English Learners & Bilingual Education

In the Appleton Area School District approximately 1,528 students qualify for our English Learner (EL) program. 

As an EL Department, we are collectively committed to ensuring all English Learners:

• Achieve English proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking in order to communicate and synthesize information effectively.
• Integrate newly acquired language skills into content subjects and areas outside of the EL/bilingual setting.
• Maintain, develop, and value their native language literacy, skills, and culture.
• Build awareness of and toward the cultural norms and expectations of the American educational system. 

English Learner Program

The EL program works directly with students at thirteen elementary schools, three middle schools, and three high schools.

At all grade levels, the program utilizes a variety of instructional approaches to teaching English. Students may receive more intensive, small group instruction with their EL teacher in their classroom or through pull-out services. These services will focus on the development of English through content-area instruction. Particular attention is paid to the development of academic literacy skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

At the middle school and high school levels, some students also receive instruction in science, social studies, and math in a sheltered class environment where the instructor adapts traditional approaches to teaching and incorporates methods to support English learners.

Our bilingual staff also provides important native language support to students in order to enhance academic progress as students learn English. We have about 40 teachers (some full-time, a few part-time) and about 35 interpreters, K-12.

Participation in the program is voluntary and requires parent or guardian permission. Students are assessed annually to determine their progress in the English language. Their exit from the program is dependent upon the results of the language assessments and classroom performance.

Partial funding for the EL and Bilingual Education program comes from Federal and State funding sources. The Federal government also offers additional funding for English Language Learners under Title III. The District has applied for and received these funds in order to supplement its local program.

Goals

• Communicate effectively in oral and written English
• Achieve a level of reading literacy commensurate with ability
• Develop a mastery of learning processes inherent in American education including critical thinking skills
• Develop positive listening skills and learn to use listening to synthesize information
• Integrate newly-acquired linguistic skills into content subjects and areas outside of the EL / Bilingual setting
• Achieve understanding of and comfort in the American culture
• Maintain and develop native language literacy skills
• Maintain, develop, and value the student's native culture

WIDA Standards

AASD's EL curriculum follows grade level state content standards and the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) Standards.

Standard 1: Social and Instructional Language
English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting. 

Standard 2: Language of Language Arts
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts.

Standard 3: Language of Mathematics
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of mathematics. 

Standard 4: Language of Science
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science. 

Standard 5: Language of Social Studies
English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies.