Christina LEP Program

For more than 15 years, the Institute has provided classroom teachers for the local Christina School District. In the past, one teacher -- Janice Lefebvre -- juggled the responsibilities of teaching upwards of 40 children on a variety of language levels in grades one through four.

In the 2000-2001 school year, the school district program at Brookside Elementary School split grades one through four into two classes. This allowed ELI to hire a second teacher to better serve the needs of the children in the ESL population. Lefebvre was joined by Mary McCloskey, who had taught in the regular ELI program since 1994. The pair were able to deliver three levels of service to the ESL students in the District, moving the students as they progressed in the language from five mornings of ESL instruction to two and finally exiting. For those with special needs, one afternoon of individual instruction per week was provided in addition to their regular morning classes.

Students in Jan Lefebvre's LEP class at Brookside Elementary School celebrated the Asian New Year.

Both Lefebvre and McCloskey are enjoying the chance to work together and to spur each other's creative output. They are working on projects to increase the awareness among the regular school teachers of ESL children's needs and to draw the parents into closer contact with the school. As the new school year started, some 40 children, from approximately 15 language backgrounds, were enrolled. Countries represented in the Christina program include India, Korea, Japan, Russia, the Philippines, Turkey, China, Pakistan, Gambia, Liberia and Vietnam.

ELI also serves Casimir Pulaski Elementary School LEP grades four through six. Teacher Katie Drew, who previously taught ELI Level III during summer sessions, enjoys working with young learners from around the world who have found a new home in Delaware.