The language of instruction at OIS is English. However, OIS welcomes students whose first language is not English, and we have an ESL program designed to assist such students. Our ESL program immerses students into the English language by mainstreaming them into their grade level and periodically pulling them out of class for special training with our qualified ESL teacher. Students will be placed into various levels of our ESL program, depending on their level of English proficiency.

ESL – BEGINNING LEVEL
Beginning ESL is designed to help students with limited understanding of English gain language skills to communicate in social settings and interact in the classroom. Students also learn to use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways. Students learn to use English to share and request information, express needs, feelings, and ideas. In the classroom students will be able to follow oral and written directions, request and provide clarification, ask and answer questions.

ESL – INTERMEDIATE LEVEL
Intermediate ESL is designed to help students with limited understanding of English gain language skills to communicate in social settings and interact in the classroom. Students also learn to use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways. This program continues to build upon the foundation laid in Beginning ESL, emphasizing more advanced grammar and vocabulary skills.

ESL – ADVANCED LEVEL
Advanced ESL utilizes an integrated approach to continue the development of reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students read books from different genres and write in paragraphs. Students are introduced to idioms, synonyms, homonyms and antonyms. They will review the parts of the speech and learn passive voice, reported speech, and sequence of tenses.