English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program provides high-quality English language instruction that assists students with acquiring the basic interpersonal communication skills and essential academic language proficiency to function successfully in a regular classroom. The program enrolls linguistically and culturally diverse students who require intensive instruction in English as a new language. Students are placed in an appropriate level, 1 through 5, of ESOL instruction based on their academic English language proficiency. ESOL classes provide instruction in the acquisition of Academic English, with specific emphasis on the listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills needed for success in a rigorous academic environment. Students explore an understanding of the human experience from a multicultural perspective as they develop reading and writing skills across content areas. They are exposed to developmentally appropriate texts representing the genres of narration, poetry, drama, and exposition, and they are taught to analyze text from an historical and cultural perspective. Students develop competency in understanding spoken English, using grammatically correct English to express social and academic needs, and in organizing and clearly expressing their ideas in written English. Valuing and promoting the home language and culture of ESOL students fosters the understanding that literacy in one’s native language is essential to the transfer of skills across languages. All educators in the schools collaborate to provide an effective education for ESOL students.
The METS program (Multidisciplinary Education Training, and Support) is designed for students who have had interrupted formal education.
The SEPA program (Students Engaged in Pathways to Achievement) is a career-based instructional program for Spanish-speaking high school ESOL students who have experienced interrupted or limited formal education. To be eligible for the SEPA program, students must be at least 18 years of age by the end of the school year.
|
