Skip To Main Content

Bilingual ESL Program

Students who are not proficient English speakers receive instruction to develop their English language skills. English Language Learners (ELL) can receive instruction in either English as a Second Language (ESL) or regular content area classes. ELL instruction within the RYSS School District is guided by the district’s Special Populations Department, whose mission statement, core beliefs, and goals were approved by the board of education in July of 2016.

 


 

Mission Statement

To enhance and accelerate the natural transition of language acquisition from the first language to the second language (English) while ensuring long term linguistic, affective, and cognitive development. 

Bilingual/ ESL Program

At Raul Yzaguirre Schools for Success (RYSS), students who speak a native language other than English and have been assessed to be Emergent Bilinguals (EBs), may receive instruction in Bilingual Education programming, or English as a Second Language (ESL) programming. Bilingual Education and ESL programming at RYSS is supported by the district’s Bilingual/ESL Department.

 


 

Early Exit Bilingual Education Program (Grade PK-5) 

The Early Exit Bilingual Education instructional program supports EB students academically by using their home language (Spanish) initially to present content curriculum, with daily English language/content instruction. As students progress through the elementary grades, the language of instruction is shifted from Spanish to English. More English language, literacy, and content instruction is added each year until EB students meet the state reclassification standards. Using Bilingual Education programming, students do not lose content knowledge as they learn English.  

The goal of the RYSS Bilingual Education program shall be to:  

  • Implement an instructional program that uses a student’s home language (Spanish) to maximize and support the development of academic content. 

  • Prioritize and shift instruction to English to support the development of language and literacy development and academic content in English. 

  • Utilize instructional approaches designed to meet the academic and linguistic needs of EBs.  

  • Utilize the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) as the base of the curriculum to support all instruction. 

  • Support EB students and their families to become an integral part of the school culture.  

 

English as a Second Language (ESL) Program (Grades PK-12)  

 

The English as a Second Language instructional program supports EB students academically by using specialized methods to present content curriculum in English. ESL methods increase the comprehensibility of the materials presented in the lesson cycle, increase the collaboration of students in the lesson cycle and support the rigor of the content.  

The goal of ESL programs shall be to: 

  • Enable EBs to become competent in the listening, speaking, reading, and writing of English. 

  • Emphasize the mastery of English language skills and academic content. 

  • Use instructional approaches designed to meet the academic and linguistic needs of EBs. 

  • Utilize the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) as the base of the curriculum to support all instruction. 

  • Support EB students and their families to become an integral part of the total school program.