ESOL Proficiency Levels

ESOL Instruction is provided to language minority students based on their English proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. An English proficiency level is determined when the student enters Fairfax County Public Schools, and is updated every September. The proficiency levels are summarized as follows:

Level LA (ESOL-1) Students have little or no schooling in their home country. Instruction addresses the basic concepts, background knowledge, and language needed to participate in the general education program.

Level A (ESOL-1) Students have little or no proficiency in English and need intensive English instruction.

Level B1 (ESOL-2) Students have some proficiency in understanding and speaking English; they are gaining additional experience in reading and writing English. Literature and subject area materials are studied.

Level B-2 (ESOL-3) Students are fairly proficient in understanding and speaking English, but their skills in reading and writing need additional refinement. Literature is studied.

Level B3 Students who have exited the ESOL program within the last two calendar years.

ESOL Curriculum

The ESOL high school curriculum is aligned with the High School English Program of Studies. The curriculum incorporates both content and literature-based approaches to student learning and integrates instructional activities in relevant contexts. ESOL students take the courses listed below:

• At the A level (ESOL 1), students take three periods of ESOL. They study language through content for two periods. In their third period of instruction, students study literature. They receive elective credit for ESOL 1.

• At the B1 level (ESOL 2), students take two periods of ESOL. They study language through literature and content. They receive elective or foreign language credit for ESOL 2.

• At the B2 level (ESOL 3), students take one period of ESOL where they study literature and one period of transitional English 9 or English 9. Students may receive one English 12 credit for ESOL 3 and one English credit for transitional or regular English 9.

ESOL Level	A1 571011 571012 571013	A2 571014 571015 571016	A3 571017 571018 571019	B1 572091 572092	B2 573000	C
Oral Proficiency	1-2 English	2~3 English	3~4 English	4	5	5~6
Writing Proficiency	2-2 English	2-3 English	3 ~4 English	4	4*~ 5	5~6
Reading Proficiency DRP Units	-15 ~ 15	16~24	25~34	35~50	51~59	60+ DRP Units
Content Courses	Concepts Science Concepts Social Studies Fast Math Electives	Concepts Science Concepts Social Studies Fast Math or electives	Science Concepts Social Studies Fast Math, appropriate math class or electives	Adapt. Biology World History 1 Algebra part 1 or appropriate math class	Chemistry, Physics, Geo Systems World History 2, US VA Gov. Algebra, Geometry or appropriate math.
Previous Schooling	Limited or interrupted	Usually Continuous			* only a strong 4

Falls Church H.S. ESOL Secondary Placement Chart

•