Support Programmes
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
Subject Aims
- To identify Year 9 and 10 students who need a supportive literacy programme to enable them to reach their potential.
- To identify students with other specific learning problems such as inability to commit ideas onto paper, or extremely short attention span.
- To provide teaching/tutoring programmes to overcome identified deficiencies and for continuous support where needed throughout Years 11-13.
- Students in the ‘English for Speakers of other Languages’ (ESOL) programme will be tested to find their individual level and a programme will be set to meet their individual needs. As their proficiency develops they will work towards Unit Standards or NCEA level 1 followed by level 2.
Outline of Year 9 & 10 Reading and Language Support
All students referred to our department are assessed using Probe and Burt Vocabulary for reading/comprehension/sight vocabulary levels. Students needing help will be withdrawn as a group or individually from one or two classes per 10 day cycle to have specific needs addressed. Reader/Writer assistance in tests is also given where appropriate. There is also focus given to support students’ achievement with class tasks. If individual needs are large, a one on one teacher pupil programme will also be given. This will include consultation and a working relationship with the subject teacher, parent/caregiver and Language Resource Department. Rapport between parent/caregiver and our department is encouraged and valued. We encourage this contact. It enables a team approach.
Lexia Strategies for Older Students is a software programme designed to deliver individualised spelling and literacy tuition, consolidating and extending on individual skills. Identified Year 9,10 and 11 students are withdrawn from classes for ten minutes, 6 times in a ten day cycle. The spend there 10 minutes working on their programme, then return to class. Results are monitored and regular reports are created and discussed with the student, teachers and caregivers.
Teacher Aides
Teacher Aides are allocated to classes where there is need for student support both at Year 9 and 10. Teacher Aides play a big part in our support systems run from Language Resource. Our Teacher Aides work in classes giving general support to teachers in a wide range of subjects. They also support specific Resource Teachers of Learning and Behaviour (RTLB) targeted students both in class and on an individual basis. Their work is invaluable and appreciated.
Senior Students
E.S.O.L. students will continue to receive assistance/teaching appropriate to their needs. This often occurs across other subjects, vocabulary support, understanding tasks, Unit Standards etc.
Students requiring reading and/or writing assistance with NCEA and school exams will receive this if they meet the criteria. this is not available for ESOL students.
Other senior students will receive help as the need arises or in response to teacher/parent request as staffing allows. Overseas scholarship students receive help with interpretation difficulties of material as they arise. Help is also given when coping with the grammatical difficulties in their subjects and editing of written work is also done. Students requiring other specific assistance and/or special assessment circumstances are also catered for.
Sustained Silent Reading
All Year 9 and 10 students will take part in sustained silent reading, for the first 10 minutes of morning periods each day - a very important part of their day. For some it is the only reading they do. Lack of the skill of physically being able to settle and to read is a great hindrance with the demands of textbook and other educational reading expected of all students. Not being willing or able to complete reading texts leads to huge disadvantage at senior level. Communication levels of English are vital for future career success. Continued support from home ie. a “reading time” allocation is also hugely beneficial, as is support with general completion of tasks.