OUR PHILOSOPHY
ELL students benefit from:
• Being actively involved in the mainstream classroom and curriculum.
• A caring environment that provides the support needed to be successful in the mainstream curriculum.
• Challenges that encourage achievement of personal best.
• A focus on fluency that helps students view language errors as natural and valuable learning opportunities.
• Developing strategies for monitoring personal progress and achieving academic goals.
• Small learning groups that provide unique learning opportunities with quality interaction and support.
• Ample opportunities to practice new concepts and skills in a variety of contexts.
ELL PROGRAM LEVELS
Students new to TAAS are given an examination that evaluates their English language skills. This examination and other factors aid the ELL program in placing students in the best learning environment. Student progress in the ELL program is closely monitored and periodically evaluated. Students that demonstrate improved levels of English will be considered for placement in either a more advanced ELL level or in the mainstream classroom (exiting the ELL program).
ELL Classroom
This level is designed especially for students needing a significant amount of support as they enter a school that uses English as the language of instruction. Students at this level meet with an ELL teacher for a large portion of their day. An emphasis is placed on learning English and acquiring skills necessary to be successful in an American school.
ELL Pull-out
This level is designed especially for students who have acquired basic English language skills, but still need additional support in order to be successful in the mainstream curriculum. Students at the pull-out level meet with an ELL teacher for a small portion of their day. Emphasis is placed on bringing the students’ English language skills up to the mainstream level.
