English as a New Language, Bilingual & Funded Programs
Among our strengths: Multilingualism, Multiculturalism and Diversity!
Our communities are enriched and strengthened by the richness of our linguistic and cultural diversity. In the Westbury Union Free School District you will certainly hear English, Spanish and Haitian Creole spoken - as well as possibly 15 or more other languages. In order to welcome and serve children for whom English is not their first language, and who need to learn English in order to access rich learning and build bilingualism or multilingualism, we offer 2 different kinds of programs in the Westbury Union Free School District: A Spanish Language Transitional Bilingual Program (TBE) and An English as a New Language Program (ENL).
Below please find a few terms that may assist in understanding our programs:
ELL: English Language Learner (student)
ENL: English as a New Language (program)
NYSESLAT: New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test
L1: First or Home Language
L2: Second Language/English Language
SIOP: Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (instructional model)
Transitional Bilingual Education Programs (TBE)
Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) programs offer our scholars learning English who speak the same language at home the opportunity to learn to speak, understand, read, and write in English while continuing to learn academic content in their home language. In our Westbury schools this “home language” is Spanish. Our scholars’ home language is used to help them progress academically in all content areas while they acquire English reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.
Per the New York State Department of Education, the goal of a Transitional Bilingual Education Program is to provide students with the opportunity to transition, over time, to a monolingual English classroom setting without additional supports once they reach proficiency in English. Even though the amount of English instruction scholars receive will increase over time, in a Transitional Bilingual Education Program, home language instruction/supports and/or World Language offerings will provide opportunities for our scholars to develop and enhance their bilingualism or multilingualism throughout their school experiences in the Westbury Union Free School District.
English as a New Language (ENL)
Instruction in this program, formerly known as English as a Second Language (ESL), emphasizes English language acquisition and development. In an ENL program, language arts and content-area instruction are taught in English using specific ENL instructional strategies. In the Westbury Union Free School District we offer ENL support to our scholars in a variety of settings. Some content area classes are integrated classes, in which English learners learn alongside other scholars and receive core content area and English language development instruction, including the use of the home/primary language as support and appropriate ELL instructional supports, to enrich comprehension. Integrated ENL classes are often taught by a teacher dually certified in the content area and ENL or are co-taught by a certified content area teacher and a certified ENL teacher. Some of our ENL content based instruction also occurs in “sheltered” instruction classrooms, in which all scholars are receiving ENL services. Another instructional model, mandated under CR Part 154 regulations, for our scholars at the beginning levels of English language acquisition is a “Stand-alone ENL class”. Scholars receive English language development instruction taught by a NYS-certified ENL teacher in order to acquire the English language needed for success in core content areas such as ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies. This program typically serves ELL scholars from many different home/primary language backgrounds whose only common language is English.
The NYSESLAT
To measure their growth in English language acquisition and development, our scholars in Bilingual and ENL programs take The New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) yearly, in the spring, in order to determine their level of English language proficiency from year to year. Once a student reaches the level of Commanding, he/she is then exited from ENL services, but the district is required to support our ELLs for an additional two years. Our ultimate goal is to see English language learners exit our ENL program and to ensure academic success and social and emotional well being.
NYS Seal of Biliteracy
As described on the New York State Education Department’s website:
“The New York State Seal of Biliteracy (NYSSB) recognizes high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in one or more languages, in addition to English. The intent of the NYSSB is to encourage the study of languages; identify high school graduates with language and biliteracy skills for employers; provide universities with additional information about applicants seeking admission; prepare students with twenty-first century skills; recognize the value of foreign and native language instruction in schools; and affirm the value of diversity in a multilingual society.”
#OneWestbury
As mentioned earlier, in the Westbury Union Free School District, we value and take pride in our teaching and learning experiences with all of our scholars and as a District, we celebrate and nurture multiculturalism, multilingualism, bilingualism, and biliteracy. To this end, we have K-12 Transitional Bilingual Programs, we are expanding our World Language program, and will soon graduate our first cohort of students who will earn the praiseworthy distinction of graduating from Westbury High School with the New York State Seal of Biliteracy designation on their WHS Diplomas.
