About the Program

District Goal: (From ESL Procedural Manual, Oct 2019)

Guam is a multi-lingual and multi-cultural society. All children, regardless of their home language or background, have the right to an equitable education which will allow them to assume the full responsibilities and rights of citizenship in the community. Language is the foundation upon which all learning occurs and English is the medium of instruction in the Department of Education.

The ESL Program focuses on the development of English communication skills in an environment that treats language as whole, real, authentic, and interesting. The four domains necessary for effective communication in English (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) are addressed in this context. Attention must be given to promoting the higher order thinking skills of ELs. English and academic proficiency are developed within the atmosphere of respect for the native language and culture of the students. Every effort must be made to integrate ELs into the regular classroom as quickly and completely as possible.

The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program has been developed and implemented to identify, assess, and provide appropriate educational services to all ELs. The Program is designed to meet federal requirements for the elimination of discriminatory educational practices set forth in the Civi Rights Act of 1964, The Bilingual Education Act of 1968, the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974, the United States Supreme Court decision in Lau v. Nichols (1974), Title III of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Every Student Succeeds Act of 2016 and the Guam Educational Board Policy 312 (Sept 2006).

Objectives: (From ESL Procedural Manual 0312)

To meet the district goal, the following objectives will be met by the Department of Education:

1. To identify, assess, and provide an adequate program for English Learners (ELs) that develops their academic skills;

2. To provide professional development and training in the field of second language acquisition to administrators, teachers, support staff and all stakeholders of the ESL program;

3. To ensure that appropriate ESL curriculum and materials are selected, developed, utilized, and evaluated;

4. To promote family and community involvement in the development and implementation of the ESL Program; and,

5. To evaluate the effectiveness of the ESL Program.

GDOE ESL Program Page

GDOE Website

ATES Website

The program types available at AsTumbo Elementary are Sheltered, Consultation and Follow-Up.

• Sheltered Program: Reading, writing and language are taught in the ESL classroom where appropriate modifications are made to the regular curriculum.

• Consultation: This program facilitates communication and provides opportunity for collaboration between the ESL Teacher and the regular classroom teacher(s).

• Follow-up: Designated for students with a parental waiver or students who have met all criteria for exiting the ESL Program.​

Click on the link for comprehensive information about ESL/ELLs

• https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/resources/esl-ell-resources-for-teachers-parents-and-students/