English language-learning program to be offered as international student population increases
Photo Credit: Kristin Marzullo
Spanish teacher Sandi Seiler instructs intentional students a few times a week . Next year, a formal ESL class will be offered for international students to sharpen their English.
Katie Clarke, Features Editor
March 16, 2010
Filed under News
For the 2010-2011 school year, JC will implement a new ESL (English as a Second Language) program designed specifically for the needs of international students.
Spanish teacher Sandi Seiler currently meets throughout the week with nine international students to work on strengthening their English skills and to help them cope with their changing academic lives.
“It is extremely difficult to have to deal with day-to-day life using a foreign language let alone having to use a foreign language to learn content in a variety of subject areas. I really believe that the international students need the opportunity to work with someone who understands their struggles associated with living far from home for an extended period of time and what a barrier language can be,” Seiler said.
In addition to the academic help, Seiler hopes to alleviate some of the worries for the international students in the community. “They need to be able to ask questions and get answers related to language and culture while improving their language skills and gaining confidence especially in speaking English,” Seiler said.
While Seiler tries to meet with as many of the international students as possible, four could not fit the meetings into their schedules. However, according to Director of Guidance Carol Heflin-Shupe, the international students at JC are eager to sharpen their English skills. “They all really want to learn English and communicate better with the community,” Heflin-Shupe said.
Seiler has great aspirations for the program. “Language is the key that unlocks the barrier between people from different countries, and I am hoping that the ESL class will not only help the international students better cope with their classes, but also help them feel more comfortable becoming integral members of our community,” said Seiler.
The school also hopes to attract more international students through this ESL support system. “I think it is important for the JC community to be able to state that an ESL program is in place in order to continue to attract high school students from abroad who would like to spend time studying in the US,” said Seiler.
“The international students add depth to our community that we haven’t had before. They’re great kids. And ESL is helping them to communicate better both in the classroom and the community,” said Heflin-Shupe.
While the formal structure of the classes is not set in stone, they will focus on speaking skills for class discussions and presentations. Another important focus of the class will be strengthening their individual writing skills.
Seiler aims to seek other JC students’ participation in this program. “I would love to explore the possibility of having interested JCS students get involved with some tutoring as I did with the ESL class that I co-taught at St. Francis last year,” said Seiler.
Next year, according to Seiler, the school will have 5 additional international students.
The key to the ESL program at JC is not only to benefit the international students, but the community as a whole.
Seiler said, “I find it very interesting to work with people from different countries and language backgrounds. The international students that attend JCS are truly a blessing to our community; we can learn so much from them! My hope is that the international students will feel as though they are true members of the community and they will develop lifelong friendships with many students.”
Katie Clarke can be reached for comment at kclarke@jcpatriot.com.