The EAL program at ISD supports students whose first language is not English and who require additional assistance in developing their English language skills.
Our school’s EAL teaching team is composed of language specialists who help students acquire and develop the English language skills necessary for academic success. They provide targeted instruction to help students improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities in English.
Teachers & Students
Our EAL teachers provide individualized instruction to meet the specific needs of each student. They tailor their teaching methods and materials to accommodate different learning styles and language proficiencies, ensuring that students receive the necessary support to progress in their English language development.
The EAL department collaborates with subject teachers to integrate language instruction into the content areas. They help students understand and use academic vocabulary, comprehend complex texts, and express themselves effectively in various subject areas.
The EAL students at ISD thrive in our supportive environment where learning is meaningful, relevant and responsive to their needs.
Empowering Dynamic Language Growth
In the Elementary school at ISD, our EAL teachers are integrated into the classroom, supporting English language acquisition within the context of the homeroom learning environment. These teachers also provide targeted language interventions and scheduled diagnostic testing using the WIDA educational consortium MODEL assessment. Beyond the classroom, our Elementary school EAL teachers take part in collaborative planning sessions within grade level teaching teams to create specific language objectives that support the content of instruction and assessment.
EAL+
Students in the Elementary School that score early on the WIDA language development continuum are offered additional English support in our EAL+ classes in lieu of other world languages. Students in EAL+ receive direct English language instruction in a small group setting during the Languages Block. Instruction is targeted to meet students’ language development needs. Activities and lessons are planned to help students develop balanced skills across the four domains of speaking, listening, reading and writing. Core content and vocabulary development are supported in EAL+, so that students can successfully meet grade level learning goals. In addition, EAL+ students benefit from in-class support in their homeroom classrooms.
