ESL-September_2012

"What is ESL?

by Lois T. Gumataotao, ESL Coordinator/Teacher

Hafa Adai and Welcome back to another exciting school year 2012 at LBJ Elementary! My name is Lois T. Gumataotao and I am the ESL Teacher and Coordinator. What is ESL? ESL stands for English as a Second Language. The ESL Program focuses on the development of English communication skills in an environment that treats language as whole, real, authentic and interesting. The four domains necessary for effective communication in English are listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

A student is eligible under the ESL Program based on the HLS (Home Language Survey) a parent completes as part of the registration process:

1. Which language did your son or daughter speak when he or she first began to talk?

2. What language does your son or daughter most frequently speak at home?

3. What language does your son or daughter most frequently speak with friends?

4. What language do you use most frequently to speak to your son or daughter?

5. Name the language(s) most often spoken by the adults at home?

If one or more of the 5 questions is answered with a language other than English, the student is eligible for the ESL Program and will be given the LAS Links Placement Test. Parents will be contacted if their child will be participating in this program.

Every effort will be made to meet the needs of the ELs to integrate them into the regular classroom as quickly and completely as possible. If you need more information on the ESL Program, please feel free to call me at 649-8256.