| ES Student Services |
| Written by James Duval | |
English as an Additional LanguageBenjamin Franklin offers English as an Additional Language (EAL) for students who qualify in grades K through 8. Students whose first language is one other than English are tested in September to determine whether or not they are eligible to receive EAL services. Each student is re-evaluated on a regular basis to measure growth in English and determine if the student is ready to exit the program. The LAS Links Assessment is our tool for measuring English language proficiency. Admission of students in grades Nursery through 3rd grade is not dependent on their level of English language proficiency. Admission of students in grades 4 through 12 is dependent on their level of English language proficiency. Therefore, before a student is admitted to grades 4 through 12, his or her English language proficiency must be assessed. Students in grades 9 through 12 must be proficient listeners, speakers, readers and writers in order to be admitted to BFIS. BFIS has implemented the inclusion model for EAL services. This model allows children full access to regular classroom instruction. The EAL specialists and classroom teachers collaboratively plan lessons and facilitate activities in a variety of ways. EAL specialists often work alongside homeroom teachers or with small groups of students to modify activities and implement strategies to help meet each student’s language needs. While social language is easy for students to acquire, specialized academic language is much harder for students to learn and use. Research shows that the inclusion model is a way to help students acquire academic language more efficiently. Typically, it takes between one and two years for a student to acquire basic communication skills in English and between five to seven years to become proficient in the use of academic English. Research also shows that older students often need a basic knowledge of English to allow them to build further academic vocabulary and language concepts. For students entering an English medium curriculum in the higher grades, where the language gap between native speakers and English Language Learners is quite wide, small group instruction in the EAL classroom can allow students to master this basic knowledge and give them tools with which to approach the grade-level content. Guidance Counselors Our Elementary Guidance Counselor is an advocate for students as well as a liaison and resource for faculty and families. The social and emotional development of students has a direct impact on their academic success and counselors assist students in working toward reaching their full potential by monitoring academic progress and fostering social and emotional development.
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| Last Updated on Sunday, 08 August 2010 19:47 |