English Learners (EL)
-
English as a Second Language Program
"Meeting the academic and social needs of English language learners, collaborating with classroom teachers, fostering relationships with the international business community and supporting parents of English language learners"
Introduction
Auburn City Schools (ACS) provides a program for English language learners that includes content-based language instruction and supports cultural synthesis for students and their families. Our program focuses on students becoming fully proficient in the four domains of language: Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing. It is the expectation of our program that students maintain the rigor of the academic programs, while encountering social and cultural integration.
Core Language Program
Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE)
Content teachers provide instruction that simultaneously introduces both language and content, using specialized techniques to accommodate ELs’ linguistic needs. Instruction focuses on the teaching of academic content rather than the English language itself, even though the acquisition of English may be one of the instructional goals.
Students can waive supplemental services provided by an ESL teacher but cannot waive the core program provided by content teachers.Services
The ACS English as a Second Language (ESL) program is responsible for tasks related to curriculum development, program monitoring, staff development, assessment, and parent and community outreach. The ESL program offers formal instruction with ESL teachers to students who qualify for the ESL program as defined by the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT).
Placement and Assessment
The first step in placement is the Home Language Survey, completed at registration. If English is the second language of the student or if the student communicates at home primarily in a different language, the student is given the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test to determine eligibility. Students who are eligible for the ESL program (Title III) are assigned an ELP Level 1-5 based on results of their language proficiency assessment. The language progress of students is measured in the spring of each year with the WIDA ACCESS test. The students must reach a 4.8 on the ACCESS. Parents and students are notified of their ELP progress during the first semester of the new school year.
Instructional Program
The program for English language learners is designed to assist them in learning English as well as meeting state content standards. Curriculum follows grade level standards and the language proficiency ELP standards of World Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Consortium. Instruction is adapted to the student’s ELP to assist in meeting the state academic content and achievement standards that all students are expected to meet. Program support delivery models are sheltered pull-out for
students with limited English language skills and inclusionary push-in (co-teaching) for students with higher levels of ELP.Click the following link to download the PDF of the Identification and Placement Procedure Chart
English Language Proficiency Standards
Standard 1: English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes.
Standard 2: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Language Arts.
Standard 3: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Mathematics.
Standard 4: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Science.
Standard 5: English language learners communicate for academic success in the content area of Social Studies.ESL Teachers
The ACS ESL teachers are specially trained and appropriately certified by the State to teach ESL. The teachers regularly present information at faculty meetings to build the capacity of all teachers across the curriculum. They also provide professional development on various topics related to language learning and acquisition. The ACS ESL program strongly believes in collaborating with regular classroom teachers to meet the needs of English language learners.
In addition, the ESL teachers meet individually with parents to discuss the needs and expectations of their student. Parents are encouraged to actively participate in their child’s language learning and their regular school day as a volunteer. Parents are invited to attend forums and work sessions facilitated by our teachers. These informal meetings include discussions and strategy demonstrations to show parents how to support their student’s language acquisition in the home. Our program also provides information to parents about activities in the community that may foster and facilitate language learning.Contact the Parent Liaisons by clicking on the link below.
Korean Liaison
Spanish Liaisons
Parent Engagement Liaison
