Watertown Public Schools

30 Common Street, Watertown MA 02472

English Language Learner Program

Watertown Public Schools > Departments > ESL

Overview of Program for English Language Learners

The Watertown Public Schools has a comprehensive educational program for English language learners. The goal of this program is to provide students with the skills to function successfully in an English speaking environment.

There are basically two components to how English language learners are educated in the school district. The first component is English language development (ELD). ELD instruction develops proficiency in speaking, listening, reading and writing in social and academic settings. The English as a Second Language (ESL) Program is responsible for ELD instruction. Teachers holding ESL licenses teach ELD to English language learners in the Watertown Public Schools.

The second component of how English language learners are educated in Watertown Public Schools involves sheltered English instruction (SEI). SEI is taught by classroom and content teachers in the regular education program who have the knowledge and skills to teach English language learners effectively. Professional development in SEI is offered to all teachers and administrators in the school district.

SEI is an approach for helping English language learners learn required subject matter such as science, social studies, mathematics and language arts while at the same time promoting their language development. In a SEI classroom, teachers implement numerous instructional approaches that are effective for English language learners. These instructional approaches include learning strategies, graphic organizers, visuals, technology and making connections between students' prior knowledge and subject matter. Students work with grade-level textbooks in addition to instructional materials designed for English language learners.

ESL Program at Watertown High School

At Watertown High School, students are placed in beginning, intermediate or advanced ESL classes depending on their English proficiency level. There are social studies and language arts courses specifically designed to promote students' English language development. English language learners are placed in mainstream content classes such as mathematics and science. ESL support is provided in some of the mainstream subject-matter classes.

ESL Program at Watertown Middle School
[Click here to access ESL Middlle School Teacher website]

At Watertown Middle School, English language learners and English proficient students are integrated for instruction in content classes such as mathematics, science, social studies and language arts. Some of these classes are co-taught by ESL teachers and content teachers. There are also separate classes for English language learners to help them with language development and academic assignments.

ESL Program at Cunniff, Hosmer and Lowell Elementary Schools

At the Cunniff, Hosmer and Lowell elementary schools, English language learners are placed in regular grade-level classrooms with English proficient students. ESL teachers work collaboratively with classroom teachers to provide instructional assistance to students. English language learners may be instructed in a small group or in a separate classroom for part of the day. However, English language learners spend most of the day in grade-level classrooms.

ESL Staff
Danika Hodges Cunniff School
Lauren Harrison Hosmer School
Heidi Baildon Hosmer School
Michael Murphy Hosmer School
Miriam Shenitzer Hosmer School
Bethan Nazzaro Lowell School
Mary Horrigan Lowell School
Melissa Ginsberg Watertown Middle School
Judith Powers Watertown Middle School
Sheila Gilmartin Watertown Middle School
Elizabeth Wissler Watertown High School
Siran Tamakian Watertown High School
Nyssa Patten Watertown High School