The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Family Life Academy Charter School prepares students to become proficient in the English language.

FLACS is implementing the use of the researched-based program called English Now! This program provides instruction in vocabulary, oral language skills, and oral and written composition of stories. Through the use of commands, partner share, and writing sentences, students learn the basics in working together to learn English. “The goal of the program is to accelerate English learners’ acquisition of English to enable them to function successfully in a grade-level academic environment.” (LitConn 2007)

In order to determine which students will receive ESL services, ESL teachers use the data given on the Language Assessment Battery-Revised (LAB-R) scores in English and Spanish. The Spanish LAB-R provides ESL teachers with a broader understanding of which language the students are more proficient. There is also the use of the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test score, where ESL teachers look at the raw score in the areas of listening, speaking, reading and writing in order to provide proper services to the students at FLACS.

Family Life Academy Charter School serves as the model in teaching English Language Learners (ELL). In 2009, FLACS joined and now leads a consortium of charter schools with ELL populations. FLACS teachers and educational administrators mentor the leaders and instructional staff of charter school consortium members in techniques for instructing English Language Learners.