English as a Second Language

Introduction

For more than a decade, North Vancouver School District has undergone a period of rapid growth in the numbers of English as a Second Language (ESL) students requiring specialized service. This rapid growth has often called for immediate response to accelerating demand, instead of deep and thorough deliberation.

We have now entered a plateau period where rapid growth has levelled off, at least temporarily. With this levelling, the time for consolidation and reexamination of existing structures has arrived. Many of the structures currently in place are sound and, with some renovation, will be adequate for the future. Others will need to be refashioned.

The delivery model for ESL programs and services comes from two sources. They are:

• the Recommendations of the North Vancouver School District ESL Working Committee 
• new documents from the Ministry of Education concerning ESL programming and instruction, including:

  Why ESL services and programs are important

  Our School District values a diversity of educational programs to assure both equity and success for all learners. Equity and success for ESL learners in our school system depend upon additional services from ESL Specialists, which address the needs of students in the following areas:

  Our ESL Philosophy embraces the following provincial Principles of Learning:

  It embraces all of the following District Values:

  It recognizes that:
• English as a Second Language Policy Framework
• English as a Second Language Policy Guidelines
• ESL Learners: A Guide for ESL Specialists
• ESL Learners: A Guide for Classroom Teachers
• English as a Second Language Standards. 
• English language acquisition
• intellectual development
• cultural acclimatization (acculturation)
• social development and citizenship
• respect and self-worth Philosophy of ESL instruction.
• Learning requires the active participation of the student
• People learn in a variety of ways and at different rates
• Learning is both an individual and group process.
• the centrality of learning and teaching
• high standards of excellence and accountability
• success for all learners
• a diversity of educational programs
• community involvement
• collaboration and collegiality
• equity for all
• stability
• innovation and creativity
• democratic governance.
• all students are unique and valued
• all students deserve a safe, secure, welcoming learning environment that:  
• respects individual differences
• accommodates individual learning needs
• works to eliminate racism
• values diversity in linguistic and cultural heritage
• all students need to be challenged at their own level
• all students have the right to strive toward their maximum potential and to experience success in their own way.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS)

To help newcomer students and their families settle into their school and community, North Vancouver School District has established a school-based outreach program called Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS).  Click here for more information