English As a Second Language
Mission
The mission of the Ames Community School District’s (ACSD) English as a Second Language (ESL) program is to provide English Language Learners (ELLs) with language and cultural instruction in a welcoming environment in order to increase academic achievement and social development.
Goals
The goals of the ACSD’s ESL program are aligned with the following: international Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Goals and Standards and the federal government’s No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. The ultimate goal is to increase ELLs English language proficiency and raise their academic achievement so that students will be successful in their classes.
TESOL PreK-12 English Language Proficiency Standards
- English Language Learners communicate for social, intercultural, and instructional purposes within the school setting.
- English Language Learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of language arts.
- English Language Learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of mathematics.
- English Language Learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of science.
- English Language Learners communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the area of social studies.
NCLB Mandates
To help ensure that children who are limited English proficient:
- attain English proficiency.
- develop high levels of academic attainment in English.
- meet the same challenging State academic content and student academic achievement standards as all children are expected to meet.
Educational Approach
Elementary
Ames Elementary ELLs may experience one of the following models or a combination:
- Pull-out: Students spend most of the school day in a regular classroom, but are pulled out for a portion of each day to receive instruction in English as a second language.
- Push-in: Students may remain in the regular classroom and receive English language support from the classroom teacher or the ESL teacher.
Middle School
ELLs are assigned to ESL classes for one or two periods, in addition to an ESL study hall. ESL classes are typically divided according to English proficiency, as well as grade level. Classes are focused on English language development and an introduction to American culture using a variety of strategies. Class time may also be used to support ELLs with their content area coursework.
High School
Sheltered classes are available for ELLs to receive required high school credit in US History, World Studies, and English. ESL Reading is offered as an individualized class based on the ELLs’ level of English proficiency. ESL Beginners and ESL Intermediate help develop the foundational skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
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