Poughkeepsie High School

English as a New Language (ENL) classes are for speakers of other languages who are recent arrivals in this country.  Formerly known as English as a Second Language (ESL), ENL is a specialized instructional program for students whose first language is not English. Trained and certified teachers use methods, techniques and materials designed to meet the needs of English Language Learners (ELLs).

Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are emphasized through a variety of activities. ENL also helps the Limited English Proficient (LEP) / English Language Learner (ELL) student adjust as quickly as possible to the mainstream of the school and to the community. Students are grouped according to ability in English - beginner, intermediate, and advanced.

The principal goal of the ENL class is to prepare the student to exit from ENL and enter into the mainstream by developing their English skills and competency.

Classes taught include:

• ENL entering Gr. 9-12
• ENL literacy Gr. 9-12
• ENL emerging Gr. 9-12
• Global 1
• Global 2
• US History
• Commanding Advisory

• Tracey Bleau is certified in ENL and school administration. She speaks English and specializes in entering, emerging and commanding students; social studies, and the US History Regents.
• Patricia Crittenden is certified in ENL and English. She speaks English and Spanish. Crittenden specializes in Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE), entering students and English for grade 10.
• Tiffany Petagine is certified in ENL and social studies. She speaks English and German and has listening comprehension in Spanish. Petagine specializes in SIFE, social studies and the Global History Regents.
• Pam Knittel is certified in ENL and German. She speaks English, German and Spanish and has listening comprehension in French and Swedish. Knittel specializes in emerging students, testing for new entrants, social studies and Global History. She is the department chair.