ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

English as a Second Language (ESL) is a program for students whose native language is not English. E.S.L. instructors teach English vocabulary and language use incorporating the cultural aspects of each student’s experiences. About 250 students receive E.S.L. instruction each year.

Eligibility and criteria for ESL services fall into four categories.

Students who recently immigrated to the U. S. and who have little or no English communicative skills.
• Students born in the U. S. who use a language other than English in their home or in their non-English speaking community.
• Students who have studied ESL elsewhere and have limited competency in English
• Students who are in a transitional phase of their language acquisitions. These students may be communicative in social situations but require further help in developing their writing and reading skills.

The following assessments are used to identify a student’s proficiency with English for the purpose of entering and exiting the ESL program: Teacher Assessment Sheet, Maculaitis Test II or Language Assessment Battery.