Welcome to an overview of the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program at Balfour Elementary School
 Balfour’s ESL program addresses the individual language needs for students at their level of proficiency as determined by their score on the WIDA. The WIDA test is given each Spring to all Enlish Language Learners.

Levels of Proficiency

Level I

Entering

Level II

Beginning

Level III

Developing

Level  IV

Expanding 
Level V Bridging
Level VI Reaching


 Level I students are often served in a pull-out model until they have the language skills and vocabulary to access the curiculum in the regular classroom.

Level II and III students are served in the classroom using a co-teaching model. 

 Level IV  students are often put on Consultative Status and they are closely monitored by the ESL and Classroom teachers.

Exit ESL Students exit ESL when they have scored an overall score of 4.8 and 5 in Reading and Writing.  For the next two years they are cnsidered Monitored students and their progress is monitored during those years.
 

 

 Balfour’s ESL Program is primarily based on the Co-Teaching Model.
ESL teachers plan with the classrooom teacher so that meet with ESL students in the mainstream classrooms and assist students in accessing the mainstream curriculum. Learning activities are  culturally responsive and tailored to meet the linguistic, academic, and cultural needs of each individual student. Students learn academic language,  interpersonal communication skills, and grade level curriculum. 

EXAMPLES

PROGRAM GOALS

  • Provide support services to assist students and their families to share their culture and become a part of the cultural environment of the school community and the community at large
  • Prepare ESL students to become proficient enough in English to enable full participation  and successful academic ashievement  in the mainstream classroom and to meet performance standards.

SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
Several times throughout the school year, ESL families are invited to special ESL nights when we celebrate our academic successes, cultural diversity and to provide ACS systemwide and community information. ESL nights are a time for parents to get valuable information on an important topic.   
 

Useful Links
A bilingual website designed to help Latino families read, sing and share stories together at home.
http://www.rif.org/parents/resources/monthly.mspx

This site offers newspapers and magazines from various Spanish countries along with a tool bar that includes a spell checker; conjugate verbs; Spanish and English dictionary; Spanish verbs and much more (available in Spanish and English).
http://englishspanishlink.com/peoples%20news.htm

Quizzes for Spanish speakers; all quizzes feature colorful interface and humorous feedback noises that make learning more enjoyable. Some of the topics are basic phrases, colors, common expressions, describing people, entertainment, family, house, medical, numbers, occupations, school, shopping.
http://www.quiz-tree.com/ESL_for_Spanish_Speakers_main.html

An online resource for Spanish-speaking English language learners, the features include grammar drills, vocabulary exercises, proficiency tests, and recommended links for reading practice.
http://www.geocities.com/suzkeadie/FIESTA.html

Translation Dictionary
http://www.freedict.com/onldict/spa.html

This website contains hundreds of printable worksheets on a variety of topics for use with students of all ages. Designed as materials parents can use to support learning at home. Topics include: early learning and literacy, math, music, art, social studies, science, and reading.

http://www.familyeducation.com/printables/index/0,2081,1,00.html

Click on "Fun & Games" for activities for parents and children to do together. Click on "Issues & Advice" for information on child behavior and development, communication, school, and reading and language.

http://www.pbs.org/parents/siteguide/spanish/

Learn English is a free, on-line, educational resource for ESL students to learn English words. The site is multilingual. The menus, transliterations and translations are in four languages: French, Hebrew Russian and Spanish.  

http://www.learn-english.co.il/