The Schenectady City School
District offers ESL (English
as a Second Language)
services to students whose
native language is not
English or who have another
language spoken in their
home. These students are
tested by the ESL staff and
if they need some extra time
learning the English
language, they are given
extra instruction time by an
ESL teacher. These teachers
have studied Teaching
English to Speakers of Other
Languages and are certified
by New York State to do this
important work for our
children.
The teaching of English as a
Second Language includes
instruction in all the
language skills - reading,
writing, speaking and
listening. It also includes
instruction in cultural
matters increasing the
students’ understanding of
this country and their
appreciation of their native
cultures. Very often the ESL
teacher is the cultural
liaison between the child,
the family, and the
classroom teacher.
The ESL teacher does not
utilize native languages to
instruct their students.
This is the basic difference
between ESL instruction and
bilingual education. Indeed,
since this district has
students who speak 25
languages, this would be an
impossibility. The emphasis
in our program is on the
rapid acquisition of English
so the student can function
well in the classroom,
receive meaningful
instruction and meet the
rigorous New York State
standards.
In order to do this,
elementary (kindergarten
through grade 5) ESL
teachers provide individual
and small group instruction,
push in to classrooms to
assist teachers with ESL
students, and modify
curriculum goals and
assignments so they are
attainable and students
experience success as they
meet increasingly difficult
academic challenges. ESL
teachers also help prepare
students for the
standardized tests that are
required of all students.
Secondary (middle school and
high school) ESL teachers
teach credit-bearing English
classes for ESL students.
These classes are organized
by level -- beginning or
intermediate and advanced --
and students attend for one,
two or three class periods
according to their needs.
The classes are literature
based like all English
classes, and students
receive intense writing,
reading, speaking and
listening practice as they
work toward their goal of a
high school diploma, and for
some, a continuing education
program in college or
another school. The
dedicated teaching staff
often provides assistance
with homework from other
classes, or arranges
additional academic support
for students who need it.
Like their elementary
counterparts, they continue
to bridge cultures for those
they serve.
It is the goal of the ESL
program that your children
succeed in all they attempt.
We want all students to
fulfill their potential and
find a place in the larger
community where they can
earn a good livelihood, and
make a contribution to
society. It is our privilege
to teach these holders of
our future’s dream.
