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ESOL/Bilingual Program

(301) 649-2860

Resource Teacher: Joseph Bellino
Joseph_C_Bellino@mcpsmd.org

Jump to: Staff Info | Courses and Support

Currently there are 300 students in Blair's ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program which account for approximately 10% of the current student population. Another 20% of Blair's current enrollment are former ESOL students who were in the ESOL program at Blair or one of its feeder schools.

Students in the ESOL program are tested and placed as follows:

ESOL Literacy (METS)

Level 3 - low intermediate

Level 1 - low beginning

Level 4 - high intermediate

Level 2 - high beginning

Level 5 - advanced

Students are tested during the year and are moved from level to level as needed. Students may exit from the ESOL program if they achieve a score of 85 or higher on the minimum English Competencies (MEC) Test or present a written request from a parent or guardian requesting that the student be placed in regular classes.

CLASSES and SUPPORT OFFERED by the
ESOL/BILINGUAL DEPARTMENT

Intensive English Classes: Students in ESOL literacy and levels 1 & 2 have a double period English class. All other students have only one period of English. In ESOL classes, teachers emphasize listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills.

Language Laboratory: One period of lab per day is required for all level 1 students. Lab computers give students additional practice with listening and speaking skills.

Sheltered Content Classes: ESOL/Bilingual teachers offer sheltered content classes to selected students in ESOL literacy and levels 1 & 2 only.

  • Basic Reading - for all ESOL 3 students for students with interrupted education
  • US History A and B - for students in ESOL levels 2
  • Modern World History- for students in ESOL level 2
  • MAPS - for students in ESOL levels 1 or 2 who are preparing to take Algebra
  • Algebra 1 - A regular math teacher and an ESOL teacher team teach an Algebra 1 class for ESOL 1 and 2 students

Academic Support Room - The ESOL Department offers support to ESOL students for help with all their ESOL and content classes in room 151. The support room is open every day during 5A and 5B lunch and after school Monday through Thursday until 3:30 p.m.

SHELTERED CLASSES and SUPPORT OFFERED to ESOL STUDENTS by OTHER DEPARTMENTS

Social Studies - US History A and B, NSL Government, World History

Science - Matter and Energy and Biology/Environmental Science

Math - The math department offers a Related Math class for ESOL students.

English - A Bridge English class is offered to ESOL students in level 5 and former ESOL students who are preparing to High School Assessment in English.

Career and Technology Education - A special technology class is offered to ESOL students in conjunction with the M&E (science) class.

 

Teaching Staff Information

 

Link to CX Bridges Interest Inventory (for ESOL dept staff and students)

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