English as a Second Language (ESL) teaches English as a language and culture rather than as literature/usage. It involves the teaching of the four skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Pronunciation, spelling, and vocabulary, as well as the structure of the language, are taught. Because our students have changed in the last 25 years, we now put more emphasis on reading and writing and academic skills.
By federal and state law we are mandated to teach ESL to both US citizens and immigrants who fit the category of LEP (Limited English Proficient). We do not have to teach ESL to speakers of other English dialects. Also, our program is intended to supplement, not supplant, regular classroom instruction. We are teachers. We do try to accommodate mainstream classroom instruction by teaching content-based language, but we are qualified to teach content other than ESL.
MORELAND ESL TEACHERS
Dominique Kanavati-Orth
651-403-7868 | domonique.kanavati-orth@isd197.org
Sara Maldonado
651-403-7825 | sara.maldonado@isd197.org
Jennifer Rossum
651-403-7813 | jennifer.rossum@isd197.org
HOW ARE EL (ENGLISH LEARNER) STUDENTS IDENTIFIED?
- The student has a home language other than English. All Students in Minnesota are required to fill out a home language questionnaire upon entering any Minnesota school.
- Student performance on the Test of Emerging Academic English
- Records from previous schools indicating prior enrollment in ESL classes.
- Recommendations of counselors
- Parental recommendations — Parents also have the right of refusal of ESL services.
- Recommendations of the mainstream classroom teacher
- Testing by the ESL teacher which may include an interview, the IDEA IPT (an oral test) and/or the written part of the LAS.
