by: Birukti, Ethiopia

Department of Multilingual Education

The Malden Public Schools has a diverse population and currently services students from a variety of countries including Brazil, China, Haiti, India, Korea, Laos, Portugal, Vietnam, several Arabic speaking countries, Africa, and several Spanish-speaking countries.

The Malden Public Schools is committed to offering the highest quality of educational services to all students, including English language learners. The Department of Multilingual Education administers programs for English language learners with the goal of developing English language proficiency and achieving state content-area standards, while simultaneously valuing their native languages and cultural backgrounds.

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Mission

The mission of the Malden Public Schools’ programs for English language learners is to enable students of limited English proficiency to develop the linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and self-concept skills necessary for success in the Malden Public Schools and beyond. The students will accomplish this development in an atmosphere of understanding, cooperation, and support.

Educational Philosophy

English language learners required the ability to understand, speak, read, and write English with near native fluency to realize their potential within the English speaking society.

• • The most successful programs are those that develop a positive self-concept in each student, while they continue to develop their English proficiency.

by: Andy, China

• Teachers should have high expectations of all students, regardless of the students’ background or academic preparation.
• Teachers must help students in adjusting to cultural, language, and attitudinal differences.
• Students in heterogeneous groupings learn from each other as well as from the teacher.
• The ability to speak more than one language is a valuable asset, and one that should be recognized as such.

Benefits of Knowing Two Languages

Malden Public Schools’ programs for English language learners promote mastery of the English language in a culturally and linguistically sensitive environment. However, it is important not to neglect a students’ first language. Continuing to develop native language at home does not interfere with English language acquisition. In fact, the research shows that it helps the process of learning English.

There are many benefits of knowing more than one language. Economically, there is an increased demand for bilingual employees throughout the world. Socially, the United States is a diverse society with many languages and cultures represented. In addition, research shows that knowing more than one language increases a person’s thinking abilities. Bilingual students have greater cognitive flexibility, and that flexibility can transfer into academic success.

Structured English Immersion Program K-8

by:  Soune, Haiti

Students in grades K-8 who are at the entering and beginning stages of of English language development will be placed in self-contained English immersion classrooms with other newcomer students. This program is located at the Salemwood School. The Ferryway and Beebe Schools also have programs for newcomer students in Kindergarten.  All students in the newcomer classes are English learners. The teachers in the newcomer classrooms hold teaching certificates in general education as well as English as a Second Language.   Materials are specifically selected to accelerate English language learning. Teachers make use of strategies that sheltered the content instruction so that students are learning content but also learning English.

Students who are at the developing and expanding levels in English will be placed in an integrated structured English immersion program. The class composition is a mix of English Learners and native English speakers.  Students will receive English language development support from a licensed ESL teacher.  Additionally, classroom teachers have completed, or will complete, professional training to work with English learners.  Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners (RETELL) are classes to support content teachers with differentiating their instruction to meet the needs of all levels of English Learners.

Malden High School Offerings

English Learners at Malden High School receive two periods each day for English as a second language instruction. Newcomer students might also receive a United States history and science class specifically designed to meet the needs of students at the entering and beginning stages of of English language development.

by:  Andrea, Dominican Republic

The teacher is certified to teach students who are learning English as a second language. Five levels of ESL are provided at the high school.  Additionally, classroom teachers have completed, or will complete, professional training to work with English learners.  Rethinking Equity and Teaching for English Language Learners (RETELL) are classes to support content teachers with differentiating their instruction to meet the needs of all levels of English Learners.