English Language Learners (ELL) Program
Elementary ELL Program
The school environment contains many different and varying teaching methods. The KIA English Language Learner [ELL] Elementary Program involves the use of inclusion and co-teaching within the lower elementary Language Arts subjects. Inclusion is where ELL students stay in their main classroom and ELL teachers come to them. In the upper elementary, the ELL students are involved in a pullout program. Pullout is where ELL students go to the ELL classroom for instruction. Both inclusion and pullout are used to more effectively reach students in the language process. At KIA, English Language Learners are both native and nonnative speakers who fall along the learning spectrum. The ELL program will continue to reach students at their learning levels and make the necessary adaptations to more adequately meet English Language needs.
Secondary ELL Program
More than 20 different nationalities are represented at Kunming International Academy. To facilitate the secondary students having the opportunity to learn English as a second, third, or sometimes fourth language, KIA has an English Language Learner (ELL) program. The program consists of English Language Learning classes that replace regular English classes and Content Language Support (CLS) classes that reinforce the acquisition of new English Language vocabulary, particularly in the areas of science and humanities. Based on an assessment prior to acceptance at KIA, English Language levels are determined and students are placed in one or both types of classes. As the students’ English language learning progresses, they transition into taking only CLS, and then exit the program after reaching the appropriate English level.
Extension Services Program (ESP)
The Extension Services Program aims to provide educational support to meet the needs of homeschooling families in Kunming and in the wider Yunnan Province. The program was developed based on the results of a need based assessment survey administered to homeschooling families. The Extension Services Program offers families, of children who are homeschooled, support with the task of educating their children. The is accomplished through many venues including the use of the KIA/ESP Library, the Scholastic Book Club and the computer lab. In addition, the services of educational consulting, home visits, homeschooling classes, tutoring, and academic testing are made available. The program will further serve students in remote areas by providing a modular school group that will meet in their area one week out of each month. The program not only provides academic support, but it strives to meet social and physical needs of students as well. Students are able to join full-time KIA students for chapel services, on sports teams, participating in extra-curricular events, attending class meetings and going on some field trips. The ability to socialize with other students in an academic environment brings balance to the homeschooler’s educational process. For more information, contact Emma Binder at emma.binder@kia-china.org.
