English as a Second Language Program at the Secondary Level

Peg O’Grady, Supervisor of Pupil Services

Overview of the ESL program:

-HS teachers: Susan Calio and Ruth Nilan

-HS aide: Drew Chambers

-MS teacher: Wendy Michalski

-MS aide: Rhonda Gatt

HS Population: approximately 65

MS Population: approximately 25

Demographics:

-Mostly from rural Mexico and parents are migrant agricultural workers

-Parental education

-Implications of previous educational opportunities

The Identification Process:

-The Home Language Survey

-Woodcock Munoz Language Survey

-Wide Range Achievement Test

Power School and the meaning of ESL levels 1-9

Level 1-entering (instructional)

Level 2-beginning (instructional)

Level 3-developing (instructional)

Level 4-expanding (instructional)

Level 5- bridging (instructional)

Level 6- exited from direct services/monitored for first year

Level 7- monitored for second year

Level 8- no direct or indirect (monitoring) service any longer

Level 9- tested but not found to be eligible for ESL

Common Terms in ESL

ESL = English as a Second Language – the courseELL = English Language Learner – the personLTEL = Long-term English LearnerL1 and L2

BICS and CALPBasic Interpersonal Communication SkillsSocial languageVernacular10% of school success

Cognitive Academic Language ProficiencySchool languageVocabulary and syntax90% of school success

Goals of the ESL ProgramDevelop both BICS and CALP to assure that ELLs can access content

Attain academic standards

ESL standards •What teachers can expect of ELLs

as they progress through the language levels  

LTELs – Monitored StatusTwo yearsWatch these kidsCan go back into ESL Do go back and “visit” their ESL teachers

Your RoleAdaptations and modifications of curriculum, instruction, and assessmentVery easy part –

Smile, talk slowly and clearlySeat student near a Spanish speakerPartner with English speakersComprehensible input

Assessments and GradingHow to tell what kids know and can do Assessment of knowledge and skill, not language ability – or lack thereofGrading – accurate representation of students’ progress toward achievement of the standards

Help is Right Around the Corner

ESL teachers and aides

The AGHS and FSEMS teachers

Translations/Home School Communication:

-Official School Level or District Level Documents

-No classroom information sheets

-Check with ESL teacher and/or mentor to see if information sheets have already been translated

-AGI does have a translator while all other buildings use whoever is available based on urgency

Questions and Comments