A Learning Experience In Any Language At Westfield Schools

By Lorre Korecky

Students in the Westfield Public School’s English Language Learners (ELL) summer program enhanced their study of English with activities in and out of the classroom.

One of their favorite outings was to the Westfield Fire Department, where the children met Firefighter Craig Manning and observed the station’s functions firsthand.

In preparation of the guided tour, the students learned vocabulary associated with emergency response systems and crafted several questions. The twelve participants in the extended school year program are from six countries:

• China
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Russia
• Germany
• Switzerland
  

They will enter Westfield’s first, second, or third grades in the fall. This summer, the federally-funded program was taught by Westfield ESL teacher Maggie Gonzalez and student teacher Elizabeth Fredas.

“The major focus of the program is to ensure that students are continuing to grow in their English language acquisition throughout the summer and are given opportunities to understand the various roles the many members of any vibrant community play,” explained the District Supervisor of World Languages and ELL, David Greer.

In addition to being welcomed at the Westfield Fire House, the students toured the operations within the town’s Post Office. They also experienced a day at the Newark Museum, where they learned about the importance of preserving cultural artifacts.