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Bilingual Education

Department of Language Acquisition Services

Yá’át’ééh, Bienvenidos, Welcome

Excellence for all English Learners

Phone: (928) 527-6108

 

Our goals are:

To ensure that our English language learners acquire the language skills necessary to succeed in life and in the classroom
To help students become proficient speakers, readers, and writers of English as quickly as possible
To prepare students to meet or exceed state academic standards
EL Specialists coordinate Language Acquisition Plans to help each EL meet these goals.

 

What we offer:

  • EL Identification and Placement
  • EL Services to Students
  • Language Acquisition Plans
  • Special Language Programs
  • Progress Monitoring
  • Language Proficiency Testing
  • EL Teacher Training

Summary of Programs

Structured English Immersion (SEI) and English Language Proficiency Standards (ELP) Bilingual Education

Content

(What is taught?)

State EL Proficiency Standards

Arizona State Standards

State EL Proficiency Standards

Arizona State Standards

Methodology

(How is it taught?)

SEI - ELs in secondary schools receive intensive English instruction for one-two hours a day in reading, writing, grammar, and academic vocabulary, plus one or more hours of language-supported content instruction by the classroom teachers.

EL Instruction- Els in Elementary Schools receive one-two hours of language-focused instruction with an EL Specialist plus one or more hours of language-supported content instruction by the classroom teacher.

Navajo Immersion:  Students are taught in Navajo for at least 50% of the day and English for the remainder of the day.

Dual language:  Students are taught in English for 50% of the day and Spanish for 50% of the day

Languages of Instruction 

(In what language do we teach?)

 English

English and other language

(Spanish or Navajo)

Instruction and rate of transition to mainstream

(How long will it take for ELs to become proficient in English?)

 ELs usually acquire basic English skills in one to two years. All classes are mainstream; there is no transition to a different program.  ELs usually acquire basic English skills in one to two years.
Goal To become proficient speakers, readers, and writers of English, which leads them to success in their chosen paths. To become proficient multilingual speakers, readers, and writers of English and Spanish or Navajo.

 

Common Questions

  • An English Learner (EL) is a student who lives in a home where a language other than English is spoken and is determined to have limited English proficiency.

  • During registration, all parents complete a Home Language Survey. If the survey indicates that a language other than English is spoken in the home, the student is tested for English proficiency using the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA). Students who do not score proficient on the AZELLA qualify for EL programs. ELL's are retested yearly to measure their progress.

  • Structured English Immersion (SEI): EL students in secondary schools receive one-two hours of targeted English instruction each day in conversation, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary in a self-contained classroom. They also receive one-two hours integrated instruction in the general education setting where the classroom teachers support language development through content instruction. 

    EL Education: El students in elementary school receive one-two hours of targeted English instruction each day in conversation, reading, writing, grammar, and vocabulary in a small group setting with an EL Specialist. They also receive one-two hours of integrated instruction in the general education setting where the classroom teachers support language development through content instruction. 

    Bilingual Education: This program is offered at Puente de Hozho Tri-lingual Magnet Elementary School, and Puente de Hozho Language Academy at Sinagua Middle School. Parents must sign a waiver for their child to participate in either the Spanish/English Dual Language Program or the Navajo Immersion Program. The goal of these programs is for students to become proficient speakers, readers, and writers of English and another language (Spanish or Navajo).

    If you have questions about English Language Learner programs, contact the EL specialist in your building. 

  • All students have equal opportunities to participate in all district programs. For example, some EL students may qualify for the gifted program. Other EL students may qualify for Special Education services.

    Our programs, teachers, staff, and resources are all focused on helping English language learners (ELs) reach their highest potential. Our main focus is to ensure that FUSD English language learners acquire the language skills they need to succeed in the classroom and in life. 

  • Parents have the right to remove their child from the program if they do not want them to receive language learning services. A parent may sign a Parent Withdraw form. This withdraws students from the EL services but they will remain an EL student and need to take the AZELLA test each year until they reach a level of proficient. 

  • If you have general questions about our English Learner programs, you may call the district office at (928) 527-6107.

    If you have specific questions about your child's EL program, you may call the school and ask to speak to the EL Specialist.

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