By Shona Ganguly
Senior Writer

English Language Development (ELD) is a program that teaches students the English language. Students in ELD gain proficiency in the language so that they can converse and participate comfortably in their academic classes.

ELD was originally called English as a Second Language (ESL), but the program’s name was changed at the state level because ESL was not considered politically correct.

The purpose of ELD is to test new students’ level of English fluency and ensure that they are comfortable enough in English not to fall behind in classes due to language barriers.

“We have classes to teach English to foreign students. We are focusing directly on teaching English whereas if they went straight to English class there would be no one to help them,” said Emily Goodheart, teacher and ELD coordinator.
ELD tests students with the California English Language Proficiency Test, which is given to all new students whose first language is not English. If the test shows that a student needs the ELD program, he or she is placed by their level of proficiency: Beginning 1, Beginning 2, Intermediate or Advanced.

ELD students come from all four grade levels. Yet, 37 percent of the students in the program are freshmen, whereas only 13 percent are seniors. ELD students, no matter what grade they are in, receive guidance in everyday application of the English language and study skills by reading workbooks, books and newspapers. They also work on group projects, that simulate real-life situations like making appointments. Goodheart said that writing “autobiographical narratives” and participating in “Socratic seminars at the higher levels” are important parts of the program.

A program within ELD called Specially Designed Academic Instruction in English (SDAIE) helps students work at a pace that prevents them from falling behind in graduation credit. World Studies teacher Carmen Gomez teaches a bilingual SDAIE class for Spanish speakers.

The ELD program has 117 students in multiple classes and tutorial sessions. Many coordinators and teachers, like Maria Hoerni and Lydia Zele, are involved in ensuring that the program runs smoothly. Hannah Nguyen and Greg Brockman are instructional assistants.

Hortensia Halsted serves as the liaison to the bilingual community and also as an instructional assistant. She helps parents communicate with teachers if they are not able to do so themselves.

“[ELD provides] a service—teachers come to us. We know all our students, so when teachers have any concerns or if students are not doing well, they can come to us,” Halsted said.

Students from many different countries are involved in ELD. Spanish, Chinese, Turkish, Hindi, Vietnamese, Norwegian, Croatian, Russian, Hebrew and Japanese-speaking students who are either immigrants, exchange students or children of traveling professionals are currently included in the program.

“I feel that Los Altos is lucky to have all these students with different backgrounds from all over the world and they are willing to share their knowledge, their culture as well as [being willing] to learn from this community,” Halsted said.