English Language Learners Program For Elementary Students

What is ELL?

In Federal Way schools, students who do not know English, or who need to improve their English in order to understand their school work, are enrolled in the English Language Learners (ELL) Program.

We provide ELL instruction in a researched-based structured immersion program. This means that ELL students attend school in their neighborhood schools with both English and non-English speaking students. In this way, different cultures can be shared, friendships formed and a sense of community developed. ELL students learn essential academic skills in standards-based classrooms. ELL English instruction is provided during the 90 minute reading block in guided reading groups, which are based on the language proficiency of the student.

Our teachers

The district makes sure that all teachers are familiarized with the latest research and instructional methodologies.

ELL teachers work in close collaboration with the student’s classroom teachers to teach ELL students, and all Federal Way students, subject matter that aligns with what we call “Grade Level Course Expectations”. These are simply the skills and knowledge a student should have by the end of each grade.

Registering your child for ELL services will include the following:

• Registration Packet – families are given a packet of information about our schools and forms that the school needs you to complete and return to provide emergency contact and other essential information about your student. Translators are available to help you complete these forms.
• Home language survey – families fill out a form that tells what languages are spoken at home.
• Oral Language Assessment Scale Standardized Test (LAS-0) – students are given a test to determine their English skills.
• Family interview on prior education and learning – families tell the staff how the student received an education before coming to Federal Way , including academic background and prior knowledge/experiences.
• Community Resources – our staff provides information about resources for families of our ELL students within the school district and in the community.

Our families

Our students’ families are encouraged to be involved in their child’s education, because research shows that academic achievement improves significantly when parents are involved in school and at home. Parents are encouraged to come to school throughout the year, meet and ask questions of their students’ teachers, and talk with their students about what they learn. The staff will give parents ideas for helping their students at home and will connect parents with school and community resources.

Ways that parents can be involved:

• Help teachers develop an academic profile for your students.
• Call the voice mail lines if you need help reporting absences or getting information from the schools. These lines are checked by interpreters at least twice a day :

Spanish: 253-945-2473
Russian: 253-945-2382
Korean: 253-945-2472

• Attend the Student Led Conferences.
• Check Reading and Writing Scope and Sequence Progress Reports.
• Attend community conversation classes.
• Contact interpreters for help when you are having trouble communicating with or understanding school staff.

For more information about the ELL program, please contact Judy Lemmel, K-12 Director for Teaching for Learning.