The Roosevelt UFSD English as a New Language and Bilingual Education Department objective is to ensure that all English Language Learners (ELLs)/Multilingual Learners (MLLs) will acquire and develop English language proficiency through a rigorous curriculum, research-based teaching strategies, and social/emotional support that will provide integration into all school programs and services, and academic success; this will enable ELLs/MLLs the transition to become part of the culture of the United States of America and to develop the confidence to become a life-long learner who can actively contribute in their community.

El objetivo del Departamento de Inglés Como Nuevo Idioma y Bilingüe es asegurarse de que todos los estudiantes que están aprendiendo inglés obtengan las destrezas necesarias para obtener el dominio del idioma inglés.  Lograremos este objetivo con un currículo riguroso, y estrategias de enseñanza que de acuerdo a los estudios de investigación son muy exitosas para apoyar a los estudiantes social, emocional y educativamente. Esto ayudará a los estudiantes a tener una mejor transición a la cultura de los Estados Unidos y a desarrollar la confianza para convertirse en un miembro activo de la comunidad.

Instruction in this program, formerly known as English as a Second Language (ESL), emphasizes English language acquisition. In an ENL program, language arts and content-area instruction are taught in English using specific ENL instructional strategies. Some content area classes are integrated classes.  Students receive core content area and English language development instruction, including the use of the home/primary language as support and appropriate English Language Learner instructional supports to enrich comprehension. Integrated ENL classes are taught by a teacher dually certified in the content area and ENL or are co-taught by a certified content area teacher and a certified ENL teacher. In a Stand-alone ENL class, students receive English language development instruction taught by a NYS-certified teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) in order to acquire the English language needed for success in core content areas. This program typically serves English Language Learners from many different home/primary language backgrounds whose only common language is English and therefore cannot participate in a bilingual program.

Transitional Bilingual Education (TBE) programs offer students of the same home language the opportunity to learn to speak, understand, read, and write in English while continuing to learn academic content in their home language. The student’s home language is used to help them progress academically in all content areas while they acquire English.

The goal of a TBE Program is to provide students with the opportunity to transition to a monolingual English classroom setting without additional support once they reach proficiency. Even though the amount of English instruction students receive will increase over time, in a TBE program, there will always be home language instruction/support allowing students the opportunity to develop bilingually.

In alignment with our Roosevelt School District Strategic Plan, our Office of ENL/Bilingual Programs & World Languages K-12  under the direction of the Curriculum and Instruction Department works collaboratively with our professionals to implement instructional practices that are culturally responsive and engaging for every student within our classrooms.  We seek to establish a strong context for learning that includes multicultural and rigorous educational opportunities, and relevant experiences that connect and honor each scholar's heritage and culture. At Roosevelt, we believe that language and culture learning are lifelong experiences necessary for our linguistically diverse learners to become globally ready!