The English as Second Language (ESL) Program at SIS has as its goal for students to learn and acquire the language skills needed to communicate effectively and to succeed in regular classes. Students develop listening, speaking, reading, writing and critical thinking skills as well as basic vocabulary and grammar. Students learn language through an integrated approach to language acquisition; experimental and co-operative learning strategies are the cornerstone of the SIS model for instruction.
 | At SIS we are gradually moving toward mainstreaming English-language learning students into the classroom, rather than retaining them in a traditional "pull-out" program. In transition, we presently provide a combination of these models. Current research supports mainstreaming ESL students as the most effective way to assist them in acquiring essential language skills, with students learning English as they learn classroom content. We encourage "co-teaching" partnerships between mainstream classroom teachers and ESL teachers. As many of our students are from second language backgrounds, all teachers are required to be "ESL friendly." |
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