ESL students in International Schools

[silverfern]

We have a situation where the ESL students in the class outweigh the number of English speaking students significantly. The ESL students are separated for foreign language only, where they are taught English, otherwise the ESL students are fully integrated. Could anyone tell me how this is managed in International Schools generally. Does the school provide additional teaching staff or is this normal practice?

Do schools normally cap the numbers of ESL per class, per school etc? What is the impact on English speaking children?

Interested on information, thoughts, previous experience and possible solutions.

Thanks,

[Aussiefamily]

Hi, my daughter is in the class and actually finds the situation quite frustrating. She is under the impression the class may be split as it is getting quite large, she is hoping the English speaking kids will be in one class. I don't really have any answers, if you hear of anything let me know.

[silverfern]

Congratulations on the new position. I'm hoping you have kept my contact details as I have mislaid yours. Give me a call sometime.

[k1w1]

Some schools will give ESL students a placement test, so any students who are below a certain level of english (ie: unable to cope in mainstream classes) are not admitted.

Others have gradual integration programmes where the ESL students are only put into more language intensive classes (like Humanities and Science) slowly and once their english level has increased.

Unfortunately some schools admit anyone with their chequebook and don't really care how this affects other students.

Are the ESL students given in-class langauge support? If they are in mainstream classes, they should be supported to cope with it. It's not fair on anyone if this doesn't happen. Most International Schools charge ESL students additional school fees, so they really should get more support. Perhaps this is something you could mention to your school.