ESL Program Description

Overview of English as a Second Language Program

Rutherford County Schools

English as a Second Language (ESL) is a language instruction educational program for students whose primary language is not English. Currently, the Rutherford County School district has approximately 130 ESL students who are served by three teachers (one is half-time teacher and half-time lead teacher) and one teacher assistant. Spanish is the language spoken most often by our English learners. Other languages include Gujarati, Chinese, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, French, and Hmong.

The primary objective of the ESL program is to teach the students how to read, write, speak and listen to English to be more successful in the all-English classroom setting. The WiDA standards for English language development were adopted for the ESL program in 2008.

Across the United States, there are many instructional models designed to teach English Learners. The ESL program of Rutherford County is a combination of a content-based model and pull-out. The ESL teachers meet with content area teachers to assist them in modifying their instruction to meet the ESL students’ needs. The ESL teacher also pulls the students out of the classroom to focus on their English language development.

In most schools, the ESL teacher pulls the LEP students out of the mainstream classroom for specialized English instruction. In some high schools, however, the students may be assigned a block class time for ESL instruction. The ESL teacher may use a content-based ESL instruction such as the language of mathematics, science or social studies; or, the vital social and instructional language needed especially by beginning ESL students. The instruction for content-based instruction is tied to the course content material taught in the mainstream classroom. The ESL teacher does not teach course content, but rather supports the acquisition of academic language by employing the terminology and vocabulary from the base classroom.

Except where the ESL student receives elective credit for studying the ESL course, the classroom teacher remains the teacher of record. The teacher of record is responsible for determining student progress and assigning grades for the ESL student. The teacher needs to maintain written, dated documentation describing the modifications in instruction, methodology, and assessment. The obligations under the law require the classroom teacher to modify the course content and language used, scaffolding instruction so that ESL students learn the basic concepts while they are developing their English proficiency.

  There are three ESL teachers and one ESL assistant. One of the ESL teachers serves as lead teacher (25%) and regular ESL teacher (75%).

In Rutherford County Schools, we employ a LEP coordinator as well as a translator/interpreter and parent liaison.  They translate documents, forms, and letters from schools. They also interpret at parent/teacher conferences, parent nights, and meetings. They serve as a liaison between the ESL parents and Rutherford County Schools to increase parent involvement in each school and community.