As an ESOL teacher, my job is to supplement, not supplant, instruction. At JES we follow the Georgia standards and integrate he WIDA language objectives to focus on a growth in language while mastering the curriculum. Sometimes when students are achieving in their classroom with very little help, I will add Finish Line for ELLs 2.0 as our tool for intensive focus on developing language. Much of our class time is spent on preparing the student to go back into their classroom ready to understand what the teacher is saying with her general directions and content vocabulary as well.
Depending upon the grade level, ESOL students receive daily classroom instruction varying from 45-50 minutes. The ESOL program concentrates on four areas: speaking, reading, listening and writing skills. The use of Finish Line for ELLs 2.0 by Continental Press stresses both oral language and phonetic skills development in social and academic language. Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening domains are all addressed through the integration of the WIDA standards and content standards. Language experience activities are also incorporated in the program.
