Some students at Campo may be unaware that they have peers who don’t speak English or have a different first language. Whether it be a class or program, these students with language barriers must navigate school life by finding the best resources for them to succeed.
English Language Learners, also known as EL, is a term for non-English speaking students. The English Language Development program, also known as ELD, is a class for EL students to learn new concepts and tasks with other EL students. Principal Pete Alvarez shared how administration has a teacher that helps students with a language barrier and how that teacher manages the ELD program.
Nathan Ward is the only ELD teacher at Campolindo. Ward shared how the ELD program works and how it is a support system for students. He stated, “It is a very intimate small group of students that have a specific class period that gives them some space to practice their English and have less pressure to speak and write fluently. They have an English teacher who can help them one-on-one to help them develop those certain skills and complete assignments for their other classes with teacher support.”
Ward is an English teacher, making him a helpful resource to students who struggle with writing tasks but also other assignments. Ward spoke about how this class period is not just for learning English, but also for finishing assignments and working on tasks that EL students may be unable to do in a typical classroom setting.
Counselor Cassie Santellan also spoke about English language learners and how students who don’t speak English should have support not only from faculty but from the whole community. She said, “I think a big piece that all of us can do is we can make these students feel not necessarily welcomed right, because anyone can welcome you and welcome you in a space but I think making them feel like they belong is very different.” Santellan believes that welcoming and making every student feel like they belong at Campolindo is a group effort.
Alvarez also had some kind words for the non-English speaking students. He agrees with the fact that it may be hard for some students to learn a new language quickly. He shared, “I think that those challenges and those roadblocks are all individualized in terms of how fast you can acquire a new language and be successful with that language. So I want to make sure that our rules don’t get in the way of a student accelerating either faster or receiving more help in order to learn the language and be successful.”
Sophomore, Sofia Iakovleva is an EL student and she expressed her thoughts about the ELD class. She stated, “I like this class because my teacher can help me with any lesson because my English is not great and I understand better in that class than in other classes.” Iakovleva feels like she is accepted in the ELD class and she enjoys getting her work done with other EL students.
Efforts have been made to create an inclusive environment on campus and provide resources for students who are learning English. Even so, Campo is still working to improve their programs further and provide more support for EL students’ school experience.
