By: Lia Bradley
ELL Specialist at DHS
Peer mentoring is an evidence-based approach that fosters positive outcomes and enhances social competence among young people, including those with increased vulnerability, such as English Learner (EL) students. Our DHS EL mentoring program was launched three years ago with Mouchefa Batcha and Erika Paiz. Today, with our growing EL population, our student mentorship program has helped EL newcomer students in adapting to and thriving in our school environment. Freshmen and sophomore students are doing an excellent job mentoring their peers, and in their junior and senior years, they are rewarded with credit through the mentorship program.
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Teachers at DHS have done an outstanding job incorporating our prominent bilingual students into their classes, creating an environment where newcomers can assimilate into our culture. As the number of English Learners continues to grow, we hope that more bilingual students will be eager to step up and utilize their language skills to assist their peers.
As challenging and scary as it is to attend a new school in a new country, teaching in a classroom with more EL students has proven to be very challenging for teachers as well. Bilingual student mentors have played a crucial role in bridging language barriers, helping our school thrive in this culturally diverse environment. A big thank you to both our mentors and teachers for their efforts in making this possible!