Waples Mill Elementary School

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at Waples Mill
Michelle BeMiller , ESOL Resource Teacher and Sophia Kountz, ESOL Resource Teacher

Welcome to the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program at Waples Mill Elementary School! We work with approximately 70 students whose families come from almost 20 countries and speak more than 10 languages including English. New students join us throughout the school year and we are always excited to welcome new friends to our program.

ESOL is often recognized as ESL, or English as a Second Language. Many of our students arrive at school knowing more than one language already, so English is not their second language. Fairfax County Public Schools changed its designation to ESOL, or English for Speakers of Other Languages to recognize the diversity of languages many of our students bring when they arrive. This program provides English language support to students who are learning American English.

Students who speak a language other than English at home are assessed when they enter school. If a student is not yet proficient in English, he or she is eligible for English language support in school.

ESOL Resource Teachers work with classroom teachers and other specialists to provide the best possible support for students. At Waples Mill we use several teaching models to help students learn English. One-on-one instruction, small groups, pull-out classes for intensive instruction, and collaborating with classroom teachers to support students in their classrooms are all part of our comprehensive approach to meeting the needs of our students. Instruction for language learners can include hands-on activities, technology, conversational practice, oral presentations, drama, instruction in reading strategies, and writing workshops.

Students in the ESOL program are grouped by their level of English proficiency. ESOL students are assessed at the beginning and end of each school year in speaking, reading and writing.

Level 1 students are beginning to learn basic English.
Level 2 students are advanced beginners. Many are able to carry on social conversations, but need to expand their vocabulary, and strengthen their reading and writing.
Level 3 students are intermediate English language learners. They might be managing fairly well in their classrooms in some subjects but they continue to need help with reading comprehension or writing skills.
Level 4 students are advanced English language learners. Many of these students sound like native speakers, and many are also strong in reading or writing, but need help to reach the level of other students in their grade level. They are close to exiting the ESOL program.

Most English language learners need five to seven years to acquire enough English to perform at grade level successfully. In Fairfax County many students are able to exit the ESOL program in three to five years.

ESOL teachers recommend students for exit from the ESOL program when students demonstrate grade level proficiency in speaking, reading and writing in English on the end-of-year assessments. We want students to have solid command of English when they exit the program so they can be well-prepared for future studies in middle school, high school, and beyond.

Time to learn and practice English is the greatest gift you can give your child. Your child will not learn English overnight, but he or she will learn. Expect your child to read every day in both English and in your home language. Reading in your home language is important because until children have a large enough vocabulary in English they have difficulty gaining knowledge from their reading in English. You can support their classroom learning by providing reading materials in your home language.

You should do what is comfortable for your family. Students who stop hearing and reading in their first language will eventually lose that language. If you want your child to become bilingual or multilingual, continue to speak and provide books in your home language. Some families also seek out foreign language or cultural schools as an extracurricular activity to help their children maintain their first language.