by Rodney Dunigan
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Metro School district has developed an interesting program aimed at helping foreign born students better acclimate to the class room. The International Newcomers Academy serves as a bridge to the standard Metro School.
It's actually based at the district central office. Students are from countries all over the globe. For many of these students they're the first in their families to be educated in the United States.
"They really are engaged, they really want to learn and they're very curious. I have to understand that they don't know everything that we know, and I have to demonstrate or show them a picture," said teacher Tyreca Ewing.
Students at the school represent six countries, along with various languages and dialects. Teachers use visual learning tools to help students adapt. Most have been in the United States a year or less. Principal John Mann tells NewsChannel 5 this is the first stop for these students before being integrated into their zoned school.
"Pretty much all of them have been resettled as refugees in the United States and they've had limited or little or no formal schooling. Our program really provides a really intensive year long learning situation where they can just adjust to the idea of school and how it works," said Mann.
Youngsters are taught the basic: from English to simple classroom etiquette. Administrators said kids leave focused and ready for the academic challenges ahead.
"I like school because when I came here from Africa I didn't know any English but they teach me how to speak English. I'm so thankful to be speaking English that's why I like this school so much," student Ayuen Aguto told NewsChannel 5.
The students at the International Newcomers Academy do take standardized tests to check their proficiency in certain subjects like math, for instance. However, administrators tell NewsChannel 5 since many of these kids have been in the country less than a year their scores do not affect Metro's TCAP results.
Most academy students stay with the program at least one full year before transitioning to a standard Metro School. However, some have moved sooner depending on their academic skill level.
Email: rdunigan@newschannel5.com
