ESL
(English as a Second Language)
The English Learner Education Program (ELE) in Beverly provides specialized English language instruction to students who are not yet fluent in English. Our program is designed to provide sequential English language development which supports students’ acquisition of the English language using the WIDA English Language Standards in tandem with the district's core curriculum. Curriculum is based on scientific research and is designed to meet age appropriate academic achievement standards for each grade or grade span.
At Beverly High School, we recognize the special circumstances our older learners face with only a few years to meet the English and content standards necessary to earn a high school diploma. Therefore, we offer individualized ESL placement and several SEI courses where grade level content is made comprehensible using various scaffolding techniques. A description of all the ESL/SEI courses we offer are listed below. There is also collaboration between the classrooms and ESL team that fosters a safe learning environment where English learners are willing to take risks and feel supported. Lastly, we offer specialized advisories (See description of advisory here) to address the unique needs of high school age English learners as well as their specialized career and education planning needs post graduation.
Newcomer and Emerging ESL
Under construction!
Intermediate ESL (Foundational and Transitional)
Foundational ESL
This class is intended for students who have successfully completed the Emerging course and usually have an ACCESS score of 2.5+. Students in this class are able to communicate everyday needs and engage in conversational topics with little or no difficulty and have typically been here for more than two years. Students will continue to frontload and build academic language, reading and writing skills, and concepts found in the core subjects.
Transitional ESL
This class is intended for students who have an ACCESS score of 3+ and are candidates for exiting the ESL program. Students in this class are able to communicate everyday needs and engage in conversational topics with little or no difficulty and have typically been here for more than two years. Therefore, unlike prior ESL classes, this class focuses less on speaking/conversation and more on building academic reading and writing skills.
The perfect tenses, the passive voice, modals, conditionals and other more complex structures will be taught. Additionally, there is more emphasis on non-fiction reading strategies and learning the process of basic academic writing. The goal is to prepare students with the English and academic tools necessary to be successful in their high school courses after ESL.
SEI Courses
SEI Math
Current Newcomer ELs will start their math graduation requirements at Beverly High School with SEI Math. This course is co-taught by an ESL and math teacher. This class gives special focus to academic vocabulary and skills needed to understand and explain math concepts and word problems as well as teach math concepts necessary to be successful in other math classes required for graduation. After taking SEI Math, students will join their English-speaking peers for Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II.
SEI Biology
Current Newcomer ELs will start their science graduation requirements at Beverly High School with SEI Biology. This course is co-taught by an ESL and science teacher. This class gives special focus to academic vocabulary and skills needed to understand and explain basic biology concepts necessary to be successful in CP Biology. After taking SEI Biology, students will join their English-speaking peers for CP Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Physics, or Earth Science.
SEI U.S. History I
Current Newcomer ELs will start their history graduation requirements at Beverly High School with SEI U.S. History I. U.S. History I is a requirement for graduation.
SEI U.S. History II
This course is designed for ELs who have completed at least one year of ESL instruction as well as SEI US History I and covers the time period after the Civil War (Reconstruction) to the end of the Cold War. Students continue to build the background knowledge and the content language necessary for proficiency in U.S. history and to be successful in their remaining history course alongside their English-speaking peers. This will be accomplished through the explicit teaching of relevant vocabulary, and the use of textbooks, primary sources, videos, and various project-based activities. .U.S. History II is a requirement for graduation.
WIDA ACCESS 2.0
Under construction!