ESL situation in Kindergarten

This question is about kindergarten education in USA. So, we are bilingual, and mainly speak another language at home. When I was filling out my son's kindergarten application, there was a question that asked "if we speak another language at home". I thought it was just a general question with no implication, so I put yes.

Now long story short, he was given WIDA test for fluency in English, and he got 3 out of 5 in assement (5 is a passing score). So, they have now enrolled him into ESL (Englsih as a Secondary Language) class. Now, we have the ability to waive this class; however, he will have to keep taking the ACCESS test each year until he passes it. It wouldn't be an issue, except this test is very specific about pronouns and even someone who doesn't speak another language would have trouble passing it from what I have read online.

He was born and raised here. He went to Pre-K and interacted with students and teachers just fine and also learned English from watching cartoons. We mainly speak other language at home, but he also converses with us in englsih as well. He is learning two languages at the same time, so sometimes he mixes up words and sentences, but he doesn't have any particular issue with language learnjng. I spoke to the teacher who took his assessment, and even she mentioned that kids of this age sometimes aren't motivated during these tests/ assessment and that could be why he didn't get 5.

From what I have read, people who take ESL classes have easier time passing Access test because they are taught specific material for the exam. So, I am in a dilemma whether to enroll him or not. If we choose to enroll him, they will pull him from his regular class room for 45 minutes each day to tech him ESL material.

I am thinking about enrolling him just so that he can pass the ACCESS test next year and get it out of the way. So, if we do enroll him, can he fall behind in the regular class in terms of reading/ writing because he is only taught beginner level material in ESL? How is ESL material different from regular class? The ESL teacher I spoke to, mentioned that ESL class is specifically for people are learning two languages and they would teach English in more depth compared to the regular class.

So, should I give it a go, or am I doing him a disservice by enrolling him into this class? Would he be treated differently in his regular class for being ESL? Can someone please shed more light on their experience with ESL? I would love to get input from teachers as well. Thanks!

Submitted August 11, 2024 at 09:26AM by Chrishp7878 https://ift.tt/WlCbgIr