Non-native English speakers are assessed upon admission to AISB and are placed in the English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program if they will require language learning support for academic success.

The ESOL program develops students’ basic language skills and enables them to participate fully and with success in the mainstream classroom. AISB’s ESOL department maintains a warm, supportive and upbeat learning environment that fosters students’ independence and fearless language learning.

The ESOL department also supports classroom teachers in developing differentiated curriculum to meet the particular needs of English language learners.

Elementary students in the program receive added support provided by an ESOL teacher or teaching assistant in their mainstream class. Secondary students in the program attend ESOL classes multiple times a week, and may also receive added in-class support from an ESOL teacher. Academic support for language learners is also provided after school.

The decision to exit a student from the ESOL program is based on a range of assessments and each student’s particular learning context, and takes into account students’ performance in their mainstream classes as well as their ESOL class.