english language services
program Philosophy
English Language Learners (ELLs) who are still acquiring English proficiency bring unique educational backgrounds and valuable cultural knowledge to the school experience. Some students are close to reaching English proficiency while others are at the start of their journey toward fluency. The Ramsey English Language Learner program seeks to provide well-planned instruction that will help all ELLs meet challenging academic standards and use English accurately in their everyday lives. As such, ELLs will learn by building their understanding of foundational content, phonics, vocabulary, language structures, comprehension skills, and technology in order to access grade level material in all disciplines.
program Transfer Goals
What will a Ramsey student be able to DO after completing the course of study in English Language Services?
- Reach a level of proficiency in English needed for school performance and everyday living.
- Project self-confidence in their unique linguistic and cultural identity.
- Use English, including academic vocabulary, to access the mainstream curriculum in all content areas..
- Participate in curricular and extracurricular opportunities in a similar fashion to our non-ELL students.
Overarching Enduring Understandings
- English proficiency facilitates academic success and social assimilation that will help ELLs become fully participating members of American society.
- Students can learn new content by using their existing knowledge, academic competencies, and prior experiences.
- Students learn by using scaffolds and strategies that lower the language complexity of the content they experience in the classroom.
- Students learn in school environments that value the richness of diverse perspectives and cultivate cross-cultural knowledge and awareness.
Overarching Essential Questions
- What is the benefit of becoming more proficient in English?
- How can ELLs first language and culture facilitate academic growth?
- How can ELLs access the mainstream curriculum when they don’t understand everything that is being spoken or written?
- What is the correlation between the school environment and the ability to learn English?