ENL Program

ENGLISH AS A NEW LANGUAGE (ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE)

English as a New Language (formerly known as English as a Second Language—ESL) is a state and federally mandated program which seeks to provide intensive English language instruction to non-English speaking students using ENL methodologies and techniques. The students in this program are held to the same high standards as their English speaking peers.

Important Terms to Know

• ESL --> ENL

  • English as a Second Language --> English as a NEW Language

• ELL – English Language Learner

• NYSITELL – New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners

• NYSESLAT – New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test

• LOTE --> World Languages

  • Languages Other than English --> World Languages

• FLES -- Foreign Language in the Elementary Schools

Registration and Enrollment

Newly registered students whose Home Language Questionnaire (HLQ) indicates that a language other than English is spoken at home, must be evaluated and tested using the NYSITELL (NY State Identification test for English Language Learners) for identification and initial placement. After initial placement, ENL students will be tested annually for English language development using the NYSESLAT (NY State English as a Second Language Achievement Test) at the end of each year, until they reach the Commanding/Proficient level.

The proficiency levels are listed below, along with required ENL courses for a student:

• Entering (Beginner): 1 period of ENL (grades k-8)/2 periods of ENL (grades 9-12) and 1 integrated co-taught English class

• Emerging (Low Intermediate): 1 period of ENL (grades k-8)/2 periods of ENL (grades 9-12) and 1 period of an integrated co-taught English class

• Transitioning (High Intermediate): 1 period of an integrated co-taught English or content area class

• Expanding (Advanced): 1 period of an integrated co-taught English or content area class

• Commanding (Proficient): Students are enrolled in mainstream classes and are entitled to ENL testing accommodations for NYS exams, for two consecutive years after exiting the program.