English as a Second Language
Mission
To provide a multi-faceted, multi-modal English as a Second Language (ESL) program through immersion in a small community setting with a low student-faculty ratio.
Why Oliverian?
Oliverian’s ESL program is designed to accommodate a maximum of five primarily junior and senior international students who are looking to transition into the American education system. Oliverian provides a small and supportive environment for students to develop their English language skills while adjusting to American culture and preparing to attend an American university or college. All students receive direct English-language instruction, immersion in classes primarily composed of native English speakers, English-language support services, student-life integration support, and college counseling. The multi-modal approach to ESL teaching includes differentiated instruction to meet the diverse learning styles of the students, including reading comprehension, writing skills, art/film interpretation/critique, and other innovative forms of instruction. Entering students must be moderately proficient in written and spoken English and can expect to improve their fluency, build writing skills, and strengthen their academic vocabulary.
Programs and Services
- Coursework- English as a Second Language
The English as a Second Language course is taught by Josh Holt, a trained ESL teacher. This course focuses on the development of critical reading comprehension skills, writing skills, and public speaking skills. The course, taught through the lens of history and the social sciences, also provides various opportunities to engage subject- and content-area readings in a critical and analytical manner, all the while empowering the students to improve their English skills. The teacher individualizes and differentiates ESL instruction to meet the diverse learning needs and styles of each of the students. The average class size of this class is four students.
- Immersion-Based Content-Area Instruction
In addition to the English as a Second Language course, all ESL students will be fully immersed in content-area courses in the humanities, sciences, mathematics, and more, each of which provides a small community-learning setting with a low student-teacher ratio and an average class size of seven students. Content-area teachers have received training in providing support to English language learners in their courses.
- English-Language Support Services
Students involved in the ESL program also receive academic support through an ESL-centered study hall, proctored by a study hall proctor who is specifically trained to support our English language learners in achieving success in their content-area and elective coursework.
- Student-Life Integration Support Services
Under the direction of the International Students Coordinator and the Associate Headmaster, international and ESL students receive student-life-focused support to facilitate their integration into the school community. This support is designed to encourage and empower international and ESL students to become fully integrated into the school community through residential life, student life, service-learning, stewardship, and outdoor experiential learning.
- College Application and Transition Support
All ESL students at the junior and senior level will receive college counseling and transition support specific to their needs as international/ESL students, including one-on-one college counseling, college visit support, and application and transition support services.
Oliverian Fast Facts
- Oliverian is a very small community of between 40 and 50 students, with a maximum of five ESL students.
- Oliverian students live in small dorms of 7 to 15 students each, with a dorm parent residing in each dorm.
- Oliverian School is situated on approximately 1800 acres of beautiful forest and farmland in the White Mountains region of New Hampshire.
Our Students
Holding true to our mission, we define our students by who they are, rather than by who they are not. Oliverian students come from all over the world and from a variety of different circumstances and traditions. The School aims to serve students who are capable of serious academic work and aspire to success in college and beyond.
- The Learning-Challenged Student: We work well with students with mild to moderate learning challenges, from attention and executive functioning deficits, to non-verbal learning disorder and processing issues. While we are not a special education school, we serve these students well because our teachers have the luxury of working within very small classes and advisee groups, and are trained and committed to understanding and teaching to different learning styles.
- The Unhappy Learner: We have a number of students who identify themselves as unique and different, often because they have had social and academic struggles and have felt like they are square pegs trying to fit into round holes in a more traditional school. While they have often faced either social, emotional, or academic challenges, these are more likely symptoms of a poor school match than primary causes in and of themselves.
- The Socially/Emotionally Challenged Student: We work well with students with a range of mild to moderate social and emotional challenges, such as, ADD/ADHD, depression, and non-verbal learning disorder.
- The Recovery Student: We work well with a small group of students who are committed to working on their sobriety. Given our open campus and desire to challenge our students with some freedom and increased responsibility, we do not accommodate students who show no real desire to stop using. For those seeking support in recovery we offer a real-life environment with considerable support. We provide accountability through drug testing and a clear three-step disciplinary and counseling process, and support through substance contracts, regular counseling and access to multiple 12 step meetings.
** Visit the Oliverian School Newsroom to read past articles **
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DATES TO REMEMBER
Weekend Activities
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Spring Vacation
March 17 - April 2
Fourth Quarter Begins
Mon, April 16
Summer Session:
Sun, July 1 - Sat, Aug 18
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