English as a Second Language
Philosophy: The English as a Second Language Department welcomes students from all around the world who wish to improve their English skills in the setting of an American school. Each student’s individual English skills are assessed as they enter the program, and they are placed at an appropriate level for ESL instruction. ESL classes are offered at the Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced levels. Academic support classes are also offered to international students, so that they might have a more successful transition to academic life in the U.S.
The department places much emphasis on the development of the four core language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. An integrated approach to the development of these skills, as well as a variety of pedagogical approaches, is used. ESL courses at AOA are also highly cross-curricular, in that English is taught in conjunction with either world history and cultures, or American history and culture.
The department’s end goal for each student is that they may develop native-like fluency in English, leading to academic and social self-reliance at AOA, in the United States, and in our larger global community.
Intermediate English as a Second Language
This double-period course is required of middle and upper school students who are at an intermediate level of English proficiency. This course replaces the mainstream English language arts class at the particular student’s grade level. Literary selections include a multicultural focus to reinforce material explored in the Middle and Upper Schools World History curricula. The course emphasizes fundamental composition skills, including sentence, paragraph, and expository essay writing, as well as the development of vocabulary, grammar, and oral/aural skills.
Advanced English as a Second Language
This double-period course is required of middle and upper school students who are at an advanced level of English proficiency. This course replaces the mainstream English language arts class at the particular student’s grade level. Literary selections include a focus on U.S. History to reinforce themes addressed in the middle and upper school U.S. History curricula. The course emphasizes a variety of essay modes such as expository, comparison and contrast, and persuasive. The course also stresses the development of vocabulary, grammar, and oral/aural skills.
Academic Support
ESL Academic Support is required for every Middle and Upper School international student who has not achieved a minimum SLEP score of 58, a CBT TOEFL score of 213, or a paper TOEFL score of 550. The course is offered as a non-credit elective to students who have exited the ESL program but feel they can benefit from extra academic support. The goal of the class is to support international students as they adjust to a mainstream curriculum at AOA. Classes are offered two to three days per week, depending on the individual’s academic independence and readiness.
TOEFL Preparation
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) preparation is offered as an elective to juniors and seniors who aim to improve test scores related to the university application process. The course focuses on grammar, essay writing, and vocabulary as well as standardized test-taking skills. The course is offered on Saturdays only (additional fee required.)
SAT Preparation
SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) preparation is offered to ESL/international students at the junior or senior grade level who aim to improve their SAT scores related to the university application process. The course focuses on the verbal section of the test and includes vocabulary and reading strategies along with general test-taking skills. This course is offered on Saturdays only (additional fee required.)