English Learners
At Manoa School, "Giving Life to Learning" is all about supporting English Learners who have joined us from other countries and/or speak a second language. Here’s how we give life to learning and show aloha, and make sure these students feel right at home:
- Educate the Whole Child: We’re here to help students build confidence and succeed in all areas—academics, social skills, emotional growth, and physical development. For our new English Learners, this means offering personalized support to help them adjust and excel in their new environment.
- Help Them Become Lifelong Learners: We want every student to reach their full potential and be active, engaged members of our community. For those new to our school, this means helping them build language skills and adapt to new cultural norms, setting them up for lifelong learning.
- Customize Our Support: We know every student has their own unique needs and learning styles. We make sure to offer caring and flexible support that fits each English Learner, creating a positive and welcoming experience.
- Work Together: We team up with students, their families, and the school community to build a strong support network. By connecting with families and community members, we help our new students feel welcomed and supported as they settle in.
- Create a Safe and Caring Space: We provide a secure and nurturing environment where students feel valued and confident. Our goal is to make sure every English Learner feels comfortable and supported as they start their journey with us.
At Manoa School, all educators are teachers of language. We take clear, thoughtful actions in our teaching to support English Learners. Our goal is to help them succeed academically and grow personally, all while showing the true spirit of aloha in everything we do.
The state of Hawaii adopted the WIDA English Language Development (ELD) Standards to help English Learners. These standards, adopted by the State Board of Education on May 21, 2009, guide teachers in creating lessons that mix learning English with learning other subjects.
The WIDA ELD Standards focus on key areas of language: social - talking with others, academic - learning in class, and instructional - understanding school materials. They help teachers connect learning English with school subjects and make sure students get the support they need to do well.
The five WIDA Standards for English Learners are:
Standard 1 – Social and Instructional Language
- English language learners communicate for social and instructional purposes within the school setting.
Standard 2 – Language for Language Arts
- English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of language arts.
Standard 3 – Language for Mathematics
- English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of mathematics.
Standard 4 – Language for Science
- English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of science.
Standard 5 – Language for Social Studies
- English language learners communicate information, ideas and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of social studies.
The HIDOE EL/Title III Program has outlined important responsibilities and accountabilities that move from the state level to complex areas and individual schools. The English Learner Tri-Level Supports document explains what is expected at each level: state, complex areas, and schools.