ESL Levels

Students will take a test to determine what level of English proficiency they have.     If it's a new student they will take the NYSITELL    In May of each school year there is a test given to all students receiving ESL support.   This test is called the New York State ESL Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).    Both tests have 4 subtests:   Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing.  Depending on their scores, they will identified as Entering (Beginner), Emerging (High Beginner), Transitional (Intermediate),  Expanding (Advanced) or Commanding (Proficient).   Even after ESL students test at the Commanding Level, they will receive 2 more years of test accommodations for all state tests.    Teachers can use their discretion on Unit exams if they want to allow for extended time.

The New York State regulations have changed recently for ESL or ENL students.    They can now receive "Stand-alone" ESL classes (pulled out and meet separately with an ESL teacher) or Integrated ENL.   These classes can be taught by an ESL teacher who is dual certified or an ENL teacher pushes into classes to provided additional support.    At the high school, Neal Jones is dual certified in English and teaches all the ESL students in separate classes.    Jessica Burdick is dual certified in Social Studies.   She is providing both Stand Alone and Integrated classes.   I am teaching Beginner ESL classes and co-teaching Algebra and Biology classes.

Students who test at the Entering Level can receive up to 3 ESL classes at the high school in a 2 day cycle.    These students may be brand new to the country with some or no English language.    They usually require a lot of help with their academic work and may not talk much in your classes.

 Students who test at the Emerging Level can receive 2 or 3 ESL classes.   These students are beginning to talk a little more and are comfortable with Social English.   They continue to struggle with School English or Academic English.  

Students at the Transitional Level  will be more comfortable speaking and you may even be surprised that they receive ESL support.    They often can do well with listening and speaking in conversation but will continue to struggle more with academic work and the content vocabulary.  They will receive 1 or 2 blocks of ESL in a 2 day cycle.

Students at the Expanding Level are usually those with more experience with English.    Sometimes they have received instruction in their native country and can perform more independently on their academics.  Or they may have been in this country for 2 or 3 years.    They continue to need support with academic English and need to refine their writing skills. They will receive 1 ESL class, usually an Integrated ESL class.

Students at the Commanding Level students may receive ESL support.   This is based on the ESL teachers' discretion.   They may be assigned some Academic Intervention Serives (AIS) to help them transition.  Students will receive 2 years of support and test accommodations after testing out of ESL.

All students in ESL classes will also receive support with school and cultural information.   For example, they are often unfamiliar with the American holidays celebrated, the School Spirit Week, Snow Days or what to do when they miss a day of school.