English Language (EL) in Hastings

EL Studnents in Hastings

In Hastings Elementary Schools there are 40 English Learners who speak more than 16 languages: Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Fulani, German, Hmong, Kiswahili, Lao, Oromo, Russian, Spanish, Somali, Swedish, Tagalog, Urdu, and Visaya. Oh, and one more; English. Most students learn both languages at the same time, expanding their understanding of the world around them. I encourage everyone to try a new language and see where your learning takes you.
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EL Program Goals

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The purpose of Hastings EL Program is to teach EL students academic language so that they can perform at grade-level or above. We teach students the formal language of school.

Students may have good English to get along, but academic language is the language used in testing, writing, and in higher education. An example of every day language is the word; spin. The academic word is rotate. Rotate is used when talking about schedules. It is also used in Science, Social Studies, Math, Phy. Ed., and Reading. 

English Instruction

  • Th EL Program is a collaborative model. The EL teachers work closely with classroom teachers so that students work toward meeting grade-level requirements.
  • Instruction may be in pull-out (small group) for targeted language or push-in (EL Teacher joins classroom).
  • If a student is pulled out of their classroom for direct English instruction it is always during an independent reading or independent work time.
  • EL instruction often matches the same subjects that are covered in the main classroom. 

EL News

EL Winter Pot Luck  The annual EL Holiday Potluck is Monday, December 4th at 6:00. Come to Hastings Middle School cafeteria for a celebration winter traditions.  Bring a traditional food to share with others. We will talk about Dakota County Parks and what to do there. And of course we will play BINGO! Please let Mrs. Post or Ms. Hisakuni know if you are coming. 

Field Trip 2018​

We will be announcing this years EL field trip for 4th Graders, Middle Schoolers, and High Schoolers here. 

Mill City Museum May-2017

Mill City Museum The EL students in 4th to 12th Grades went to the Mill City Museum last year. We enjoyed learning about how the Mississippi River and the mills shaped the growth of Minneapolis and Saint Paul.