English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Courses, News, and Information
see also: ESOL faculty
Students in this program have come here from other countries. They must become proficient users of English in order to succeed in school and in their chosen careers in the USA.
Mission Statement
The mission of the FCPS ESOL Program is to develop the English proficiency of students while advancing their academic achievement and to support them in becoming productive, contributing citizens in the United States and an ever-changing global society.
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.
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.
Typical ESOL Student Schedules
| Recommended
Courses for ESOL 1 students A-level |
Recommended
Courses for ESOL 2 students B1-level |
Recommended
Courses for ESOL 3 students B2-level |
|---|---|---|
| ESOL 1 (3 periods) | ESOL 2 Literature | ESOL 3 (1 period) taken for English credit. |
| FAST Math or FAST-Math-Pre-Algebra |
ESOL 2 Content | Transitional English 9 taken for English credit |
| Concepts Social Studies | World History & Geography 1 | HPE (9th and 10th graders) |
| Concepts Science | Biology | 4 or 5 additional courses as required for graduation. |
| Health/Physical
Education (9th & 10th graders) It is recommended that ESOL 1 students take Health and Driver's Ed in the 3rd or 4th quarter. |
Math as recommended | |
| HPE (9th and 10th graders) | ||
| 1 or 2 additional courses as recommended |
A student who comes with no previous exposure to English may take longer than three years to exit the ESOL program. ESOL students are considered for mainstreaming into regular English classes after successfully completing B2. Consideration is based on the following criteria:
• Writing proficiency
• Oral proficiency
• Reading comprehension (based on DRP test scores)
• Rating by Transitional English 9 / Content teachers
• Recommendations by ESOL teacher and administrator
