultures usually show up.

At my school we offer the students incentives for taking important papers home to their parents. We find sometimes this is the only way to commuicate with parents. I know it is frustrating with this situation. We had an ESOL teacher meet parents at resturants or other places to just to try and communicate with parents also. Good luck!