About Our School (Continued)

Most of the students need to be tested for vocabulary, reading and spelling and a level determination made. The form of instruction received by the student will immediately let the instructor know what will need to be taught and how much time will be needed for each class.

Many internationals have sought help from ESL programs in churches, community colleges, libraries and other publicly sponsored programs for those who desire to speak the language. These potentially productive citizens arrive believing that they will begin to find their dream a reality. Such is not usually the case!

Students are handed a form to fill out and a new "grammar" book. They are asked to pay for the book and told to find a seat and open the book. As the students are non-English speaking, they glance around to see if there is anyone in the group they know. Most will “follow the leader” - someone who looks as though she knows what is being said. This class may hold from 10-20 students. Many of the students are reserved in manner, and a little hesitant. Some, having already experienced some form of ESL instruction, sit tense and expectant. Many things have happened in other classrooms across the area. All are hopeful that this time there will be just what is needed to move forward in this new life.

These students cannot recognize the letters or sounds of the English language, but they are expected to learn grammar! These students cannot read a sentence let alone write one, but they are handed a grammar book! This concept defies understanding. Educators know or should know that children should begin learning at the very basic part of reading!
( Letters and Sounds) Because these students are older and more mature does not mean the basic concepts of learning to speak our language, read our language, and write our language should be skipped or set aside!
If taught in an orderly fashion a student will begin speaking and reading confidently within 5-6 weeks. All students will increase in grade level comprehension and vocabulary to 5th-7th grade levels within 12 weeks. Some will even begin writing complete sentences which is the last element an international student achieves. (They must be able to think and speak in English in order to write in English.) Some students will need more time in order to write longer, complete sentences, but now they are willing and able to understand what is happening! As students begin the blending of the first and second languages a confident student begins to emerge. This only comes when the teacher “puts the cookies on the bottom shelf!"
Doris L. Murray