English Language Education Program

Marta Guevara
Student Services Administrator
(413) 362-1859
guevaram@arps.org

Office Staff

• Renata S. Pienkawa, ELE Program Liaison
  (413) 362-1832
• Mildred Martinez, Administrative Assistant
  362-1871
  

General Information

In the Amherst Public and Amherst Pelham Regional Schools, there are students from over 25 different language groups who are learning English as a new language. The most common languages spoken, in alphabetical order, are: Cape Verde/Creole, Chinese, Khmer, Korean, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

A range of instructional programs are provided to support English Language Learners to learn English and academic content and be active members of our school community.

Students’ language learning needs are determined through the use of standardized and authentic assessments.  These are administered upon enrollment, annually, and at transfer from the program. Staff from the English Language Learners Program provide these assessments and do so in compliance with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s regulations about educating English Language Learners.

In our elementary schools, there are a large number of Cambodian, Korean, Mandarin, and Spanish speaking English Language Learners. Many but not all of these students attend certain schools: so many of our Khmer speaking ELLs attend Fort River School while some Korean speaking ELLs are at Mark’s Meadow School.  Many Mandarin speaking ELLs are at Wildwood School while a large number of our Spanish speaking ELLs are at Crocker Farm School.  Each school has highly qualified staff that is familiar with the techniques of sheltered English instruction and students’ cultural, linguistic, and academic experiences.

Using the principles and practices of sheltered English immersion, students are provided with instruction for English Language Learners and clarification in the native language when needed to learn subject matter. The level of instruction in English and amount of clarification in the native language is determined by a student’s proficiency in English. Students transition from the ELL Program in a carefully planned sequence and are monitored, according to state regulations, for a period of two years upon their transfer from the program.