ENGLISH AS A NEW LANGUAGE (ENL)
Students will be assessed upon registration to Schenectady High School through an interview and the NYSITELL (New York State mandated examination) if necessary. Those who receive a score that requires support, will attend the appropriate ENL class(es), based on their level of English proficiency. English Language Learners (ELL’s) attend ENL classes until they test proficient on the New York State English as a Second Language Achievement Test (NYSESLAT).
The program is designed to increase students’ reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to a level equivalent to that of their native speaking peers and those needed to succeed in life in the United States. These skills will be developed through the use of authentic reading materials, content area concepts, as well as materials similar to those used in the ELA classes. ELA standards are the basis, hence, students will be required to read literary and informational texts (both authentic and based on concepts from content area classes), write for multiple audiences, tasks and purposes, and listen and speak in various collaborative discussions.
All ELL’s must pass all of the required Regents examinations in order to earn a diploma in New York State. This includes the English Language Arts Common Core exam that all 11th grade students are required by New York State to take and pass. All ELL’s will have at least one co-taught content class. These classes are taught by a content area teacher, as well as an ENL teacher.
ENL COURSES
ENL BEGINNER 9
(1 CREDIT IN ELA; 1 CREDIT IN ENL)
9th Grade ONLY
Students in the beginner ENL classes develop their writing skills by learning to form sentences, paragraphs and eventually essays in English. This includes topics such as topic sentence, central idea, and parts of an essay. Grammar is taught both implicitly as well as explicitly, then practiced through the writing activities. Reading is developed through a variety of reduced text materials including novels, plays and authentic materials. Speaking and listening skills are developed simultaneously.
ENL BEGINNER 10
(1 CREDIT IN ELA; 1 CREDIT IN ENL)
10th Grade ONLY
Students in the beginner ENL classes develop their writing skills by learning to form sentences, paragraphs and eventually essays in English. This includes topics such as topic sentence, central idea, and parts of an essay. Grammar is taught both implicitly as well as explicitly, then practiced through the writing activities. Reading is developed through a variety of reduced text materials including novels, plays and authentic materials. Speaking and listening skills are developed simultaneously.
ENL BEGINNER 11-12
(1 CREDIT IN ELA; 1 CREDIT IN ENL)
11th or 12th Grade ONLY
Students in the beginner ENL classes develop their writing skills by learning to form sentences, paragraphs and eventually essays in English. This includes topics such as topic sentence, central idea, and parts of an essay. Grammar is taught both implicitly as well as explicitly, then practiced through the writing activities. Reading is developed through a variety of reduced text materials including novels, plays and authentic materials. Speaking and listening skills are developed simultaneously.
ENL INTERMEDIATE 9-10
(1 CREDIT IN ENL)
9th and 10th Grade ONLY
Ninth and 10th grade ELL’s continue to develop writing skills with the focus on mastering parts of an essay and the support of a thesis. Grammar is reviewed and reinforced with the aim of increasing students’ awareness in formal written English and developing written communication skills. Vocabulary growth, as well as a more in depth study of literary elements and literary devices is promoted through reading a variety of genres and analyzing content.
ENL INTERMEDIATE 11-12
(1 CREDIT IN ENL)
11 or 12 Grade ONLY
A significant amount of time will be spent preparing for the English Language Arts Common Core exam. Students will work towards mastering the writing skills required to pass the exam. This includes the application of literary elements to support a central idea, as well as choosing relevant and sufficient reasons and evidence to support a claim and counterclaim, in argument writing. Emphasis will be placed on increasing reading fluency and comprehension, as well as vocabulary development, through the reading and analysis of various forms of writings and genres.