Department Overview
The ELL Program is designed to meet the linguistic, academic and social needs of English Language Learners (ELLs) who attend Amherst Regional High School. The ELL Program creates a welcoming and challenging learning community where students acquire proficiency in both conversational and academic English, mastering academic content while developing the social skills necessary to thrive in a culturally diverse American high school. Students are enrolled in ELL courses taught by certified ELL teachers and receive English, Social Studies and general credit for these courses. Students are also enrolled in courses outside the ELL program. ELL courses are offered at the beginning, intermediate and advanced levels and are aligned with the Massachusetts state frameworks for English and Social Studies, with district curricula, and with state and national standards for English language instruction.
Identification and placement of students is made by the ELL staff, using the MODEL and ACCESS tests and native-language assessments as needed. These assessments are administered upon enrollment and annually in order to determine each student’s English language proficiency level and English learning needs. Students who are not yet proficient in English are placed in ELL courses at the appropriate WIDA level and meet with a school counselor to choose courses in the general curriculum, with the expectation that they will graduate from Amherst Regional High School and pursue post-secondary education. ELLs are placed in non-ELL courses with teachers who are trained through the Massachusetts RETELL program to teach this content and subject-specific academic language to English Language Learners. Bilingual interpreters are assigned to clarify instruction in non-ELL classes (particularly math, science and health) for students at WIDA levels 1-3.
ELL Levels and Credits
There are five levels of ELL: (1) entering, (2) emerging, (3) developing, (4) expanding and (5) bridging. Students are assigned to one of these five levels. Each year, the composition of the ELL cohorts change such that not every class is offered at every level. ELL students progress from one level to the next as they acquire more proficiency in English. Progress is determined through the use of various assessments including a student’s performance in class, annual proficiency assessments and the ACCESS test or other standardized assessments required by the Massachusetts Department of Education.
In addition, we offer a curriculum for students with limited or interrupted formal schooling (SLIFE). These courses meet at the same time as beginning-level classes, or are co-taught along with them and are designed for students who have had inconsistent schooling or literacy instruction in their first language. Both include 2 credits per quarter.
Most ELL English and social studies courses are two-credit courses that are taken for one or two semesters. The ELL U.S. History course is a four-credit course that is taken for one semester. A student enrolled in ELL courses may receive a maximum of four English credits per year. Students receive social studies credit for the ELL social studies courses. If ELL social studies courses are repeated, general credit is awarded.
ELL students at level 5 who are highly motivated may take one semester of English 10: Literature, Writing, and Public Speaking.
Students receive ELL instruction until they are proficient in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English, as demonstrated by the annual ACCESS exam, at which time they are exited from the ELL program. The ELL department head monitors the academic progress of exited ELL students for four years. Upon exiting the ELL program, students transition into English classes by taking English 10: Literature, Writing, and Public Speaking. To transition into Social Studies classes, exiting 9th, 10th and 11th graders must enroll in US History. Entering 9th graders who have been exited from ELL will take English 9 and Global History 1.
Course Descriptions
English Literacy Development: Reading (072) change to level B
English Literacy Development: Language (071) change to level A
2 credits per quarter per course. Course will meet all year. Students will enroll in both courses.
These courses are designed to teach students to communicate information, ideas, and concepts necessary for academic success in the content area of English language arts and social studies. Course of study will be based on the student’s academic needs. These may include phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, and comprehension. This course will draw on students’ background knowledge to help them access the culturally relevant content using collaborative learning, direct instruction, and other research-based techniques. This course is scheduled for two periods.
ELL Communication A (060A)
ELL Communication B (060B)
Credits: 2 per quarter. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL beginning-level students
ELL Communication is for students with a basic or emerging level of spoken English. Through the use of oral presentations, role-plays and functional language activities, students develop listening and speaking skills in English. Students learn to communicate daily personal needs and converse in social situations on familiar topics. Students are introduced to the fundamentals of English grammar and pronunciation. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition from the course.
ELL Beginning Literature A (064A)
ELL Beginning Literature B (064B)
Credits: 2 This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 1 and 2 students
ELL Beginning Literature is a course for students with little or no proficiency in reading in English. Students develop literacy skills and master essential vocabulary and grammar through reading in a variety of genres. Students read narratives, short stories, fables, folktales, and an abridged novel. Students also read non-fiction. Students are expected to read the assigned texts with comprehension in order to transition from the course.
ELL Introduction to Social Studies (062)
Credits: 2 This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 1 and 2 students
ELL Introduction to Social Studies introduces and reinforces social studies concepts and skills. This background knowledge will prepare students for success in intermediate and advanced ELL social studies classes. Content includes physical geography, human and cultural geography, and regional studies. Skills include the ability to interpret and create globes, maps, charts, graphs and timelines, read and write expository text, interpret visual images, and understand and use key academic vocabulary in context. Each unit will be connected to a reading about a current global issue, a world leader, or an aspect of culture related to that region of the world.
ELL Beginning Composition A (065A)
ELL Beginning Composition B (065B)
Credits: 2 per quarter. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 1 and 2 students
ELL Beginning Composition is a course for students with basic or emerging proficiency writing in English. Students learn to express their ideas in words, sentences and single paragraphs and progress to multi-paragraph compositions. Students use the writing process, edit their own writing, study basic English grammar, and build vocabulary through short readings and independent reading. Students learn basic keyboarding skills in this course. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition from the course.
ELL Intermediate Literature A (066A)
ELL Intermediate Literature B (066B)
Credits: 2 per quarter. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 3 students or permission of the department head
ELL Intermediate Literature is a course in which students increase their English vocabulary, improve contextual reading skills, and develop reading strategies in English. Students read a variety of authentic and abridged literary texts: poetry, drama, short stories, mythology, novels, and nonfiction. Students learn to speak and write about literature in English. Students also focus on improving pronunciation. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition from the course.
ELL Intermediate Composition A (067A)
ELL Intermediate Composition B (067B)
Credits: 2 per quarter- This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 3 students or permission of the department head
ELL Intermediate Composition is a course in which students continue to improve their writing in English through the writing process. Students learn to write clear, correct, well-organized sentences, paragraphs, and short essays for a variety of purposes and audiences. Students also study English grammar and usage. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition from this course.
ELL World History A (063A)
ELL World History B (063B)
Credits: 2 per quarter. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 3 or 4 students or permission of the department head
ELL World History is a content-based course designed to acquaint students with ancient and medieval world history as they increase their academic vocabulary, improve listening, reading and writing skills, and develop responsible research skills. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition to the next level.
ELL Advanced Composition and Literature A (068A)
ELL Advanced Composition and Literature B (068B)
Credits: 2 per quarter. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 4 or 5 students or permission of the department head
ELL Advanced Composition and Literature is a course in which students continue to improve their reading and writing in English. Students use the writing process and become more independent at revising and editing. Paragraph and essay writing, including analytical essay writing as well as effective, responsible research skills and oral presentation skills are stressed. Students also study complex grammar points and literary devices and read short stories, poetry, novels, plays and nonfiction works. Students must achieve proficiency at this level in order to transition from the course.
Honors Option: Honors work is possible each term and requires completion of an ELL Honors Project.
ELL History of US A (061A)
ELL History of US B (061B)
Credits: 2 credits per quarter
Prerequisite: Open to ELL level 4 or 5 students or permission of the department head
ELL Early U. S. History is a content-based course in which students learn about the history and government of North America from pre-conquest Native American societies to the Civil War. Students continue to build English academic vocabulary, improve reading, listening, writing and speaking skills, and develop research and writing skills. This course meets the US History graduation requirement for seniors only. All other students are required to take a US history course offered by the social studies department after successful completion of this course. Honors Option: Honors work is possible and requires completion of an ELL Honors Project in both terms.
ELL Math (070)
Credits: 8 (Full Year Course)
Prerequisite: Department Head recommendation
This yearlong course is designed to teach students the fundamental concepts necessary for academic success in the high school math standards. Course of study will be based on the student’s academic needs. This course will draw on students’ background knowledge to help them access the relevant content using collaborative learning, direct instruction, and other research-based techniques. Next possible course: Integrated Math 1 or Algebra 1
ELL Advanced Writing Workshop (0704)
Credits: 2 English credits
This quarter-long course supports students’ academic writing and language in levels 4 and 5. In addition to opportunities to receive instruction in various academic genres, students will have a chance to get extra support in writing related to content-area courses, such as English language arts and social studies.
ELL Language of Film (0705)
Credits: 2 General Education credits
ELL Language of Film introduces students in levels 3-5 to the film-making process from script to screen. Students will learn how to recognize and analyze the fundamentals of film structure and analysis. These skills will aid students in enjoying film as both art and entertainment.
ELL Language of Global Issues (0706)
Credits: 2 Social Studies credits
ELL Language of Global Issues is an elective for ELL students in level 4 and up that explores the conditions facing the global community. The course is divided into six units and explores current issues, the causes, and the potential solutions to those issues. After students research current circumstances and conditions around the world, we will examine demographics & disease, environment & energy, economics & globalization, human rights, and geopolitics.
ELL Consumer Economics (0608)
Credits: 2 Social Studies credits
In this elective, ELL students level 3 and up will explore human behavior and its motivation to meet one’s needs and wants and how these things drive the U.S. financial system and markets. Specifically, ELL Consumer Economics highlights the pressing economic realities of debt, credit, market freedoms and restrictions, and fraud. Students will also have a chance to learn about financial literacy and healthy financial habits for young people living in the United States.
ELL Career Communication and Preparation (0707)
Credits: 2 Social Studies credits
This ELL elective provides 11th and 12th grade students or those at levels 3-5 with a foundation in how to prepare materials such as resumes and cover letters, and skills to be successful in applying to jobs and at work in general. Students will practice interview and conflict resolution skills extensively and learn the importance of punctuality and teamwork in the job force.