Visitor observes RBR's model ELL program

Elspeth Stewart observes students Miguel Rendon and Fidel Escalona doing lab work in the ELL chemistry class. LITTLE SILVER - Faculty at Red Bank Regional (RBR) recently welcomed a fellow teacher from Scotland who came to learn about the school's award-winning ELL program.

Elspeth Stewart, the chair of English Additional Language (EAL) Department in Scotland's Moray area, visited America for two weeks through a scholarship provided by the English Speaking Union (ESU).

Stewart observed RBR's ELL classes and took the opportunity to conference with ELL teachers. Stewart was most impressed with RBR's model of providing a sheltered program for ELL students that delivers targeted curriculum while providing students with the language assistance they require to be successful.

This differs from Scotland, she explained, where English is taught separately as an additional language and students are mainstreamed into regular classes with some in-class support.

Although this has been the way EAL has been conducted for years, Stewart explained that the recent entrance of Eastern European nations to the European Union has relaxed travel and immigration rules. Scotland, as other parts of Europe, has experienced an influx of non-English speaking Europeans into its communities and classrooms. The majority originates from Poland but the countries of Hungary, Latvia and Estonia are represented as well. The Scottish educational community is seeking more innovative ways to efficiently improve the English language skills of their new populations.

Assistant Principal and ELL program supervisor Risa Clay explained that the ELL students have special subject classes teaching the required New Jersey core curriculum standards with the assistance of a bilingual aide. Additionally, all core subject teachers, ELL teachers, aides and supervisors conference twice monthly for cross content planning.

Stewart was also interested to learn that RBR encourages non-ELL teachers to be trained in ELL teaching strategies. This becomes important as ELL students improve in level and graduate to non-ELL classes.

Stewart was hosted by Rumson resident Roberta Van Anda, a board member of the Monmouth County chapter of the ESU. The ESU is an international charitable organization founded after World War I to promote English-speaking throughout the world. It aids in this mission by offering scholarships to English language teachers. Stewart also plans to visit Boston, Phoenix, and Tulsa where other commended programs also are in place.