We at AISB-Hope International believe that all teachers—both homeroom and content area—are English as an Additional Language (EAL) teachers. With a student body approaching 60% non-native English speakers, AISB-Hope International recognizes and embraces its unique position as an EAL-oriented school. Therefore, a key component of AISB-Hope International is the English Plus program.

Primarily, English Plus supports English language learners (ELLs) as they endeavor to acquire the English language proficiency needed to access the school’s rigorous, standards-based American curriculum. At the same time, English Plus supports ELLs as they access course content and transition toward more independent learning. However, the services English Plus offers are not limited exclusively to ELLs.

English Plus strives to meet the educational requirements of all students including those with special learning needs. English Plus achieves its goals through a multifaceted approach that uses a combination of specialized, targeted, intensive English classes, pull-in and pull-out support in the homeroom, and ongoing teacher coaching and mentoring, education, and professional development opportunities.

English Plus teachers work with homeroom and subject teachers to support learning in the classroom and use data to inform instruction. We have witnessed amazing learning growth over the years.

The English Plus department cooperates with homeroom and subject teachers by conducting schoolwide professional development workshops that promote language learning theory. Therefore, all teachers can apply language learning strategies to create meaningful and authentic learning experiences that reflect current research and best practices. For example, the department led a session called “The EAL Experience” which aimed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of an ELL’s thoughts and emotions when encountering otherwise familiar content presented in an unfamiliar language and cultural context. Teachers discussed ways to better integrate the student’s existing content knowledge and home culture with the curriculum, instruction, and assessment in order to bridge the gap between the student’s first language and the English language still being acquired.

We also love to hear what students themselves say about the program. A student in grade eight this year said, “English Plus helps to improve my homework because teachers help to make grammar correct and teach me a better way. Moreover, I learned how to write essay. I learned to structure of essay and how it fix it at last. English Plus gives me a chance to speak English.”

English Plus has also supported high school students as they meet the demands of high school education.

English Plus uses different assessment methods to collect data on student learning in order to track progress, inform instruction, make curriculum decisions, and set targets for students. One way is by using the WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) which is a series of English language proficiency assessments for Kindergarten through Grade 12. Teachers use the WIDA Standards Framework to meet social and instructional language demands in the classroom as well as core subject language development.

In 2021, the department developed and implemented the Personalized English Learning Plan (PELP) to be used for each English Plus student. The PELP is a designed to be a living document that is used throughout the year for teachers to see a student’s “language story” and how they are developing over time. Teachers, students. and parents are all part of developing this plan as we know that greater learning happens when schools and families work together.

The teachers of the English Plus department are eminently qualified to support student learning and teacher professional development. All teachers in the English Plus department have earned master’s degrees or above in education, curriculum and instruction, EAL education, and/or special education support. Some English Plus teachers have earned multiple postgraduate degrees or certificates and have decades of experience in international education. AISB-Hope International is well-positioned to equip your child with both traditional and 21st century literacies.

To contact us for more information about our school and our English Plus program, please scan one of the QR codes.