Reply to ESL teacher? Please...

Forum Index » Jobs and Careers

Reply to "ESL teacher? Please..."

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous]Me again.  I am in MD.  I assume that VA gives the same ESOL testing but I could be wrong.  The yearly test for ESOL students is called the WIDA ACCESS.  You can google "WIDA" to learn about the test and the standards.  It has a listening/reading section and a writing section.  They are given in a group setting.  There is also a speaking section which is individually administered.  They are scored from 1-5.  A 1 proficiency is a brand new beginner and once the student scores a 5, they are exited from the ESOL program.  A lot depends on how long a student remains in ESOL.  The tests are given in grade bands (s0 grades 1-2 take the same test, grades 3-5 take the same test).  They are also divided into A,B,C with A being the test a beginner would take, etc).  It isn't easy to test out of ESOL.  Some of my students have gotten high scores on the MSA test but still cannot pass the WIDA ACCESS test.  I am a new teacher so my lesson planning started off as a day-to-day effort.  The first few months, I was at school 45 mins early and stayed for at least an hour after school ended.  I am getting into a groove now so I will finish next week's plans tomorrow after school.  Luckily, I can escape the duties of having a homeroom and all that goes with that (permission slips, money, etc).  It is also much easier to take time off since I can just let the homeroom teachers know I won't be pulling classes that day.  I don't need a substitute which is a huge deal.  I would start off looking at the WIDA website to get an idea of the ACCESS test and the WIDA standards.  Look for the "Can Do" descriptors too.  They describe what each proficiency level should be able to do in terms of reading, writing, listening and speaking.  I am sure the VA Dept. of Education would have more state specific info about ESOL in VA.  Some schools systems may use their ESOL teachers differently depending on their needs.  They might do push-in where the ESOL teacher works in the classroom with the ESOL students and collaborates with the classroom/content area teacher.  I do push-in once or twice a week with my advanced students.  Teachers will also look to you as an expert on ESOL (which I am not yet!).  They might ask how to make classroom accommodations for them.  The paperwork is a pain sometimes.  Lots of forms need to be in the students' files to satisfy federal regulations so the beginning and end of the year is a lot of paperwork.  Hope I answered some of your questions.  The good thing is is that the ESOL population will continue to grow which means job prospects will be good  :)[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics