English as Second Language (ESL) is intensive English language instruction by teachers that are certified to recognize and work with language differences. The ESL program is required by state law in school districts with students who have limited English language skills.

Will my child be taught the same subjects and learn the same skills as students in the regular education program?

Yes! All Basic skills in reading, language arts, mathematics, science and social studies are taught at the students's instructional level, depending on how well he or she understands and speaks English. 

 

Yes! Other subjects such as health, physical education, and fine arts are also taught in an ESL program as part of the state's balanced curriculum.

New Braunfels ISD currently has over 700 students for whom English is not the primary language. In Texas, the predominate language of English Language Learners is Spanish, but that is not the only language other than English that we have represented. Currently we have more than 10 languages represented among our students. Languages spoken other than English and Spanish are German, Lithuanian, Yoruba, Vietnamese, Portuguese, Indonesian, and Ukrainian. To address the needs of these children, New Braunfels ISD has many bilingual teachers and English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers who serve these students on a daily basis.

Support for the ESL program in New Braunfels ISD is designed around the philosophy that being bilingual in our global society is extremely beneficial. The ability to listen, speak, read, and write in more than one language is an advantage for our students. 

• Achieve academic proficiency in all subjects, meeting or exceeding expectations.
• Enable students to maintain skills in their primary languages as well as develop skills in their secondary language, thus enabling them to function fully in the general academic program and in future occupational opportunities.
• Provide opportunities to develop and identify with their cultural heritage as well as cultivating an understanding of other cultures, thereby developing a positive attitude toward fellow students, their families, and their communities.
• Become bilingual/ biliterate members of the community as well as life-long learners.

• Teachers are appropriately certified by the state to teach ESL.
• Specific ESL instruction materials are adopted in order to ensure students will learn English as a Second Language.
• The focus is on learning English for effective participation in other classes.

• Parents can ask their child’s teacher or principal about becoming a member of the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) which helps determine how students will be taught and which program to enter.
• Parents can encourage their child at home, provide a place to study, and show interest in schoolwork and activities.
• Parents can volunteer for classroom activities.

• Teachers who are specially trained and certified to teach in ESL programs meet the special language needs of students.

• An ESL program is structured language instruction designed to teach English to students whose English language skills are limited.
• ESL instruction considers the student’s learning experiences and cultural backgrounds.
• ESL is taught through second language methods for teaching mathematics, science and social studies.

• An ESL program develops competence in the English language.
• The English language is taught through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• A student’s instructional program is modified to make it easier to learn English.

• Students in elementary school who speak a language other than English.
• Students in middle or high school who speak a language other than English in their home and who have difficulty with the English language are ideal candidates.