You walk into a class, and the words on the board just don’t click.
For many students whose first language is not English, that’s a common struggle. But a program dedicated to helping students who are learning a new language? Game changer. It’s the key to unlocking, understanding and swinging the doors open to success.
The English Language Learner (ELL) program offers students whose first language is not English a space where they can develop language skills before integrating into mainstream classes. However, despite the program’s efforts, students still face difficulties, both academically and socially, when adapting to the high school.
The ELL program is designed to provide a gradual approach to learning English while students continue taking mainstream classes, according to ELL teacher Katy Ouellette. Junior An-ni Liu, who has been in the ELL program for four years, said that the ELL program provides support, despite the gap that exists between ELL and mainstream classes.
“You still have to go to the normal English classes, but the program just helps you to learn English, step by step and slower,” Liu said.
Junior Johnny Xu began the program when he was a freshman and stayed in it for a year. He said that the ELL program was helpful in teaching him English.
“I think it’s a good way to bridge the gap,” Xu said. “Obviously English has been a challenge, especially as a freshman who just got to a new school.”
Ouellette said that adjusting to the high school may be hard at first, but the ELL program creates a comfortable environment.
“I think most students share with me the difficulty of finding connection and feeling outside of the English language program. Inside the English language program, they find a community there, people have like experiences, and there’s some comfort in that,” Oullette said.
Xu said that the ELL program helped him with larger gatherings early on.
“The teacher helped us a lot at school events such as the first X-block when we go and choose our clubs, and the teacher helped a lot because obviously as a new student and non-native speaker it can be a challenge,” Xu said.
Liu said that while the program helps with learning English, social interactions outside the classroom can be challenging. Ouellette said that more staffing and mental health resources could help to better support ELL students, many of whom face additional pressures beyond schoolwork.
“It would be really nice if we had our own social worker. We have wonderful social workers at the high school, but I think everyone agrees, we would love to have twice as many, just because there really is a need. From a mental health perspective, there’s like double the load, I think, that these students carry with them in many respects,” Ouellette said.
Ouellette emphasized that while adjusting to a new school and language can be challenging, students are not alone in the process. With the right support and opportunities, they can find their place in the community.
“There’s something for everyone in Brookline,” Ouellette said. “It just takes a while to weed through and find it.”
