What
is ESOL (also known as ESL)?
It is a program of English language,
cultural instruction and academic
support for students whose home or native language is not
English. GWRSD’s ESOL program follows the New Hampshire state
standards for curriculum, instruction, and assessment.
The goals of the program are for students to be able to:
* learn all of their school subjects in English.
* succeed socially and academically in school.
* meet state academic content standards.
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| How do ESOL teachers teach?
They:
- collaborate with regular
classroom teachers to provide appropriate curriculum, instruction, and
assessment (supporting content with modifications, if necessary).
- use a variety of methods to make
sure students understand what they are being taught.
- arrange for “peer-buddies” to
help whenever possible.
- work with students one-on-one
and/or in small groups.
- communicate with ESOL students’
families; arrange for translators, if necessary.
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What do ESOL students learn?
- Listening, speaking, reading and
writing in English
- Vocabulary and skills to master
the same core subjects as other students in their classroom: math,
science, social studies, and language arts, as well as all other
subjects
- Language skills for social and
classroom use
- American culture
- “Survival” English (for entering
ESOL students)
- Learning strategies and study
skills
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Where do
ESOL teachers teach?
- In regular classrooms with
English speaking peers, when possible
- In separate classrooms, library
or conference rooms (more frequently used with high school and middle
school students)
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Assessments
If a
language other than English is spoken at home, students are tested for
English language skills to
decide if ESOL services are necessary. The tests are nationally normed
and appropriate for a student’s age, grade, and approximate level of
English.
* In addition, ESOL
students take a standardized
test each year to determine progress.
* The parent/guardian(s), classroom teacher, and
ESOL teacher form
a team and make decisions together about a student’s ESOL placement and
services. The guidance counselor is also part of this team at the high
school level.
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Cultural
Factors
* ESOL students and their families are encouraged to
maintain their native languages and cultures in addition to English.
* Students and families are invited to share their
languages and cultures with classes. |
Proficiency Levels
The following five language
proficiency levels outline the
progression of English language development. Upon
completion of Level 5, a student should be able to
succeed in the
GWRSD program of instruction independently.
- Entering
- Beginning
- Developing
- Expanding
- Bridging
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Exiting
The ESOL team decides when students are ready to be exited from the
program. After exiting, a student is monitored for minimum of 2 years.
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