Quick Links

ESOL Department

ESOL Program Goal

The goal of the ESOL program is to provide students with the language skills to communicate effectively and succeed academically.

When a student enrolls in Fairfax County Public Schools for the first time, he or she must go to a registration center. There are registration centers in different parts of the county. At the registration center, a bilingual interviewer checks the student’s native language and English language abilities (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) and math level. The registration center sends this information to the school the student will attend.

Each school serves students in a particular area of the county. The registration center will tell you which school to attend. After the interview at the registration center, students go to the school to register for classes. Each student meets with a counselor to set up a schedule of classes. Students take 7 classes. There are 4 ESOL proficiency levels. They are based on English language skills of the student. ESOL classes contain students of different ages and grade levels.

Level 1 – Beginning Level

This level is divided into the following groups:

LA: This group is for students who do not read and write their native language. LA students take 5 periods of special English language classes, including Literature, Content, Composition, Social Studies, and Science. They receive elective credits for these classes. Students also take physical education and math.
A2: This group is for beginning students who already know how to read and write their first language. A2 students take 5 periods of special English language classes, including Literature, Content, Composition, Social Studies, and Science. They receive elective credits for these classes. Students also take physical education and math.
A3: This group is for advanced beginning students. A3 students take 5 periods of special English language classes, including Literature, Content, Composition, Social Studies, and Science. They receive elective credits for these classes. Students also take physical education and math.

Level 2 – Intermediate Level

B1: These students take 2 periods of special ESOL classes (Literature and Content). Students also take adapted World History and Biology classes designed for ESOL students. Students take a math class, physical education (if needed), and 1-2 electives. Students earn 2 foreign language credits for their 2 ESOL classes.

Levels 3 & 4 – Advanced Levels

B2: These students take 1 period of ESOL. They also take an adapted English 9 class. They earn an English graduation credit for each of these classes. Note that all students must earn 4 English credits to graduate. They take regular social students, science, math, physical education (if needed), and elective classes. Some students also take additional foreign language classes.

Students spend one or more years at each level. At the end of the school year, the students’ teachers will recommend the level for the next year. ESOL teachers will recheck the reading and writing skills of each student in the fall to make sure students are in the appropriate classes. Note that many students find it helpful to attend summer ESOL classes.

Exit from ESOL Program

To exit from the ESOL program, a student must successfully complete B2 ESOL and English 9 and demonstrate a high level of English reading and writing skills. The ESOL teachers will recommend students for exit at the end of each school year. The county ESOL office makes the final decision. Students who exit the ESOL program must take English 10 and English 11 and satisfy all of the graduation requirements in order to get a Fairfax County high school diploma. To see the graduation requirements for a standard diploma or an advanced diploma, go to http://www.fcps.edu/ss/StudentServices/Guidance/gdscogrd.htm