New things are happening here at MHS, the latest being an after-school ELL tutoring program. The program offers ELL students access to help in subjects ranging from history, computer literacy, ELA, to biology. Their first week was a success and the students look forward to continuing in the program.
This club has been offered in previous years as well and the advisers, Christine Day and Jessica Haralson, took brief time off from meeting last year due to other commitments but they have recently started up again.
Teachers are able to refer their students for this program by completing a referral sheet online and submitting it for consideration. Students can even drop in without a referral, but it is easier to determine the best way to help them through a referral sheet with a written understanding of their problem areas.
There is a variety of MHS teachers available to help those in need from Tuesday to Friday every week. Sessions begin directly after school for any ELL student, whether they are current or former. After teachers fill out the form to refer their student they are contacted by a tutor to schedule a time with the student.
Paired with the ELL tutoring program is the ESL Club which meets on Tuesdays after school in co-adviser Haralson’s room (BR490). Haralson expressed that the goal of ESL club is “to provide a safe, welcoming space for English language learners to meet, practice English, and organize social activities outside of school. Generally, their meetings are “relatively informal,” explained Haralson.
The club plans various fun activities to experience together inside and outside of school. Members can propose any ideas they have and the club will make decisions as a team, voting for the events they wish to partake in. Their plans can vary from activities such as a movie night to a day of ice skating at Frog Pond in the Boston Commons. After they do their planning, students are welcome to stay for extra help on homework. They are also able to stay and play board games and simply socialize with friends in a “safe environment,” as described by Haralson.
Both Day and Haralson have share a great passion for “giving students authentic opportunities to practice English and strengthen their ties to Malden High School with supportive mentors who understand the unique challenges of learning a new language,” stated Haralson.
The ESL Club and the ELL tutoring program are helpful groups for ELL students to join as a way to involve themselves in the community. Teachers with ELL students should contact Day or Haralson in order to recommend their student for tutoring help.
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