Thanks again, you've really touched on the reasons why I wanted to get into this profession to begin with. I will be looking more closely at VA requirements. Thank you, and best of luck!!

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

Thank you so much for your reply!!! This is exactly what I hoped to hear. It was mainly about knowing how your time is structured, how you go from one class to the other. It's also comforting to hear how much you love it and that the environment around you is supportive. Seeing my own kids go through a school year, I am always amazed about how much they grow during it, and I cannot wait to be part of a school environment. This will be a second career for me, and I hope to find work in the lower grades.
Do you do most of your general planning before the actual year starts, or is it more of a weekly effort? Any resources to point me to?
You also mentioned testing which I am not familiar with, but I will look it up. Is some of it state-specific? (I'd be in VA).

Thanks again, sounds like your students are really in good hands!

I teach in a public elementary school. I have 34 students in grades K-5 (although I don't teach 2nd grade). I teach 6 classes per day (appr. 45 mins per class). 3 days per week, I get a planning period and on those days, I teach 5 classes per day. I teach beginners, intermediates and advanced students. All are native Spanish speakers which is a plus because I speak some Spanish. Also, we share the same alphabet for the most part and there are many cognates. This job is not a desk job. I don't sit down all except for lunch which is at my desk reading/answering emails, etc. I go to each homeroom to pick up my students and then bring them back to my classroom. After class, I take them back to their homeroom. Then, I pick up my next group, etc. I wore my pedometer one day and I had logged 10,000 by the time the day was half over. In the 3rd and 4th quarters, there is a ton of testing and meetings. We did ESOL testing which took weeks as well as practice MSAs, the real MSAs, the Stanford 10.... I really love my students. I love how much they grow in one school year. Some speak little or no English in Sept. and by now, I can have a decent conversation with them. I love that I learn as much from them as they learn from me. If we have a few minutes left in class, I let them be the teacher. They use my pointer and teach me words in Spanish. I do not love that I don't have enough planning time or that I teach so many different grade levels. I go from advanced 5th graders to beginning kindergarteners. I cannot stand all of the BS with test scores which is tied to our evaluations, etc. I feel very lucky to work in a great school where most of the teachers and admin really do support ESOL students. Feel free to ask any specific questions.

...describe your typical day. I am working toward an ESL license, and would like to know a bit more about the real world application. Thanks!