English Language Learners
| Kristina Oscarson | ELL Teacher | EXT: 2406 |
 |
Welcome to the Sartell-St. Stephen English Language Learners (ELL) web page!
Sartell students come to us from all over the world, and this year, more than ten different languages are spoken by the children in our classrooms.
For more information, please contact:
Kristina Oscarson, ELL Teacher
Email (preferred): kristina.oscarson@sartell.k12.mn.us
Phone: 320-656-3701
What is ELL?
English Language Learners (ELL) are K-12 students who work in a program that teaches the English language to students whose native language is not English. Students are taught by a licensed ELL teacher using methodology similar to that of teaching a world language to a native English speaker. Our current program includes about 30 students representing eleven languages other than English. Schools must provide equal educational opportunities to all students. Failure to take action to overcome language barriers get in the way of equal participation.
Which students qualify for ELL classes?
Any student qualifies for the ELL program if he/she meets any of the following requirements:
• The student's first language is not English.
• The student comes from a home where the language spoken is not English.
Any student qualifies for the ELL program if he/she meets any of the following requirements:
• The student's first language is not English.
• The student comes from a home where the language spoken is not English.
In grades K-2 the student lacks English skills to participate fully in classes taught in English as determined by developmentally appropriate measures. In grades 3-12 the student scores below the state cutoff score on test of emerging academic English, ACCESS.
Step I
Home Language Questionnaire or teacher referral indicates possible ELL status.
Home Language Questionnaire or teacher referral indicates possible ELL status.
Step II
District 748 Registration Form and informal family interview (preferably at time of registration) indicate possible ELL status.
District 748 Registration Form and informal family interview (preferably at time of registration) indicate possible ELL status.
Step III
Assess Oral, Reading, and Writing English Proficiency
Assess Oral, Reading, and Writing English Proficiency
Step IV
Initial Placement Decision - If a student is not proficient in one or all of the three areas assessed in step III, he/she meets state criteria for ELL service.
Initial Placement Decision - If a student is not proficient in one or all of the three areas assessed in step III, he/she meets state criteria for ELL service.
Step V
Parent Notification - Parents are notified within 10 days of enrollment that their son/daughter qualifies for ELL services and informed of student's proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing, using the District's Parent Notification Form. Included in the notification is amount of time and type of ELL service. The letter informs parents of their right to refuse service.
Parent Notification - Parents are notified within 10 days of enrollment that their son/daughter qualifies for ELL services and informed of student's proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing, using the District's Parent Notification Form. Included in the notification is amount of time and type of ELL service. The letter informs parents of their right to refuse service.
Step VI
ELL Service - Support student in reading, writing, and speaking listening.
ELL Service - Support student in reading, writing, and speaking listening.
Step VII
Monitor/Exit - When student scores "proficient" in the reading, writing, and speaking of English on local or state assessments, he/she is monitored or exited from ELL service.
Monitor/Exit - When student scores "proficient" in the reading, writing, and speaking of English on local or state assessments, he/she is monitored or exited from ELL service.
Which District 748 schools offer ELL programs?
Currently ELL is offered at all four schools in the district.
Currently ELL is offered at all four schools in the district.
What languages are represented in the program?
Amharic, Arabic, Cebuano, French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Japanese, Laotian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
Amharic, Arabic, Cebuano, French, Haitian Creole, Hmong, Japanese, Laotian, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
How are ELL classes organized?
Elementary ELL:
In K-6 schools, ELL uses either a pull-out or a push-in model of instruction. English Language Learning students leave their mainstream classroom to spend a period of time each day in ELL instruction. The amount of time a student receives English instruction depends on his/her level of language proficiency. Instruction is focused on English language development with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, reading comprehension and strategies, writing skills, and cultural understanding.
Elementary ELL:
In K-6 schools, ELL uses either a pull-out or a push-in model of instruction. English Language Learning students leave their mainstream classroom to spend a period of time each day in ELL instruction. The amount of time a student receives English instruction depends on his/her level of language proficiency. Instruction is focused on English language development with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, reading comprehension and strategies, writing skills, and cultural understanding.
Secondary ELL:
Guidelines recommend that beginning students study English up to three hours daily; as a student progresses ELL time is reduced. ELL uses both the pull-out and push-in models at the middle school. Sartell uses pull-out at the high school while implementing research-based pracitices in content area classes. The amount of time a student receives English instruction depends on his/her level of language proficiency. Instruction is focused on English language development with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, reading comprehension and strategies, writing skills, and cultural understanding.
Guidelines recommend that beginning students study English up to three hours daily; as a student progresses ELL time is reduced. ELL uses both the pull-out and push-in models at the middle school. Sartell uses pull-out at the high school while implementing research-based pracitices in content area classes. The amount of time a student receives English instruction depends on his/her level of language proficiency. Instruction is focused on English language development with emphasis on increasing vocabulary, reading comprehension and strategies, writing skills, and cultural understanding.
When do students exit the program?
Students exit the ELL program by gaining proficiency on daily work in mainstream and ELL classrooms, achieving on standardized and other tests, and performing on Graduation Standards requirements.
Students exit the ELL program by gaining proficiency on daily work in mainstream and ELL classrooms, achieving on standardized and other tests, and performing on Graduation Standards requirements.
How long does a student receive ELL service?
Normally, students will learn to speak English well within 1-3 years. Academic English, the language needed to read, write, and be successful in school, can take 5-10 years to learn. Ongoing evaluation will determine the need for continued support.
Normally, students will learn to speak English well within 1-3 years. Academic English, the language needed to read, write, and be successful in school, can take 5-10 years to learn. Ongoing evaluation will determine the need for continued support.
My child was born here. Can he still receive help from the ELL teacher?
A student may receive ELL services even if he/she was born in the United States if the student first learned a language other than English and/or comes from a home where a language other than English is usually spoken. The student must qualify for ELL services based on the district's language assessments.
A student may receive ELL services even if he/she was born in the United States if the student first learned a language other than English and/or comes from a home where a language other than English is usually spoken. The student must qualify for ELL services based on the district's language assessments.
My child speaks English well. Why is he receiving ELL service?
Your child might be an advanced level ELL student. Advanced students are often able to speak English well, but they are still learning the English needed to read and write at grade level.
Your child might be an advanced level ELL student. Advanced students are often able to speak English well, but they are still learning the English needed to read and write at grade level.
Can I refuse ELL support for my child?
You may refuse ELL support for your child if you wish. You will need to contact your child's ELL teacher and sign a form indicating this.
You may refuse ELL support for your child if you wish. You will need to contact your child's ELL teacher and sign a form indicating this.
Here are a few links you might enjoy trying:
Colorín Colorado Reading help in English and Spanish
Resource Center for the Americas Current events in North, Central and South America as well as classes for families
Jennifer's Language Pages Learn to say hello, goodbye, thank you in more than 500 languages. Also links to language sites and dictionaries in many languages.
Online Dictionary Free online dictionary for word translations in several languages.