Dear Parents/Guardians,
English as a Second Language (ESL) class is meant to help your child learn English, as well as give them the tools and resources they need to be succesful in their other classes. Throughout the year, your child will learn the skills to read, write, listen, and speak in English. They will also use the ESL classroom to complete other school work or get further explanation on the information they are learning in other content areas (mathematics, science, social studies, English, etc.).
In ESL, your child is at one of the four levels: beginner, intermediate, advanced, or proficient. At the end of the year, your child will be taking the NYSESLAT test to test their proficiency level. Based on their score, they will be placed in one of the four level classes with other students at that same level.
Your child will also receive NYS suggested ESL testing accommodations for each of their classes if they choose. He/she can come to my classroom during his/her testing time to receive them. Testing accommodations include reading the test to the students, explaining difficult vocabulary in simpler terms, allowing them extra time to take the test, and allowing them to use dictionaries/translators in their native language.
I would encourage you to have your child stay after school for help as much as possible, either with me or any of their content teachers. I look forward to getting to know your child and helping them in any way I can.
I hope that this letter has answered many of your questions about your child's ESL class. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to either call the school or email me. You can also check this website to see what your child is doing in class as some of their assignments and what we are doing in class are posted on here.
Sincerely,
Miss Sydoriw