Welcome to English as a Second Language
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The Wilkes County Schools English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is for English Learners (EL) whose first language is a language other than English and whose English proficiency is still considered to be limited. In the ESL program, EL students work with a licensed ESL teacher who helps them improve their English skills in the four domains of language:
- Speaking
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
The ESL teacher uses many different strategies to connect English language skills with the subject matter students are learning in the content areas. Because the language skills are taught in the context of the student's academic subjects, the skills EL students learn have more meaning as well as provide a reinforcement of the skills learned in the content areas. Wilkes County Schools, along with other districts in North Carolina, partners with WIDA to provide, "...advances in language development and academic achievement for linguistically diverse students through high-quality standards, assessments, research, and professional development for educators." Please access the WIDA website through the link above to find out more. This link will open in a new window.