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Academics » Bilingualism & EL

Bilingualism & EL

Since becoming Pennsylvania's first bilingual charter school in 1998, Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter has put thousands of students on the path toward life-long bilingualism.

Quality language learning is a major part of the well-rounded education that leads to the opportunities and abilities students need to thrive in the 21st century. While we accept students at all levels of second language learning, students are expected to read, write and speak in both languages upon graduation. ELs receive academic instruction in a dual language Spanish immersion model which has been central to our mission since the school was founded.
 
 

Dual Language Program

Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School prides itself in its Dual Language Program whose intended outcome is to graduate bilingual, bi-cognitive, bi-literate and multicultural students. Parents enrolling their children in the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School must complete a Home Language Survey.
 
Proficiency in two languages is deemed the most important mission of the Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School as this would provide our students with a decided advantage in today’s highly competitive global workplace.
 

English as a Second Language

Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School’s EL (English Learner ) Program serves students who are identified as English Learners (ELs). Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School uses the Home Language Survey and within thirty (30) days the WIDA ACCESS Placement Test (W-APT) screening will be administered to determine their placement. The goal of EL instruction is to foster students’ academic learning and social growth and provide opportunities for English language development.
 
EL instruction is an academic discipline designed to teach English Language Learners social and academic language skills, as well as the cultural aspects of the English language necessary to succeed in an academic environment. More information is available in the Hostos School Handbook.

Identification Process

  • When students enroll at Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School, they complete an application packet that includes a Home Language Survey (HLS) as required by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • Families also complete a form asking for all previous schools attended.
  • If a language other than English is indicated, student transcripts are reviewed, and the student’s previous school is contacted to determine whether the student is eligible for ELD services.
  • Parents/guardians are asked additional questions in their language to examine multiple criteria to determine if a formal assessment of the student’s English language proficiency is warranted.
  • If the school cannot determine whether or not services were previously received and there is no evidence of grades determining proficiency, or if this is the student’s first school experience in the United States, the W-APT (kindergarten)/WIDA Screener (1-12) is administered.
  • If students qualify for the LIEP, parents/guardians receive a placement letter indicating the language proficiency level of the student and that the student qualifies for services. Parents/guardians are also informed of the reclassification criteria to exit the program.
 
Below is the EL Manual for Eugenio Maria de Hostos Charter School and for detailed information about our language learning program and staff.
All new students are evaluated using the following Identification Process meant to determine their levels of language knowledge. This is part of the application packet and includes the Home Language Survey, a legally binding document and requirement by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.