Multilingual Learners

Dr. Barbie Esquijarosa
Director of Multilingual Learners
Office of Academic Achievement
Marietta City Schools
Email | 770-422-3500 ext. 7228

ESOL

The goal of the ESOL program at Marietta City Schools is to increase both English language proficiency (ELP) and academic proficiency in content areas so that students achieve academic success. We focus on collaboration and shared accountability for the success of all students within the ESOL program. Please contact the ESOL Lead at your student's school if you have any questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is ESOL?

ESOL stands for English to Speakers of Other Languages. The ESOL program provides English language development for multilingual students who qualify for the program. Students are provided instruction in the domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing within the content areas of English Language Arts, Math, Science, or Social Studies. These services are based on a student's English proficiency level and are provided through sheltered, push-in, or innovative models of instruction.

How did my child qualify for ESOL?

How can my child exit ESOL?

During the spring, ESOL students participate in the WIDA ACCESS language assessment. The WIDA ACCESS tests student's language abilities within the four domains of listening, reading, writing, and speaking using content area topics. The language domain scores combine into a composite score (CPL). If a student obtains an overall composite score of 5.0, they will automatically exit the ESOL program because they no longer require ESOL services. If the student obtains an overall composite score between 4.3 through 4.9, then the student's teachers meet with administration to determine if the student should be reclassified. If a student is reclassified, this means that the student has achieved enough English proficiency to exit the ESOL program. If during the meetings the teachers and administration determine the student is not yet fully proficient in English and is still in need of ESOL services, then the student will not be reclassified and will not exit the ESOL program.

How can I help my child?

Encourage their multilingual language abilities.
Make sure your child is completing their school work by asking them about it, checking homework, and checking Aspen weekly for class progress.
Make sure your child is getting enough sleep at night.
Participate in school programs and events.
Attend parent/teacher conferences and school-wide parent nights.
Contact your child’s teacher with any questions.
Become an active member of the PTA.

ESOL Leads

A.L. Burruss Elementary	Stephanie Alston
Dunleith Elementary	Wendi Flores
Hickory Hills Elementary	Audrey Dominguez
	Vilma Thomas
Lockheed Elementary	Emily Ovalle
	Alicia Petus-Bilal
Park Street Elementary	Ann Rakestraw
Sawyer Road Elementary	Lydia Spruill
West Side Elementary	Michelle Fahey
Marietta Center for Advanced Academics	Ayana Oden
Marietta Sixth Grade Academy	Jasmine Beck
Marietta Middle School	Madalyn Sams
	Christy Stanley
Marietta High School	D'Onna Burley
	Kathy Swallow

Dual Language Immersion

The Dual Language Immersion program provides students the unique opportunity to engage in academic activities in English and Spanish. Students spend 50% of their instructional day in each language. Our highly qualified teachers receive specialized training and support. Our School Governance Team works to dedicate an amount of yearly charter funds to help purchase high-quality bilingual resources. DLI is only offered at Dunleith Elementary.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dual Language Immersion?

Dual Language Immersion (DLI) provides an opportunity for students to learn academic content and develop writing, reading, and communication skills in Spanish. The goals of the program are for the students to develop literacy and academic skills in both English and the target language while simultaneously enhancing cognitive skills, increasing cultural sensitivity and preparing them with a global experience.

What does DLI look like in the classroom?

Instruction is divided between two classrooms with highly qualified teachers in content and language instruction: one English and one target language. Fifty percent of the academic day is taught in English and fifty percent of the academic day is taught in the target language.

The English-speaking teacher uses half of the instructional day to teach English Language Arts, literacy, phonics, and content area support. The immersion teacher uses the other half of the day to teach math, science, social studies, phonics in and literacy in the target language. Teachers are trained in the use of instructional strategies that promote language learning and academic development.

What are class sizes like in the DLI program?

What are the long term benefits of DLI?

How will you measure the success of the DLI program?

Will my child be fluent after 5th grade?

Will we have to remain in the program once my child is accepted?

If my child already speaks the target language, can they still participate in DLI?

Yes! Research has shown that English Language Learners do very well in the DLI program and it can help them to gain English language skills at a faster rate. Additionally, many English Language Learning students are able to speak in another language, but they are not able to read and write in that language. The DLI program will help students that already speak the language become bi-literate as well as bilingual.