ESL at EMS

History of ESL 2001 – NCLB; focus on research-based instruction 2006 – ESL standards revised in response to research 2007 – English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) become part of TAC 74.4 In Texas

Big Ideas: Make content comprehensible, Build academic language Big Responsibilities: Curriculum must be… Communicated, Sequenced, Scaffolded Linguistically Accommodated: Student Expectations… Learning strategies, Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing Proficiency Level Descriptors: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced High The ELPS- Building a Mental Framework

Here is the short of it… GOLD- Active LEP students you should have accommodations and performance level descriptors. Considered ESL and will take TELPAS in the spring. These accommodations are the law just like Special Education accommodations. Blue & Green- Former LEP students with no accommodations and no TELPAS. We simply monitor their progress for two years. The colors indicate blue year one and green year two. The current spreadsheet is on the share drive under ESL. TOTAL LEP STUDENTS WITH ACCOMMODATIONS- 48 TOTAL, Monitor only, NO Accommodations- 8 TOTAL # OF STUDENTS IN Ereckson ESL program- 64

Ways to help our students: 1. Print, avoid cursive writing if at all possible. 2. Teach students what to say when they don’t know what to say. 3. Require everyone in the room to speak in complete sentences. 4. Use total response signals. 5. Have students participate in conversation, structured reading, and writing activities. 6. PLEASE communicate with us.

Print Some of the students are just learning to read English. Cursive looks like an unknown symbol to some LEP students.

Teach Students What to Say When They Don’t Know What to Say May I please have some more info? May I have some time to think? May I ask a friend for help? Where could I find that info? Our goal… Students respond OR ask for help then respond!

Require Everyone in the Room to Speak in Complete Sentences Sample sentence stems: Question: Stem: Who is the …? ______ is the … What do you think…? I think… What is an example of…?An example of ___ is… How could you explain that…? The reason that… What is meant by…? The meaning of ___is… Which would you choose…? I would choose…

Use Total Response Signals This seems so elementary but it is a simple non-verbal indicator to limited English speakers who are resistant to participate. Researchers agree, non-verbal participation leads to verbal participation in non- threatening ways.

Use Total Response Signals Examples: Number or ABC off and discuss in small groups Agree on one side of the room, disagree on the other side of the room and discuss in small groups Rank understanding by holding up fingers or dry erase boards and discuss in small groups Use a spinner, secret sticker under chair, dice, Smart Board randomizer and discuss in small groups

Have students participate in conversation, structured reading, and writing activities Write it, say it, repeat it, end with it. Use simple language and images to encourage participation. Pair students by: birth month, birth order, letters in first name, hair color, height, shoulder partner for these activities. “If students don’t verbalize, students won’t internalize!”

What about a linguistic accommodated STAAR Test? LEP students are expected to take the STAAR tests this spring like all English speakers. There will be few linguistic accommodations that have not yet been approved and released by the state. Stay tuned in!

Grade Report Comments If teachers would like to include information regarding linguistically accommodated instruction, the following comments may be used: “Accommodations for LEP” --or--“Accommodated for LEP” These two comments better align with Chapter 89 requirements that all English language learners should be “afforded full opportunity to master the [grade level] essential knowledge and skills.”

Please us with questions and concerns. Communication is key! Hallie Winters- ESL Content Strategies, Beginning & Advanced ESL English Amy Hickman- ESL Content Strategies & Inclusion