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