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World Languages and ENL

English as a New Language

 

  

"We want to raise our children so that they can take a sense of pleasure in both their own heritage and the diversity of others." ~Mister Rodgers

 

2023-2024 Districtwide ENL Faculty
Stephany Contreras
Jami Catapano
Deborah DaSilva
Stephanie Khudari
Jennifer Livolsi
Donna Maher
Nasim Noosha
Kerrie Rivera
Shannon Thompson
Dilek Ustunluk

 

Each year the Northport-East Northport UFSD educates several English Language Learners (ELLs). As we help our ELLs become familiar with their new environment and learn the English language, we also encourage them to share their own cultures with us in an effort to develop a deeper understanding of the diverse cultures in the United States and in the world. By sharing their global perspectives in our ENL classrooms and in their academic courses, our ELLs help bring diversity and awareness to our community.

The English as a New Language curriculum is in built in collaboration with mainstream teachers to help ELLs develop appropriate English language skills and master the content being introduced in their mainstream classes. The ENL teachers work diligently to ensure that our ELLs are provided with the support they need in order succeed in their classes and help them achieve the required level of English proficiency needed to exit the ENL program. The NYSESLAT is the only assessment that can determine if a student has reached that level. To enhance our curricula and encourage our students to be active participants in their education, opportunities will be provided to ENL teachers and students to use the latest technological tools.

Please review the terms below to assist you in understanding the English as a New Language program:

  • ELL: English Language Learner
  • ENL: English as a New Language
  • MLL: Multi-language learner
  • TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
  • NYSESLAT: New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test
  • NYSITELL: New York State Identification Test for English Language Learners
  • HLQ: Home Language Questionnaire

 

How are students identified as English Language Learners?   

 

1. All incoming families are required to complete a HomeLanguage Questionnaire (HLQ) as part of their overall registration process. This form is available in a variety of languages. If your family speaks a language other than English you may complete this form in your native language.

2. All New York State Schools are mandated to follow the NYS English Language Learner (ELL) screening, identification, placement, review, and exit criteria set forth by NYSED. If you would like to review the process, please click on the link provided. 

3. If a student is identified as an ELL, then he/she is placed in the ENL program and services will begin; school placement and/or periods are determined by a student's level of proficiency, grade level, and home address.

4. Can a parent/guardian refuse ENL services? Here is the answer from the New York State Education Department:

No. There is no opting out from ENL once a child is identified and placed in the ENL program. New York State requires that all identified LEP/ELL students receive ENL instruction appropriate to their proficiency level. Parents do not have the option to withdraw their child from an ENL program.

Click on the link to the NYS bilingual education website to learn more about our NYS requirements.

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