Language Department
ENL (English as a New Language) teachers and foreign languages teachers help students become proficient in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and understanding a new language or a language they may not be as proficient in on literary levels. Classes are often structured around sequenced levels, with each level building on the previous one.
2024 - 2025 Teachers: Maria Fernandez & Zayn Abaakil
French - World Languages & Cultures
In order to fulfill the world language Regents Diploma requirement in a language other than English, BASE students enrolled into a language course for one year. They usually begin this course in the 10th year. Since Fall 2023, French has been offered to students in order to meet that requirement. The course typically focuses on improving students' speaking and writing skills, vocabulary, and understanding of French jargon. Students may also learn to read and listen to French. The course also includes exposure to other world languages and cultures while having discussions of topics relevant to students' lives, such as school, family, and friends. The second semester will move on to other topics, languages, and cultures such as Indigenous, Hispanic, African, Asian, and Greek cultures and universal themes such as colonialism, immigration, human rights, and so on.
English as a New Language Support
Students are taught English language and content areas in small groups using visual and tactile resources. The instruction emphasizes English language acquisition and uses specific ENL strategies. Students also receive support in their home language. At BASE, students receive instruction in both English language development and core content areas. The classes are taught by teachers who are certified in both the content area and ENL, or by a certified content area teacher and a certified ENL teacher. The teachers use the students' home language as support and other instructional supports to improve comprehension within integrated classrooms