This week, Channel Islands High school recognized 38 students classified as English language learners for their outstanding performance in passing a test which certified their English proficiency. The ceremony held is a yearly event in which students, teachers, administration and families are invited to attend and witness students receive their certification.
Assistant Principal Vanessa Calderon credits the work done by both administration and the faculty for students identified as English language learners to receive the certification, as well as the importance of the exposure to academic language has on bilingual students.
“As faculty, we do ongoing things to prepare English language learners, but the number one strategy that all of us, and when I mean all of us, every classroom teacher in any content area, including people in the office, should be speaking with our students at an academic level so they can hear academic language daily, specifically when they’re in their classes,” said Calderon.
The certification identified students who spent years taking the English Language Proficiency Assessment, known as the ELPAC. Jaquelin Bautista, senior, shared her experience taking and passing the test helped her confidence in both English and Spanish.
“I recall trying to translate to my parents and not knowing if what I was saying was 100% correct,” said Bautista. “Today, I feel confident in both languages, and that my answers will be more accurate when involving translation..”
“This accomplishment motivates me to continue improving my vocabulary and speaking skills in the career I wish to pursue.”
Angela Alatorre, senior, reflected that the certification and ceremony was an important moment for her as a daughter of a family who immigrated to America. “ I struggled throughout my childhood since my parents would travel back and forth from Mexico to the US very often,” said Alatorre. “It was difficult for me to adapt to a new culture, tradition, and learning a new language to have a basic conversation with someone else.”
Upon transitioning to a new country, Alatorre recalled that after her family decided to settle in California when she was 11 years old, her goal was to learn the English language. “I wanted to improve, but I was always nervous and struggled to find the right words to give an answer, especially when teachers would call on me,” Alatorre said.
“I was afraid that by saying the wrong words that I would be judged.”
Entering high school, Alatorre found inspiration in working with Calderon, as she felt, “connected to her story and motivated by her outcome.”
“Mrs. Calderon’s encouragement meant a great deal,” Alatorre said. “This certificate means a lot to me.”
Calderon emphasized the importance of being certified as English language proficient, as she points out how English Language learners have the opportunity to receive a seal of biliteracy on their high school diploma.
“That’s a very important accomplishment for our high school graduates because that recognition is not just a golden seal on the high school diploma, but it gives them credit when they go to college,” said Calderon.
The ceremony congratulated the Raiders for their hard work and dedication. As Alatorre reflected after the ceremony, being an English language learner was not a disadvantage, but instead a factor that helped her motivation.
“It wasn’t a barrier, but instead a motivator to achieve greater things.”
