Teaching English to Non-English Speaking Students

  • English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is a state-funded instructional program for eligible English Learners (ELs) in grades K-12. The ESOL program is a standards-based curriculum emphasizing academic and social language development which helps students become competent in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the English language

    It is the intent of English as a Second Language that every student identified as limited in English proficiency, otherwise known as an English Language Learner (ELL), or whose primary home language is something other than English be provided with appropriate services to enhance their ability to learn English as an additional language.

    It is not the intent of the ESL program to replace or negate the student’s primary home language. Rather, the ESL program shall strive to enable the ELL to become competent in listening, speaking, reading and writing in the English language in order to master content-area skills. In this way, ELLs are able to participate effectively in classroom settings and to reach their full potential.

     
    NOTIFICATION OF ESOL SERVICES PARENT INFORMATION

    Spartanburg School District Seven provides an ESOL/EL program for students with a primary language other than English.  English to Speakers of Other Languages [ESOL] is designed to promote student proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English at a level where the English Learner [EL] can be successful in the regular classroom.  In accord with state procedures, English Language Development Standards are fundamental to the instruction for all English Learners.  Participation in the ESOL program is voluntary, and student progress will be monitored yearly during spring testing to make sure that the program meets the needs of the EL population.

    In the elementary schools, the ESOL program will be a pull-out program.  Students will receive some assistance in their regular classroom, and those needing more assistance will be pulled out for instruction with a teacher trained in ESOL techniques.  The ESOL teacher will work closely with classroom teachers, counselors, and administrators to support the district curriculum in the content areas.

    At the middle school and senior high levels, a class is offered which meets every day, and the high school course gives credit toward graduation.  Students who have demonstrated proficiency in English, but who may still need periodic assistance, will be monitored and offered assistance until such time as they are fully proficient in academic as well as functional English. 

    There is an ESOL coordinator at each school who can help with questions concerning ESOL services.  Questions may also be directed to Dr. Terry Pruitt at the district office, 864.594.6176, or at topruitt@spart7.org.
    The School System will not deny admission to any student on the basis of race, religion, color, creed, sex, immigrant status or English-speaking status, national origin, or disabling condition.

    World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA)

    The WIDA English Language Development Standards
     
    Standard 1 = Social and Instructional Language
    English Learners communicate for Social and Instructional purposes within the school setting.

    Standard 2 = The Language of Language Arts
    English Learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Language Arts.

    Standard 3 = The Language of Mathematics
    English Learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Mathematics.

    Standard 4 = The Language of Science
    English Learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Science.

    Standard 5 = The Language of Social Studies
    English Learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of Social Studies. 

Translation and Interpretation Services

  • Each school and department is responsible for providing parents and families of non-English speaking backgrounds with access to any necessary and appropriate translation/interpretation services.

    Formal Situations:

    • For official meetings or written communications, the services of a certified interpreter/translator must be used.
    • Interpreters/translators may be arranged by the HIT Services to assist ESOL staff in conveying messages to non-English proficient parents or guardians on matters dealing with academic performance.

    If you require the services of a certified interpreter, please contact your child’s teacher or principal.

    Informal Situations:

    • Bilingual staff may be designated as informal interpreters for limited services (i.e. minor phone calls/ reminders) to be conducted outside of scheduled instructional times but within contracted work hours. All requests for these services should go through an administrator.

    Google Translation

    Google Translate is a free multilingual translation service provided to translate text, speech, images or real-time video from one language to another. All of District 7 school websites are equipped with Google Translate. On a desktop computer, tablet or phone, the Google Translate icon is at the top web address bar. You can select your language from the dropdown menu.  The chosen language is remembered as the user navigates through the website, which is very convenient. Note that this solution does not translate PDF documents.