We welcome many new students into afternoon ESOL classes. Team Waka students have their lessons on a Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon at 2.15pm. Moana and Awa Nui have their lesson on a Tuesday at 1.30pm, while Roto come on a Wednesday afternoon at the same time. ESOL parents are always welcome to attend these sessions.
We are very interested to learn more about art from other cultures in our community. If you would like to share some of your knowledge with us at this time, please make contact with the ESOL teachers to discuss this further.
At Russley School we value our cultural diversity and encourage ESOL students to become literate in their home language and in English language.
We encourage our English as a Second Language (ESOL) learners to discuss, share and celebrate their cultural differences with others within the school environment. We do this by providing a number of opportunities throughout the school year such as, cultural days, shared lunches, class presentations, school visits and talent events.
The ESOL programme is a high quality programme that is facilitated by Mrs Lois Hughey, ESOL Registered Teacher and Miriam McCreanor experienced tutor. Students who are supported in the ESOL programme come from a number of countries and cultures. Not all ESOL students are born overseas. Some are New Zealand born but their home language may not be English.
Research indicates that the most effective type of learning support to enhance student achievement is provided when students remain in their own classroom (Quality Teaching for Diverse Students in Schooling: Best Evidence Synthesis, Adrienne Alton Lee, 2003).
The Russley ESOL programme consists of the following :
- Teacher aide support within the classroom for reading, writing, speaking, listening.
- Additional teacher support teaching and learning programme in all teams allowing for lower adult to student ratios.
- An afternoon ESOL programme runs throughout the year that supports the units of work covered in the classroom. Students attend an extra lesson per week that supports their language development in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
- Extra targeted teaching is provided for students who have been identified as having a specific learning need.
- Foreign Fee paying or International students will also attend ESOL lessons.
Assessment and the English Language Learning Progressions (ELLP)
As well as classroom assessment tools, teachers use the ELLP's to assess where ESOL students sit in relation to the New Zealand Curriculum levels. These progressions provide information on progress and achievement that have been specifically designed for ESOL students.
- All ESOL students will receive a Progress Report and an ELLP report twice a year.
What Are Curriculum Levels?
There are 8 levels in the New Zealand Curriculum (NZC) and stretch from Year 1 through to Year 13. Each level represents a learning stage in each learning area or subject taught.
For example, most Year 1 to 8 students will be learning between curriculum levels 1 to 4. Your child may be at a different level for different learning areas because they may be working at curriculum level 2 in maths and level 3 in writing. Once your child has gained most of the skills, knowledge and understanding of each stage they will progress to the next level.
The diagram below shows how curriculum levels typically relate to years at school. Not all students however, fit this pattern. Students with special learning needs, those who are gifted, and those who come from non- English-speaking backgrounds are examples of these exceptions, all of whom we work hard to cater for at Russley School.