Welcome to ESL, or English as a Second Language.  This is a class provided to all of our students who come to us from different countries or who speak a language other than English at home.  In ESL class, we work on speaking in English, everyday vocabulary, reading, writing, spelling, and sometimes even math, science, and social studies.  Trying to learn a new language and understand what you are learning in school is a very difficult challenge.  Our goal is to help all ESL students learn to speak English and feel comfortable in school and in the culture as quickly as possible so they can be very successful.

Who are our ESL students?

This year at Sedalia, we have around 50 ESL students representing 12 different languages and 19 different countries!  We are very fortunate to have so much diversity in our school.  We can learn a lot about other countries and cultures from our students!

What are some of the countries our ESL students represent?

We have ESL students in every grade at Sedalia, and they or their families come from such places as Mexico, El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Laos, Nicaragua, Columbia, Guatemala, Kazakhstan, Mauritania, Cameroon, Eritrea, Nigeria, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast, Burkina-Faso, Senegal, the Democratic Repulic of Congo, Vietnam, and Pakistan.

What languages do our ESL students speak?

Our students speak such languages as Spanish, Russian, French, Wolof, Tigrina, Yoruba, Amharic, Pular, Fulani, Oromo, Urdu, and Vietnamese
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January 2012

In these next few weeks, all English Language Learners are required to take the OTELA (Ohio Test of English Language Acquisition).  This test measures progress in English in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking.  We will receive the results of this state test in May, and you will receive a copy of your test scores.  Students who score a composite of "5" on the test will be exited from ESL service for the next school year.  Those who receive a composite of "4" will be considered "Trial Mainstream" next year, which means that they will not receive ESL service but we will continue to monitor their progress to make sure they are still doing well in their regular classes.