Over the years, data has shown an increasingly diverse student population here at LHS. With an influx of many different languages other than English that is spoken amongst our students, ranging from Spanish to Japanese, to even Haitian Creole. However, many of these students find it difficult to assimilate within the rest of english speaking body.
As of August, Mrs. Michelle Davis, the English as a first language teacher between the High School and the Middle School helps these students as they start learning and understanding English. Mrs. Davis mentions that there is often a quiet period for foreign new students which generally makes it harder to connect with them, especially since English is extremely daunting to learn.
Mrs. Davis said, “The best way for them to learn is socially.” This is precisely why classes are mixed up by level of fluency and not by language or grade; like any language class students have trouble with listening and speaking but excel in reading and writing. Mrs. Davis said, “Them partnering up and learning the language is great.” For them to develop adequate english social skills, just having general english conversations benefits their development so much.
To test their skills, the WIDA or as said on its website, “Is a computer-based, semi-adaptive English language proficiency assessment for students in grades 1-12.” Students need a 5 or more to pass the test to be classified as fluent in English.
Mrs. Davis said, “Since I’ve been here [August], there have been 6 new students.” This shows, as the number of languages spoken here has exploded to 21 different languages across all 1,021 students that attend here at Lebanon High School.
