DEPTFORD TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

Today we will discuss… Teacher Introductions Overview of ESL Population Social Language Versus Academic Language State Testing -Accommodations for ESL Students Tips for Parents Contact Information

OUR PROGRAM English as a Second Language instruction is provided at four Deptford Township schools. Central Early Childhood Center – Grades K and 1 Good Intent Elementary School – Grades 2-6 Monongahela Middle School – Grades 7 and 8 Deptford High School – Grades 9-12

ESL students at Central School receive English language instruction for 30 minutes each day in small groups and extra support as needed with Kasia Liu or Vicki Buda.

ESL Students at Good Intent School receive 30 minutes of small group instruction and extra support as needed with Mrs. Vicki Buda or Mrs. Theresa Vigliotta Good Intent is the magnet school for all 2 nd through 6 th grade English Language Learners at Deptford Township Public Schools.

ESL Students at Monongahela Middle School receive one or two class periods of small group instruction and/or support in their Language Arts classroom as needed with Theresa Vigliotta.

ESL Students at Deptford High School receive one or two class periods of English language instruction as needed with Ms. Melida Mattiacci.

ESL Curriculum Supports the regular language arts curriculum. Provides instruction that integrates reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Administers ongoing assessments and evaluations. Integrates the recognition of students’ native heritage with continuing awareness of American culture.

DEPTFORD’S ESL STUDENTS 2015 – Students 12 Languages ArabicPunjabi SpanishGreek FarsiTurkish PashtoHindi ChineseBengali VietnamesePolish FrenchGujarati

What does a language learner have in common with an iceberg? Tip of the Iceberg = Social Language Hidden Part of the Iceberg = Academic Language

TWO TYPES OF LANGUAGE LEARNING SOCIAL This type of language is typically developed first. Children use this in day-to-day situations on the playground, on the school bus, in the lunch room and in other casual conversations with friends and family members.  Usually students can master this type of language within six months to two years of coming to the U.S. ACADEMIC This type of language involves listening, reading, speaking and writing about math, language arts, science, social studies and other school subjects they are learning. As students get older, this type of language is more difficult to master. It usually takes five to seven years for ESL students to catch up to their peers.

ESL PERFORMANCE LEVELS

ALL ESL STUDENTS IN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY TAKE THE ACCESS FOR ELLs ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY TEST IN THE SPRING. NOTICES WILL BE SENT HOME WITH YOUR CHILD TO INFORM YOU OF THEIR TESTING DATES.

Parents of ESL students receive a score report during the summer to inform them of their child’s English Language Proficiency Level. *Please see sample PARENT/GUARDIAN REPORT How do I know what my child’s test score is?

WILL MY CHILD BE IN THE ESL PROGRAM NEXT YEAR? YOUR PARENT REPORT WILL COME TO YOU WITH A LETTER THAT INFORMS YOU IF: – YOUR CHILD WILL BE IN THE ESL PROGRAM THE NEXT SCHOOL YEAR OR – YOUR CHILD WILL NO LONGER NEED THE SUPPORT OF ESL INSTRUCTION

WHO MAKES THIS DECISION? ACCESS TEST SCORE AT OR CLOSE TO 5.0 YOUR CHILD’S ESL TEACHER MAKES THE FINAL DECISION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CHILD SHOULD BE IN ESL AGAIN BASED ON THREE MAIN FACTORS: STUDENT’S PROGRESS IN HIS/HER REGULAR CLASSROOM ESL TEACHER’S PROFESSIONAL EVALUATION AND JUDGMENT

According to NJ State Education Laws, ESL students are entitled to accommodations that will give them an equal opportunity to succeed in the classroom. o EXTRA TIME ON TESTS o TAKING TESTS WITH AN ESL TEACHER o LANGUAGE PRESENTED IN SIMPLIFIED TERMS IF NEEDED o USE OF TRANSLATION DEVICES ON TESTS OR IN CLASSROOM o MODIFIED GRADING Please communicate with your child’s teachers to:  assist them in making your child’s school experience positive  help your child achieve success so that they can be proud of themselves and want to learn more

ESL STUDENTS ARE ALLOWED:  UNLIMITED TIME  THE USE OF A BILINGUAL DICTIONARY  SMALL GROUP SETTING Deptford students will take the PARCC Test during the months of April and May. Your child’s teacher will inform you of the specific dates of testing. PARCC Test scores are not reflected on a child’s report card.

TIPS FOR HELPING YOUR CHILD TO SUCCEED READ TO YOUR CHILD IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE AND, IF POSSIBLE, IN ENGLISH SPEAK TO YOUR CHILD IN THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE – THIS HELPS THEM TO EXPAND THEIR VOCABULARY AND ACADEMIC LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT USE THE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR BOOKS, FREE CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS AND ONLINE LEARNING WEBSITES ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES LIKE: SPORTS CLUBS MUSIC OR DANCE LESSONS BOY SCOUTS/GIRL SCOUTS

Adult ESL Resources West Deptford Free Public Library The West Deptford Free Public Library has tapes, software and interactive online databases for learning to speak, read and understand English including test preparation for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). 420 Crown Point Road, West Deptford, NJ (856) Diversity/USCitizenship.html

Adult ESL Resources Rowan College at Gloucester County Coursework is for residents who wish to learn more about the English language. It is designed to improve communication skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing Tanyard Rd, Sewell, NJ | Phone: default.aspx

Adult ESL Resources Literacy Volunteers of Gloucester County The Literacy Volunteers of America in Gloucester County offers free one-on-one ESL tutoring to adults for two hours per week. These services are given in public libraries throughout the county. gloucester-county

Health Insurance Information for Children

Adult ESL Programs ces/family-resource-center-and-health- education/english-as-a-second-language-esl- civics/

Steps to U.S. Citizenship

Communication Please feel free to contact us at: Kasia Liu – Central School (856) EXT Vicki Buda – Central School and Good Intent (grade 2) (856) EXT Theresa Vigliotta – Good Intent (grades 3-6) and Monongahela Middle School (856) EXT Melida Mattiacci – Deptford High School (856) EXT