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| Home > Parents > Programs > English Language Development |
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| English Language Development |
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The English Language Development (ELD) program supports students who are not proficient in English develop the language skills they need to succeed in school.
We strive to help students:
- Develop fluency in English
- Cultivate a positive sense of self-worth
- Understand and respect other cultures
- Achieve equal access to core academic curriculum
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Who participates in ELD classes?
 California requires all parents to complete a home language survey when they register their children for school. The survey asks:
- What language did this student learn when first beginning to talk?
- What language do you use most frequently to speak to this student?
- What language does this student most frequently use at home?
- What language is most often spoken by the adults at home?
If your answer to the first three questions on the survey is a language other than English, your child's English proficiency will be evaluated.
Students will be asked to take the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) and will be evaluated as:
- English Learner (EL)
OR
- Fluent English Proficient (FEP)
English language proficiency has two dimensions: conversational language skills and cognitive academic language skills. Conversational language skills tend to be easier for students to acquire because they benefit from the contextual cues of social encounters. Conversely, academic language skills (used in the classroom) are more difficult for students to master because they are generally more complex and less related to social context.
English Learner (EL) students will be invited to join the English Language Development program until they are proficient in English or withdrawn by a parent through a waiver process.
How does the ELD program work?
Elementary ELD Program (K – 5)
Each Palo Alto elementary school offers ELD instruction. English-learning students participate in small-group or individual ELD classes. ELD teachers carefully coordinate instructional time away from the mainstream classroom to minimize disruption with regular curriculum. PAUSD teachers are trained to use teaching strategies that help students understand content while they are improving their academic English skills.
Secondary ELD Program (6 – 12)
In secondary schools, ELD is taught through language arts and social studies. Programs are hosted at JLS Middle School and Gunn High School. If you do not live in the JLS or Gunn neighborhoods, your student will be granted an intra-resident transfer to participate in the ELD program.
Primary Language Tutors
At the request of ELD teachers, Primary Language Tutors work with LEP students on their mainstream class assignments during their first year in our District. They coordinate closely with students' mainstream classroom teachers. We make every effort to offer this service to all students during their first year.
Becki Cohn-Vargas, ELD Coordinator
If you have questions, contact the English Language Development office at (650) 329-373736 or eld@pausd.org
Revised June 2008 |
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