PARENTS GUIDE TO



PARENTS GUIDE TO

ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Graded School welcomes you and your children into our school community. We trust that your time with us will be rewarding and enjoyable. Our purpose here is to help you understand the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program in the elementary school.

Close communication between school and home is essential to your child’s success at Graded. Parent-teacher meetings can take place whenever there is a need. In addition, you may contact any of our teachers or the counselor with any questions or concerns. Please make arrangements through the office secretary if you would like to meet with one of us.

Our Philosophy

We at Graded School believe ESL students should:

• feel safe to take the necessary risks as a language learner.

• have instruction which allows them to develop English skills according to their needs and abilities.

• be supported in their integration into the school’s mainstream academic program.

• participate in activities outside of the classroom so they can apply their English skills.

• continue to learn in their home languages.

The ESL Program at Graded Lower School

Students who are beginning to learn English are given support and instruction to ensure that their language acquisition goes smoothly

The ESL teachers support English language learners in different ways.

Beginner Program

This program is designed for students with no or very little knowledge of English. Students receive language instruction from the ESL specialist for one period of the day. Usually this instruction takes place out of the classroom. The goal is to develop vocabulary and the basic structures for communication in English. Children attend the other core-curriculum classes as well as Art, Music and P. E. classes together with their grade level class.

Classroom Support

The ESL teacher collaborates with the regular teacher to help English learners in the classroom. In grade one, the ESL teacher is in the class two or three periods per week. In grades two, three, four and five the ESL teacher is in the classroom one period each day. This helps the child to participate in regular class work, while receiving specific instruction in English. This support can take the form of individual or small group work.

PROGRESS REPORTS/REPORT CARDS

You will receive reports on your child’s progress four times each year. These reports will be completed by both the ESL teacher and by the class teacher. Their evaluations of your child’s progress, participation, and socialization will consider his or her level of English. Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice a year. In addition, other appointments can be arranged whenever there is a need.

EVALUATION/ASSESSMENTS

Students participating in the ESL Program will be evaluated both formally and informally. Formal assessments include Test of Language Development (TOLD) and Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) as well as teacher-made tests. Children are evaluated informally on a daily basis. Teachers assess your child’s language progress through teacher observation, anecdotal records, writing samples and conversations.

Each quarter the ESL report card will include both a checklist and a brief narrative. The ESL teachers meet regularly with class teachers to ensure that the students are meeting class expectations.

Students exit the ESL program when their English proficiency enables them to function successfully in the regular classroom with limited support.

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