Contact Page - ESL programs in Illinois boarding school

Fox River Country Day School, Elgin:
Fox River Country Day School is a coeducational day and junior boarding school situated in Elgin, Illinois, 35 km northwest of Chicago. Established in 1913 the school focuses on character-building and environmental-education to enhance academic studies.

The Mission of Fox River Country Day School is to educate the whole child through a values-based curriculum conducted in a homelike environment, combining academic excellence with individual character development.

Fox River provides ESL Courses for international students. Learning with us is a Formula for Success!

ESL Program:
Learning English requires a combination of elements:
* hard work from the student,
* academic help from teachers,
* support from the family,
* an immersion experience.

Students at Fox River Country Day School benefit from an ideal combination of all of these.

Immersion and Language Proficiency:
There is no better context for learning English than to be immersed in the culture and activities of an English-speaking country. Interacting in natural ways with native speakers develops the learner’s feeling for the rhythm of a language and expands knowledge of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. At Fox River Country Day School international students take part in the same rich schedule of classes and activities as their American counterparts. They are fully-integrated members of the middle school.

Academic support from teachers who care:
Students are instructed exclusively in English and participate in all classroom academics along with their American peers. Teachers value the presence of international students in their classes, and they work hard to nurture students as well as to challenge them. Support services for an international student are custom designed. An ESL Resource teacher may go to a student’s classroom to offer individualized assistance within the context of the course work. A member of the dorm staff may offer special help during evening study hall.

ESL Class:
Students benefit from the additional assistance of an ESL specialist. ESL classes are small, with many opportunities for one-on-one instruction. The ESL specialist clarifies assignments for students, aids them with comprehension, and identifies needs for additional assistance.

All international students begin the year in the ESL class. As they demonstrate progress, support services are adjusted. This individualized approach offers the student extended learning time along with the flexibility to receive differentiated instruction and support when necessary.