ESOL Program

At CAPCS, we offer comprehensive services for students and families who speak languages other than English.

CAPCS' LCD/ESOL department bridges cultures to:

forge mutual understanding and acceptance
ensure equal access to the curriculum
promote strong English language development
develop skills to achieve academic success

PARENT COMMUNICATION
We provide oral translations for all languages and written translations of major documents into Amharic, French, Vietnamese, and Chinese. We regularly provide written translation of school documents into Spanish and our phone system is in both English and Spanish. We also host monthly parent breakfasts and each week we reach out to the families in our program. We often start off the year with a special orientation for families new to the US and the DC schools.

INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT
Our team leads teacher trainings on linguistic and cultural diversity and best ESOL practices, regularly assesses students' reading, writing, listening, and speaking, and provides after school tutoring. In pre-school through 5^th grade, students receive English language support via the inclusion model. We found that providing support in the classroom during the literacy block or center time to be the most efficient service model for this age group. In the middle school, we offer secondary support classes that focus mostly on helping students become successful independent learners by developing their reading, writing, and study skills and by previewing content from their main subject areas. Lastly, newcomers to the US and academic English receive High Intensity Language Training (HILT) to help them adjust to their new setting and develop the linguistic and cultural knowledge necessary for success in school. Currently we serve 179 students from 17 different language backgrounds.

PHILOSOPHY
Here at Community Academy Public Charter School (CAPCS), we believe that all the students in our charge can learn and have a right to a positive educational experience. For this to take place, we must ensure that we provide our linguistically and culturally diverse (LCD) students with the optimum conditions for successful learning. Understanding and appreciating the linguistic and cultural diversity of our student population is essential for the creation of a positive learning environment and an effective program of instruction and support.

A multicultural awareness, fostered within the classroom, coupled with a solid understanding of second language development and the learning process, allows for an effective delivery system of instruction and a world-class education. The education of the English language learners (ELLS) here at CAPCS is a responsibility shared by all our staff. A concerted effort on the part of the LCD specialist, the classroom teacher, parents, paraprofessionals, administration and the ELL student is necessary to ensure success for all. It is imperative that all of the aforementioned individuals be aware of this responsibility.

All of the approaches to successful instruction implemented by our staff should integrate the five linguistic domains: listening, speaking, reading, writing, and thinking. Furthermore, LCD specialist lessons should be contextualized and carry real meaning to allow for optimal language development. In addition to fostering a strong command of the English language, we believe it is equally important to instill in our students a strong appreciation for their home language and culture and those of others. The home languages and cultures of our students should be embraced in our libraries, hallways, and bulletin boards, and our staff should include successful bilingual role models. Lastly, it is our hope and charge that all of our students become productive bilingual citizens who can navigate the academic challenges, social situations, and linguistic demands they encounter throughout their lives with ease and finesse.