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Student Support Services » ELL

ELL

English-Language Learner (ELL)

The International School of Hyderabad acknowledges and celebrates the diversity of the student community and works to ensure equal access to education for all. We promote an atmosphere of integration and respect among students by enabling those with limited English proficiency to work as close to grade level as possible in the areas of listening, speaking, communicating, vocabulary, grammar, reading, and writing, as well as developing intercultural understanding as they settle into life in Hyderabad, India.

ISH has adopted WIDA and its can-do philosophy. All ELL students are assessed with the WIDA (World-class Instructional Design and Assessment) tool. 

In Elementary School (Grades 1-5), ELL is delivered in two ways:

Intensive – students attend ELL classes in three (45-minute) sessions per week in order to consolidate their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Student numbers in these classes are kept to a maximum of five, in order for them to reach their full potential. These are done on a pull-out basis with the ELL teacher.

ELL in the mainstream –  ELL teacher supports class teachers in terms of planning and differentiating for the particular student’s needs. Also, co-teaching sessions may be arranged given collaborative planning and the teacher’s availability.

During the first days at school, the ELL referral document is filled in after initial observations and a class-based assessment, to ascertain the level of competency in English. Then students’ English level is tested with WIDA. Finally, a plan is then worked out for the student by the ELL and grade teachers. This gives students a sense of confidence to tackle further learning. ELL support is provided until the child can participate in grade work through differentiated instruction. During this phase, the ELL teacher provides curriculum support within the classroom, collaborating with the subject teacher during the planning and implementation of the lesson. This service covers subject areas other than English, depending on the need of the student. Parents receive regular communication and material is provided for home use as well.

As the student progresses ELL pull-out sessions are minimized from thrice to twice and once per week.

At the point when a student is more confident with their academic English skills, they are tested with WIDA assessment to check if they can join the mainstream program and second foreign language classes. In case they demonstrate the required level of English proficiency, they can join the mainstream program. 

After an ESOL student joins the mainstream program, they remain under the observation of an ESOL teacher and may re-enter the ESOL program.

In Middle and Secondary School (Grades 6-12), ELL is also delivered in two ways: 

Intensive – students attend an ELL class at their year level for a maximum of five lessons per week in order to consolidate their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Student numbers in these classes are kept to a minimum. There are usually fewer than five students per class.

ELL in the mainstream - the ELL teacher support is provided to subject teachers. They plan collaboratively keeping in mind the student’s needs. Depending on the teacher’s availability, co-teaching sessions are planned and delivered.

Students are identified for ELL support according to the following criteria:

  • A language other than English is the main language of communication at home which results in limited English proficiency for a particular grade.
  • The student’s communication skills are so basic that they are unable to fully participate in class/school activities independently.
 

During the first days at school, the students are observed and in case there is a need for language support, the referral document is filled in by all subject teachers. Then the WIDA assessment is conducted by the ELL teacher to confirm the need for English language support.  

As the student progresses ELL pull-out sessions are minimized from thrice to twice and once per week.

At the point when a student is more confident with their academic English skills, they are tested with WIDA assessment to check if they can join the mainstream program and second foreign language classes. In case they demonstrate the required level of English proficiency, they can join the mainstream program. 

After an ELL student joins the mainstream program, they remain under the observation of an ELL teacher and may re-enter the ELL program.