Cobb County ESOL

International Welcome Center

The International Welcome Center processes all international and ESOL middle and high school students new to Cobb County. Transcripts will be evaluated and language competency assessed.

 

  International Welcome Center
    1560 Joyner Ave.
Marietta, 30060
Phone: 678-331-3086
Fax: 678-331-3964

IWC Mission and Objectives

Mission:

 Facilitate communication between the international community and local schools

 

Objectives:

The Student Advisors and staff facilitate registration for international students new to Cobb County by:

• assessing English and native language skills
• screening students for placement into schools
• creating a student profile that includes personal data, language background and educational history
• evaluating academic records from the student's home or previous country
• advising students on course selection and graduation requirements
• providing information about community resources including adult education opportunities

Language Facilitators facilitate school – home communication by:

• promoting international  parental involvement at every school
• improving literacy and academic achievement through parental involvement in the student’s education
• encouraging parental leadership in the school and community
• facilitating family self--sufficiency
• promoting the understanding of cultural diversity

Language Facilitators manage a network of support services and activities specific to the needs of international families and their schools by providing:

• Interpretation & translation in multiple languages district-wide
• On-line Multiple Language Document Library - TransAct
• Orientation about the local Educational System
• Orientation about school information to international families
• Resources, classes, workshops to involve parents in schools
• Multi-lingual workshops about various topics of interest to schools, parents & community
• Cultural diversity workshops
• Resources, classes, workshops and seminars to involve international families in the educational community

Languages Offered: Spanish, Portuguese, Korean, French, Haitian Creole, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, and others as requested

 

Parent Involvement Support Services

Parent Involvement Support:

Our mission is to increase student academic achievement through parental involvement. We aim to achieve our goal via the development and implementation of educational workshops for

•Parents

• School Parent Liaisons

• Bilingual Support Personnel

One goal of the IWC is to encourage parents to participate in their children’s education and prepare them to take leadership roles at their local schools via volunteering, PTA, and school council. In addition, the IWC conducts interactive cultural diversity presentations to the local school staff to educate school personnel regarding best practices in welcoming and working with the international students arriving to the Cobb County School District. Through partnerships with several educational organizations, colleges and universities in our community, we have been able to develop and implement a Job Shadow and College Pipeline program for our middle and high school students.

Migrant Services: Identify, enroll and provide services to migrant families based on results from a Student Needs Assessment

IWC staff available 220 days Monday – Friday from 8 am – 4 pm

Language Facilitators are available for evening conferences & other needs upon request.

Trainings and initiatives: • Interpretation and Translation trainings • Interpretation, domestic violence and legal training through Tapestri • HWY safety courses KSU/CCSD implemented at High Schools • IEL students from East Cobb MS are taken to General Electric for Job Shadowing • Town Hall meetings at Elementary, Middle and High Schools • Ready for Success meetings held at Middle Schools and High Schools Major Activities: • Elementary and Middle School Conference Week (January) • Parent – Teacher conferences for elementary, middle and high schools • Kindergarten Registration • Pre-K Registration • PTA meetings • Orientations • High School advisements • High School Workshops on Graduation Requirements • Workshops in local schools