English for Speakers of Other Languages

The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program guarantees equal educational access for English Learners (ELs). ESOL teachers work in collaboration with the classroom teachers to provide EL support that promotes achievement in the grade level content areas (language arts, math, science, and social studies). EL services build upon the  unique cultural and linguistic attributes students bring to the learning community while growing their English proficiency in the four language domains (listening, speaking, reading, and writing).

During online registration or at your local school, if a language other than English is indicated on the registration form, an appointment will be made to provide students with an English language screener called the WIDA screener. The screener is administered at Stafford County Schools’ Welcome Center. The test assesses four areas: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Based on the results of the screener, recommendations for ESOL services may be made. The results of the screener will be sent directly to the school of record. The schools will send home a letter informing families of the recommendation for ESOL services, the student’s English Language Proficiency Level (ELP), and the services they will receive at the school.

Middle school students receive their ESOL services through either content-based instruction, where the ESOL teachers work collaboratively with the content teacher or through English Language Development (ELD) courses taught by the ESOL teacher. The ELD courses offered at the middle school level are Content Language Development, Reading and Writing for English Learners, and Math Concepts for English Learners. The goal of these courses is to accelerate English language development and provide background knowledge in the core academic subject areas.

High school offers several ELD courses taught by an ESOL teacher, as well as co-taught courses to support ELs at different proficiency levels. At the highschool level a variety of ELD courses are offered to accelerate English language development, through teaching academic vocabulary, and providing content background knowledge to help students be successful in their content courses. These courses include English for Academic Purposes, foundational courses and English Language  Concept courses  covering the languages of math, language arts, science and social studies,, ESOL Algebra Readiness, and ESOL Environmental Science.