English as a New Language (ENL) Services

Overview

The goal of the English as a New Language (ENL) program is to prepare English language learners (ELL) for success by supporting English language acquisition.  In the ENL program, language arts and content-area instruction are taught in English using specific ENL instructional strategies.

Our ENL program spans K-12 and every English Language Learner is involved in this program. This program serves students from many different home/primary language backgrounds and who are all learning English. The goal is to support students as they progress to English proficiency. 

Instruction in this program, formerly known as English as a Second Language (ESL), emphasizes English language acquisition. In an ENL program, language arts and content-area instruction are taught in English using specific ENL instructional strategies. Some content area classes are integrated classes.  Students receive core content area and English language development instruction, including the use of the home/primary language as support and appropriate ELL instructional support to enrich comprehension. Integrated ENL classes are 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. In a stand-alone ENL class, students receive English language development instruction taught by a NYS-certified teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in order to acquire the English language needed for success in core content areas.

Based on an ELL’s proficiency level, there are required and flexible units of Integrated and Stand-Alone ENL. 

(Please see additional information from the New York State Education Department about the five levels of English proficiency and the number of units of ENL services.

Gr. 9-12 ENL Units of Study

Stand-Alone ENL

In Stand-Alone ENL, students receive English language development taught by a New York State certified ESOL teacher to acquire the English language needed for success in core content areas.  Our Stand-Alone ENL classes are a pull-out program where our ENL teachers work with ELLs outside of the general education classroom. 

New York State Testing Information for ENL Students and Families

Standardized assessments are used to identify the English proficiency levels of ELLs.

  • NYSITELL (New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners): The State Education Department mandates that each student entering the district, whose family indicates on the Home Language Survey that another language is spoken at home, must be given the NYSITELL to determine the level of English proficiency (Entering, Emerging, Transitioning, Expanding, Commanding). 

  • NYSESLAT: NYSESLAT: Each Spring, all ELLs statewide are administered the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT) to measure their progress toward meeting NYS ENL standards. This test measures a student's proficiency level in reading, writing, speaking and listening. The 2022 NYSESLAT will be administered this school year in May.

  • New York State Content Area Assessments: Assessments in Math, Science and Social Studies are given to students beginning in Grade 3, regardless of their ELL status. Students have the option of taking the exam in either English or in their native language if available. Currently, these assessments are available in Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Korean, and Russian. The NYS ELA assessment is administered to students beginning in Grade 3. The NYS ELA is only administered to students who have been in the U.S. for at least one consecutive school year.

  • Translated Regents Exams are also available for students. 

ENL Staff

  • Mrs. Meryeme Gashi (ENL Coordinator)
  • Mr. Louise Michaud (PMHS)
  • Ms. Cintia Conrad (Middle School)
  • Mrs. Kathleen Vela (Middle School_
  • Ms. Rosemarie Cipollone (Hutchinson)
  • Olga Varnavskaya (Hutchinson)

NYSED Parent Resources for ENL Students

Family/Parent Resources

  • ELL Parents Bill of Rights in English and Spanish

  • Guide to enrolling in US Schools for the first time in Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child become a good reader in Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child with homework in English and Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child learn Science in Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child learn Math in Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child in early adolescence in Spanish

  • Guide on how to help your child be a good citizen in Spanish

  • Questions parents ask about schools in Spanish

  • NYSESLAT Parent Guide English and Spanish

  • How to maintain your child's native language at home in Spanish

  • Parent's guide to Special Education in Spanish

  • 20 ways to help your child succeed in Spanish