K-12 ESL Program Philosophy
In order to expedite language acquisition and ensure equal access to the curriculum, ISB supports a Sheltered Immersion Model. We provide our students with language instruction and content support through both direct instruction in ESL and mainstream classes and through indirect means such as team planning, materials development, and curriculum construction. We ensure authentic language experiences in appropriate learning environments, so that all students develop English language proficiency and learner autonomy for social and academic success. We understand that effective teaching and language learning are interactive and reflective processes.
We believe that high academic standards enhance language development for native and non-native English speakers. We believe that high academic standards enhance language development for native and non-native English speakers. We nurture a culture of collaboration where ESL and non-ESL teachers and students learn from one another. ESL and mainstream teachers work together to ensure that students can develop the language and understand the content of the classroom as well as participate in the classroom activities. Instructional strategies that allow student interaction and make language meaningful and understandable facilitate language development, as do reading strategies and the writing process across the curriculum. Recreational reading is recognized as an integral part of the ESL curriculum. Students are encouraged to read freely selected materials, both inside and outside the classroom, to develop vocabulary reading, writing and grammar competencies. We believe that the ESL curriculum needs to dovetail the content area curricula while providing for the development of the overall language proficiency of ESL students. We promote a variety of formative and summative assessment measures.
Students are encouraged to maintain their native language and cultures, enhancing both cognitive and second language development. Language and cultural diversity are assets for teaching and learning. We utilize students’ multilingual and multicultural knowledge across the curriculum. Language learning draws on and adds to social, cultural, emotional, intellectual and aesthetic experiences. Recognizing that language demands become increasingly complex as students advance in school, ESL support is available to all ESL students through their years at ISB.