English
as a Second Language Courses
Beginning
Grammar (Beginning English Language Learners, grades 6, 7, 8)
This class focuses on developing
skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This class also works
towards expanding students’ vocabulary and knowledge of English grammar. In
listening, students learn to comprehend and respond to verbal cues and
commands and to understand common words and phrases. In speaking, students
improve their fluency and accuracy through free and controlled practice and
work on reducing accent and improving communication through pronunciation
modeling and practice. In reading, students work with texts with visuals that
activate knowledge and aid comprehension and are exposed to common
sight words for recognition and decoding. In writing, they learn to manipulate
simple sentence structures. This
course is taken in conjunction with Beginning Reading/Writing.
Beginning
Reading/Writing (Grades 6, 7, 8)
This class focuses on developing
Beginning ESL students’ skills in reading, writing, vocabulary development
and phonics and spelling. In reading, students develop their ability to decode
and read in English and improve their reading comprehension through learning
and applying reading strategies. In writing, students work on developing their
ability to create sentences so they can write coherent paragraphs. In
vocabulary development, students learn everyday words, basic academic language
and specific content language and develop strategies that help them learn and
retain vocabulary. In phonics and spelling, students are introduced to the
English sound system, especially short and long vowel sounds. Throughout the
year, students write paragraphs, take tests and quizzes, and give oral
presentations. Students may test out of beginning reading and be placed in
intermediate reading at any time during the year.
Intermediate
Reading/Writing (Grades 6, 7, 8)
This class focuses on developing
Intermediate ESL students’ skills in reading, writing, and vocabulary
development. In reading, students continue to develop their reading
comprehension skills as they apply active reader strategies. In writing,
students transition from single paragraph to multi paragraph writings.
Students broaden the breadth and depth of their vocabulary moving beyond
everyday words. Throughout the year, students write paragraphs, take tests and
quizzes, and give oral presentations. Students are exposed to a variety of
genres in both reading and writing. By
the end of the year, they are expected to write a solid three paragraph paper
with multiple revisions.
Advanced
Reading/Writing (Grades 6, 7, 8)
This class is a continuation of
Intermediate Reading/Writing with a focus on rigorous work in reading,
writing, and vocabulary development. In reading, students continue to develop
their reading comprehension skills as they apply active reader strategies. In
writing, the goal is for students to write a five paragraph paper using the
writing process. Students continue to expand their vocabulary. Students will
give oral presentations connected to their reading topics throughout the year.
The type of assignments,
assessments and reading material are very similar to those used in mainstream
English classes.
English
Language Development (Grades 6, 7, 8)
A major focus of this class is
to fill in gaps that students may have in their background knowledge,
vocabulary and academic skills. ELLs
at this level are at a disadvantage in that they come to us needing to know
academic English as well as content area vocabulary.
Major emphasis is placed
on math and science topics and vocabulary to help students understand what is
being taught in their classes and as a vehicle for academic language
instruction. Additionally,
there are mini lessons about a variety of topics related to English language
acquisition.