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    What does ESOL mean?

    ESOL stands for: English for Speakers of Other Languages

    Where do the ESOL students come from at Kemp Mill?

    The ESOL students make up 30% of the population and come from Central and South America , Africa , and Asia. Most of the students in the ESOL program were born here and are enrolled because English is not their first language.

    What languages do the ESOL students speak?

    Most of the students speak Spanish, but the remaining students speak 21 different languages.

    What do the ESOL levels beginner, intermediate and advanced mean and how are the levels determined?

    Beginner: These are students who have just arrived in the United States or have very little skills in speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending English. In grades 1 and 2 they receive 90 minutes of instruction each morning during the reading/language arts block. In grades 3-5, they receive 2 hours of instruction each morning. The students participate in math and specials (art, music, PE) in the afternoon.

    Intermediate: These students have taken the Idea ProficiencyTest (IPT) which along with classroom assessments determines their speaking, reading, writing, and comprehending skills in English. Most of these students need extra support in reading and writing. They receive 45 min. to 1 hour of instruction three to five days a week.

    Advanced: These students are about ready to exit from the ESOL program and just need some additional scaffolds to help them in the mainstream classroom.

    Level Assessment: These levels are determined by the IPT, an English language proficiency test, as well as by assessments in the mainstream classroom.

    Who are the ESOL teachers and which students do they teach?

    Jenny Goldman - teaches all of the kindergarten students

     

                         Marlene Carter-Hawkins- teaches fourth and fifth grade intermediate students

    Reyes Samanes - teaches third grade intermediate and advanced students, supports the third grade dual language program

     

    Wendy McAvoy - Reading Recovery for ESOL students in first grade and first and second grade beginners

    Alison Jefferson - lead ESOL teacher; teaches Pre-K PM students, supports the second and third grade dual language program, teaches third to fifth grade beginners

    Are there any other supports for the ESOL students?

    Kemp Mill is unique because it has a Spanish dual language program that provides Spanish and English language instruction for our native Spanish speakers. Please visit the dual language link for more information on this program.

    Many of the ESOL students receive additional reading intervention services such as Horizons or extra guided reading.

    How long do students stay in ESOL?

    Every spring all ESOL students take the IPT test to determine their progression in English language skills. If a student scores well on this assessment and also is performing at or above grade level in the mainstream classroom, he/she is exited from the ESOL program. How long the student stays in ESOL depends on his/her progress in English.