ESL
The Classroom as a Melting Pot
Dr . Chris Winiarski rentwood Borough SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Brentwood Borough School District
Chris Winiarski
66 Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall
Pluralism , ethnic diversity , multiculturalism , melting pot- all of these words are used to describe a society where many different cultures of people blend together as one . Communication between people is paramount in the success of that society , so how do we address the issue of different languages spoken ?
With 40 million foreign-born residents currently living in the United States , English as a Second Language ( ESL ) programs are booming in public schools . The National Center for Education Statistics cites an increase in students speaking a language other than English at home , from 4.7 million in 1980 to 11.2 million in 2009 .
Students who are learning to speak English are called English Language Learners and often referred to as ELs . Students who qualify for ESL programs are between three and 21 years of age , are enrolled in an elementary or secondary school , were born in another country and do not speak English as their native language . Their English proficiency skills prevent them from accessing the gradelevel curriculum and performing well on standardized tests administered each year . The Brentwood-Borough School District is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion throughout its entire campus- in the classrooms , in the lunch room , during extra-curricular activities , and in the community . There are more than 61,000 English Learners ( ELs ) speaking more than 200 different languages in Pennsylvania . The education of students whose dominant language is not English and who are English Language Learners is the responsibility of every district in the Commonwealth . In Brentwood schools , we currently serve over 70 ELs who speak 10 languages other than English . The goal of ESL programs is to develop English proficiency and academic achievement of students whose native or first language is not English . Without instruction in social and academic English and appropriate support for learning academic content , these students are at risk of losing the educational opportunities provided to non-EL students .
When foreign-born students first enter the school system , they are assessed for their current level of English language proficiency . Schools ask families to fill out a Home Language Survey to establish the child ' s native language and the language currently spoken at home . School staff also conduct an informal interview with the student and their family . A formal screening assessment is administered to determine the student ' s skills in the areas of reading , writing , listening , and speaking .
Brentwood currently utilizes three PA certified ESL teachers who teach the ELs in small groups . Students are grouped with other ELs who are of similar age , grade , and language proficiency levels and they are provided with daily instruction which is aligned to PC Core Standards , PA English Language Development Standards , and supported by a high quality , research-based acquisition curriculum .
There are many strategies teachers use to assist their students in learning English and familiarizing them with American culture . The use of visual cues is a tremendous support , as students may see the item or action being described . Technology has