ESOLESOLEnglish for Speakers English for Speakers of Other Languagesof Other Languages

ELL- English Language LearnerELL- English Language LearnerNancy Urnes-CoordinatorNancy Urnes-Coordinator

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Parkway’s ELL Parkway’s ELL Population:Population:

K-12 500+ studentsK-12 500+ students K-1 Stay at their “home” schools and receive K-1 Stay at their “home” schools and receive

services from traveling teachersservices from traveling teachers Center Schools: 4 Elementary (Carman Trails, Center Schools: 4 Elementary (Carman Trails,

Green Trails, Craig, and Ross)Green Trails, Craig, and Ross) Middle (Central Middle, NEM 07-08)Middle (Central Middle, NEM 07-08) High School (Central High)High School (Central High) Our students come from over 50 countries and Our students come from over 50 countries and

speak more than 40 languagesspeak more than 40 languages

Why do we have ESOL:Why do we have ESOL:

2000 with “No Child Left Behind” the federal 2000 with “No Child Left Behind” the federal government mandated “accountability” for government mandated “accountability” for various sub-groups.various sub-groups.

ELLs are one of these groups. Each district ELLs are one of these groups. Each district must provide services for ELLs. This must be must provide services for ELLs. This must be reported to the state and then the state reports reported to the state and then the state reports to the federal government. There is federal to the federal government. There is federal money (Title III) available to help fund the money (Title III) available to help fund the program. It is against the law to not provide program. It is against the law to not provide English language services to students that English language services to students that need it.need it.

A typical Parkway ELL:A typical Parkway ELL:

No such thing!No such thing! Can be a refugee, immigrantCan be a refugee, immigrant Can be here due to employment/education of Can be here due to employment/education of

parents (temporary)parents (temporary) Can come from an educated backgroundCan come from an educated background Can come from a background of extreme Can come from a background of extreme

povertypoverty While proficiency can take time, the younger While proficiency can take time, the younger

students can acquire language quite quicklystudents can acquire language quite quickly

Welcome to Parkway….Welcome to Parkway….

And US public education! And US public education! The US system is very different than most other countries…The US system is very different than most other countries… Don’t forget about “culture shock”!Don’t forget about “culture shock”! Sometimes parents of ELLs mistake language services for Special Sometimes parents of ELLs mistake language services for Special

EducationEducation Students shouldn’t be interpreters.Students shouldn’t be interpreters. It is important that students maintain their native language at It is important that students maintain their native language at

homehome Current research (Dr. Patricia Kuhl at the University of Current research (Dr. Patricia Kuhl at the University of

Washington) is proving that a multi-lingual upbringing is an asset Washington) is proving that a multi-lingual upbringing is an asset to the intelligence of the child, especially in the area of mental to the intelligence of the child, especially in the area of mental dexterity.dexterity.

Reminders when speaking Reminders when speaking to a family of non-nativeto a family of non-nativespeakersspeakers

Speak slower, not louder Speak slower, not louder It is all about tone and facial expressionIt is all about tone and facial expression No slangNo slang No idiomsNo idioms Use simple language without being condescendingUse simple language without being condescending Ask family if they have questions. They may not feel Ask family if they have questions. They may not feel

comfortable initiating a question.comfortable initiating a question. Use your best judgment about whetherUse your best judgment about whether a student needs to be tested or not.a student needs to be tested or not. If you have a question, contact an ESOL teacher, or If you have a question, contact an ESOL teacher, or

me. me.

Diversity is the one true thing that Diversity is the one true thing that we have in common. Celebrate it we have in common. Celebrate it

everyday. -everyday. -anonymous

-Embrace and highlight the ethnic -Embrace and highlight the ethnic diversity here with flags, bulletin boards, diversity here with flags, bulletin boards, guest-speakers ex.Green Trails clocks, guest-speakers ex.Green Trails clocks, Thanksgiving “Feast”, Spring Thanksgiving “Feast”, Spring International FestivalInternational Festival

-”Culturegrams” Website-”Culturegrams” Website

-Student initiated projects-Student initiated projects

Strategies for ELLsStrategies for ELLs

Common sense!Common sense! Lots of visualsLots of visuals Advance Organizers and use of prior Advance Organizers and use of prior

knowledge is keyknowledge is key Cooperative learning:Cooperative learning: use heterogeneous groups; lots of use heterogeneous groups; lots of

repetition and feedbackrepetition and feedback Summarizing and Note TakingSummarizing and Note Taking

About ELLsAbout ELLs

Honor the “silent period”Honor the “silent period”

Be aware of the difference in social Be aware of the difference in social language and academic languagelanguage and academic language

Many non-Romance/non-European Many non-Romance/non-European languages read from right to leftlanguages read from right to left

Questions???Questions???

Contact Nancy Urnes x57050Contact Nancy Urnes x57050 For a list of the names and extensions of For a list of the names and extensions of

the ESOL teachers in Parkway, go to the the ESOL teachers in Parkway, go to the Curriculum and Development website Curriculum and Development website and click on the ESOL department and click on the ESOL department websitewebsite

Thank you and have a great year!!! Thank you and have a great year!!!