English Plus: Instruct, Equip and Empower

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We at AISB-Hope International believe that all teachers—both homeroom and content area—are English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers. With a student body approaching 60% non-native English speakers, AISB-Hope International recognizes and embraces its unique position as an EAL-oriented school. Therefore, a key component of AISB-Hope International is the English Plus program.

The English Plus program exists to support all students, whatever their learning needs. The mission of the English Plus department is to instruct, equip and empower English language learners to communicate effectively in English and become independent lifelong learners.

Primarily, English Plus supports English language learners (ELLs) as they endeavor to acquire the English language proficiency needed to access the school’s rigorous, standards-based American curriculum. At the same time, English Plus supports ELLs as they access course content and transition toward more independent learning. However, the services English Plus offers are not limited exclusively to ELLs.

English Plus strives to meet the educational requirements of all students including those with special learning needs. English Plus achieves its goals through a multifaceted approach that uses a combination of specialized, targeted, intensive English classes, pull-in and pull-out support in the homeroom, and ongoing teacher coaching and mentoring, education, and professional development opportunities.

English Plus teachers work with homeroom and subject teachers to support learning in the classroom and use data to inform instruction. We have witnessed amazing learning growth over the years.

Our first-grade teacher said, "When my student enrolled in the school in mid-October 2020, she could not speak, read, write, or even comprehend much of what she heard spoken in English. She was enrolled in AISB-Hope’s English Plus program. With the support of the English Plus department and with explicit instruction in homeroom classes, teachers saw incredible progress. With her determination to learn and the intense support she received, the student finished first grade able to comprehend, speak, read, and write almost at grade level!"

The English Plus department cooperates with homeroom and subject teachers by conducting schoolwide professional development workshops that promote language learning theory. Therefore, all teachers can apply language learning strategies to create meaningful and authentic learning experiences that reflect current research and best practices. For example, the department led a session called “The EAL Experience” which aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of an ELL’s thoughts and emotions when encountering otherwise familiar content presented in an unfamiliar language and cultural context. Teachers discussed ways to better integrate the student’s existing content knowledge and home culture with the curriculum, instruction, and assessment in order to bridge the gap between the student’s first language and the English language still being acquired.

English Plus teachers also collaborate with teachers individually. One elementary teacher recently said, “I worked with English Plus to better develop math literacy. Through planning, we developed a systematic approach to incorporate important math vocabulary into daily communication and when practicing word problems. I then noticed students built confidence in math vocabulary, and they started using these words with peers and even parents. I am so grateful to have support from the English Plus department as we work together to support student learning.” 

We also love to hear what students themselves say about the program. A student in grade eight this year said, “English Plus helps to improve my homework because teachers help to make grammar correct and teach me a better way. Moreover, I learned how to write essay. I learned to structure of essay and how it fix it at last. English Plus gives me a chance to speak English.”

English Plus has also supported high school students as they meet the demands of high school education.

A tenth-grade student said, “When I first came to this school, I couldn't speak English fluently and often felt nervous because I was afraid of stuttering and was afraid of people getting me wrong because of my poor English skills. But while taking English Plus class, I got more confidence in speaking English because everyone in the class had similar English skills to me. So, I talked a lot and improved my speaking and listening skills. Also, even if there were difficult tasks or homework from other classes, English Plus helped me step by step so I can quickly adapt to other classes and finish my tasks more properly and completely. It's been five months since I took this class, now I can speak English much more naturally than when I first came, and I hear from my friends that my English has improved a lot.”

English Plus uses different assessment methods to collect data on student learning in order to track progress, inform instruction, make curriculum decisions, and set targets for students. One way is by using the WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) which is a series of English language proficiency assessments for Kindergarten through Grade 12. Teachers use the WIDA Standards Framework to meet social and instructional language demands in the classroom as well as core subject language development.

In 2021, the department developed and implemented the Personalized English Learning Plan (PELP) to be used for each English Plus student. The PELP is a designed to be a living document that is used throughout the year for teachers to see a student’s “language story” and how they are developing over time. Teachers, students. and parents are all part of developing this plan as we know that greater learning happens when schools and families work together.

The teachers of the English Plus department are eminently qualified to support student learning and teacher professional development. All teachers in the English Plus department have earned master’s degrees or above in education, curriculum and instruction, EAL education, and/or special education support. Some English Plus teachers have earned multiple postgraduate degrees or certificates and have decades of experience in international education. AISB-Hope International is well-positioned to equip your child with both traditional and 21st century literacies.

To contact us for more information about our school and our English Plus program, please scan one of the QR codes.

Images: Courtesy of AISB-Hope International

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