Bilingual / ESL Program

The District’s Bilingual Program takes into account the proven body of evidence that links the influence of native language development with academic achievement. The long-term research data demonstrates that the more native language is supported through instruction (in combination with balanced second language development), the more English Language Learners (ELL) will increase achievement in all content areas. English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction is an integral part of the Bilingual Program, being delivered both by the classroom teacher and the ESL teacher. Students are provided ESL services using an all inclusive model. Classroom teachers participate in ESL instructional delivery in close collaboration with a state certified ESL teacher. The classroom teacher and the ESL teacher jointly review test data from various sources (DIA, DRA, NJ-ASK, HSPA, and ACCESS) to determine a student’s individual needs, and develop and implement instructional goals/objectives designed to increase student achievement.  ESL instruction fosters cognitive development in all subject areas, by using English as the language of instruction (not the object of instruction), consistent with Content-Based ESL Models.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Provides instruction for English Language Learners in the most appropriate program format, in accordance with New Jersey English Language Proficiency Standards. (WIDA  ACCESS Standards)
• Promotes understanding and respect for diversity by students, parents, staff and community.
• Enhances students’ self-esteem and promotes a positive school climate.
• Evaluates results and makes adjustments as warranted to address students learning at both school based and district levels.
• Supports staff development on cultural and linguistic diversity, sheltered instruction, and performance based assessment of Second Language Acquisition Strategies and Methodologies.
• Addresses issues relating to staffing shortages and instructional settings and organizational skills development.
• Communicates success of Bilingual / ESL programs to the students, parents, district and community.
• Actively promotes parental involvement as an integral part of the students’ education by providing parents with Spanish translations of all district correspondence.

DUAL LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM

The Dual Language Immersion Program is committed to preparing our children for success in the Global Economy of the 21st Century.

OBJECTIVES:

• To develop Bilingual, biliterate and bicognitive skills in English and Spanish.
• To close the academic achievement gap between the Spanish Dominant ELL students and the English Dominant general education student population.
• To develop a comprehensive identification process of talented English and Spanish Language Learners.
• To develop positive self-esteem through positive cross-cultural encounters.
• To develop tolerance, respect, understanding, and appreciation of diversity and its global socio-economic implications.

DUAL LANGUAGE PROGRAM DESIGN

The Dual Immersion Language Program supports both Spanish speaking students who want to learn English and students who want to learn Spanish as a Second Language.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS:

• Reflects the most current research on second language acquisition.
• Classes are integrated to promote cultural and linguistic exchanges among the students.
• Students divide their time between learning both languages through content area instruction.

The 50/50 dual immersion model design is delivered at the elementary level for all core subjects.  All students have fifty percent of instructional time in Spanish and fifty percent in English.

WORLD LANGUGES EDUCATION

All elementary schools in the District offer Spanish instruction to all students in Grades K-6. Students receive two 45-minute periods of Spanish instruction weekly. Secondary schools offer students the opportunity to take Spanish or French. The District strongly recommends 10 World Language credits for high school graduation. Students can choose from French or Spanish. Each language offers a variety of courses that students can take depending upon their proficiency in the language and academic progress.  A special track, Spanish for Native Speakers, has been implemented in order to meet the needs of our growing population of Spanish speaking students. The instructional goals in the District’s World Language Program are based on NJCCC standards that are aligned to the Five C’s for Foreign Language Education: Communication, Culture, Connections, Comparisons, and Community. A curriculum writing committee has been formed to develop/revise and adopt the World Language Curriculum K – 12. The plan is to have a curriculum guide for all World Language courses being offered to students by end of the 2009 – 2010 school year.