English as a New Language
Long Beach Public Schools welcomes students, and their families, who are English Language Learners (ELLs) and the richness that they bring to our school community.
The English as a New Language (ENL) Program is a state mandated program that is offered to all students from K-12 who exhibit limited English skills. Upon registering in our school district, parents will fill out a Home Language Questionnaire which will be reviewed by our ENL staff. If deemed necessary, students will then be interviewed and/or screened with the NYSITELL to see if they qualify for services.
The Department of ENL is committed to providing our students with the nurturing and supportive environment needed for them to grow and learn. We believe that language learning is a process and that all students deserve equitable access to the content of their classes therefore our goal is to work together to ensure that English Language Learners are receiving meaningful instruction that allows them to learn English as well as new content.
Our ENL program is designed to support all of our English Language Learners (ELL) at every stage of language acquisition. The ENL program is delivered through a stand-alone and/or an integrated ENL component. During stand-alone ENL, students that are in the beginning stages of acquiring the English language work in small groups with an ENL teacher to build basic vocabulary, literacy and communication skills. During the integrated component, ENL teachers co-teach with classroom teachers at the elementary level or with content area teachers at the secondary level to ensure student access to the curriculum.
World Languages
“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” - Frank Smith
The World Languages Department is committed to ensuring equity and access for all students through programs that promote language proficiency, social development, and cross-cultural understanding. We strive to nurture each student’s growth by providing a supportive environment where they can reach their full potential. Our curriculum offers diverse and meaningful learning experiences that prepare students to become forward-thinking global citizens who value and respect diverse perspectives.
Knowledge of more than one language empowers individuals by opening economic and social opportunities. Language learning allows us to bridge cultural barriers and promote ways of interpreting our diverse world while stimulating intellectual curiosity.
Long Beach students begin their language studies in third grade with Spanish, continuing through fifth grade. At the end of fifth grade, they may choose to continue with Spanish or begin studying French in sixth grade.
By the end of eighth grade, students take the Checkpoint A exam and earn one high school credit toward their Regents Diploma. In tenth grade, or ninth grade for students enrolled in Spanish Native Language Arts, they take the Checkpoint B exam, earning two additional high school credits toward their Advanced Regents Diploma. To receive credit, students must pass each Checkpoint exam with a score of 65 or higher, for a total of three Regents credits by the end of tenth grade.
Our thematic, communicative curriculum is aligned with the IB Middle Years Program, the IB Diploma Program, and the NYSED World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages. Most students continue their World Language studies through senior year to fulfill the requirements for the Seal of Biliteracy, the IB Diploma, and the World Language Honor Society.
World Languages
- Spanish at the Elementary level in all schools grades 3-5
- World Languages 6-8 in French and Spanish
- World Languages 9-12 in French, Italian and Spanish
- Native Spanish Language classes 9-12