Imagine not being able to express all the wonderful ideas running around your head. That brilliant pun would go unspoken, that clever literary insight would fade into the ether. This is a challenge faced by around 10% of all students in American public schools who do not speak English fluently*. It can be an incredibly frustrating and alienating experience. ELL, or English Language Learners, is a program instituted in schools across the country that helps students with a variety of different primary languages develop proficiency in English.  This year, Lynn van der Put, a new addition to the LSHS staff, has been working with our ELL students. Van der Put has come prepared for her new position, having spent the last two years subbing for ELL and other language classes and even spent a stint abroad in Holland teaching English as a foreign language.

This year, unlike in years past, she will be working with two ELL classes. “It was needed; it’s much easier to teach to everyone’s needs when you have one group that you’re teaching more the introduction to English and the other one you can work on more academic English. I think it’s definitely much easier, and I think it’s more beneficial to the students to have it” van der Put said.

There are 27 students enrolled in the LSHS ELL program this year. The majority of these students are in the intermediate class this year leaving just a handful in the beginners. This setup is extremely helpful as it allows van der Put to devote much more time and attention to those who need it the most.

Speaking with two students involved in the program, the consensus is overwhelmingly positive. Miriama Konteh, a sophomore in the advanced class, describes van der Put as “so kind and so nice”. Konteh attended Cavelero last year.comes to us this year from Cavelero’s ELL program which is run by Mrs. Fredin. She’s pretty confident with spoken English and is hoping this year to work on writing essays and mastering the dreaded CSE.

Edith (Noemy) Cardoza Caldera, a junior in the program, seconds Konteh’s description of vVan Der Put and Dell. Originally from El Salvador South America, Cardoza comes from a home where “It’s Spanish all the time”. She entered the program just last year speaking almost no English, and, though she still finds speaking English a little nerve-wracking, she has made terrific progress. Cardoza is very happy with the class this year. “I think it’s better [with] a small class. Because you learn more than when you have all the people. You learn more with small,” Cardoza said. This year Cardoza’s class has only 6 students; a near 80% decrease from last year.  

Within van der Put’s classes, the environment is similar to other language classes, with games, discussions and stories being used to teach the key concepts and provide immersion into the English language. This kind of learning environment is in keeping with the L method, the system which was recently adopted by our entire foreign language department.  

The goal in her class really is to serve the students in whatever way she can. Van der Put is not alone in her goal; she is aided by  Andrea Dell, a paraeducator who works one-on-one with the students, going with them to their other classes  as needed to help interpret and assist in their learning. Between the two of them, they have set up a network of support for these students to help them succeed, not only in learning English, but in the rest of their educational career as well.

Lucky for us, it seems that both van der Put and Dell are very happy doing the crucial work they are doing. For van der Put the class is extremely fulfilling as well as fun.

“For me it’s the most meaningful thing you can do, help them be successful. Anything that’s going to help them succeed and contribute to society and have a good life. I see it as being very meaningful. Plus they’re fun.” said van der Put.

Dell singled out the students as her favorite part of the program. “I like getting to work with the same students over an extended period of time; you can see their language grow,” Dell said.

The ELL program is a beneficial and crucial program for all involved. The creation of these two separate classes is receiving great reviews.