English Language Education

ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION

The English Learner Education Program (ELE) serves multilingual students whose first language is other than English. A student classified as an English Learner (EL) receives English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction by a licensed EL teacher. Students are grouped and guided in a systematic, dedicated, and sustained manner to develop English language proficiency.

Instruction is guided by the WIDA Language Standards as well as the Common Core standards and State Frameworks 

ESL develops students' academic language practices of WIDA’s Key Uses; argue, inform, explain and narrate. Students learn the language structures of arguing with evidence, justifying conclusions, expressing cause-effect relationships, describing reasoning, making predictions and negotiating for meaning. This happens at the students' varying level of language proficiency using grade level materials and texts. 

The program is two-fold as the EL classroom provides direct instruction in English using WIDA and State content standards, and content teachers support the students' English development in the Sheltered Content Instruction (SCI) classrooms.

The curriculum is rigorous, with aligned instruction that promotes the cultural and linguistic skills EL students bring with them to American schools. The program  guides students toward opportunities for college, career, and civic readiness with the purpose of  building individual and community agency.

Faculty

Ms. Renata Dos Santos - Department Chair

Mr. Marc Clifford

Ms. Sharifa Djurabaeva

Ms. Andrea Weingartner

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT NEWCOMER (786)

Grades 8-12: ELP  Level 1

(Year) 1.50 credits

Students who score ELP 1.0 1.5 on the WIDA Screener and are brand new to the country are enrolled in the Newcomer class

This class introduces Multilingual students who have recently arrived to the US to the English language, American schooling, and American culture. Newcomer students require introductory mechanics of the English Language alongside the WIDA Standards of Social Instructional language, the language of ELA, Math, Social Studies, and Science. This course orients the newest students to English vocabulary, phrases, and sentence structures through direct English instruction. Students practice speaking, reading, writing and listening in English.  Students will also  learn school procedures and activities. 

The National Geographic Newcomer Curriculum is used along with the WIDA Standards to provide grade level access to the English language.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 1 (748)

Grades 8-12:  ELP Level 1

(Year) 1.50 credits

Students who score ELP 1.5- 1.9 on the WIDA Screener/ACCESS are enrolled in ELD 1

This class is designed for Multilingual students who require direct instruction in the English language. 

Instruction is grounded in the Key Use Descriptors of Narrate, Explain, Argue and Inform  in order to advance the students current proficiency levels.

The course covers the English sound system, basic grammatical structures, and writing as well as linguistic features unique to American English. Lessons are generated from grade level mentor texts and basic patterns of genre, literary elements and vocabulary.

This course meets the ELA credit requirements. ELA content standards and the WIDA language standards inform instruction.

Students will become  familiar with the MCAS exam’s format and practice writing and reading strategies using rubrics and exemplars provided by the State.

The ELA Frameworks, WIDA Content Standards and National Geographic resources make up the curriculum. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 2 (749)

Grades 8-12: ELP  Level 2

(Year) 1.50 credits

Students who score ELP 2.0- 2.9 on the WIDA Screener/ACCESS are enrolled in ELD 2

This class is for newly-arrived English speakers with advanced to low intermediate level English skills, as well as EL students who have gained some mastery of basic  skills in English.  

This course meets the ELA credit requirements, the ELA content standards and the WIDA language standards inform instruction.

Students will  develop an understanding of English through more complex word, phrase, and discourse levels.

Instruction is grounded in the Key Use Descriptors of Narrate, Explain, Argue and Inform in order to advance  the students current proficiency levels.

Students will become familiar with the MCAS exam’s format and practice writing and reading strategies using rubrics and examples provided by the State.

The ELA Frameworks, WIDA Content Standards, and National Geographic resources make up the curriculum. 

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 3 (750)

Grades 8-12:  ELP Level 3*DESE has removed 3F and 3T distinction

(Year) 1.50 credits

Students who score ELP 3.0- 3.9 on the WIDA Screener/ACCESS are enrolled in ELD 3

This class is designed for the ELP 3 students. It will prepare English Learners (ELs) to participate in tandem with their mainstream English content classes. 

Focus is on genre study and recognizing patterns of text, identifying features of complex  text, responding to grade level prompts and extrapolating key language features for deep understanding of mentor texts. 

Instruction is grounded in the Key Use Descriptors of Narrate, Explain, Argue and Inform in order to advance  the students current proficiency levels.

Advanced academic vocabulary and engaging, relevant, units of study prepare students to fully participate in the academic English class as well as their other content area classes.

 Students will practice note-taking skills and actively respond to texts through integrated writing, speaking, and listening activities. Students explore literary elements at grade level through systematic and deliberate learning activities. Topics include the study of writing for an audience, voice, editing, oral presentations, deconstructing prompts and extended comprehension. 

Students become familiar with the MCAS exam’s format and practice writing and reading strategies using rubrics and exemplars provided by the state.

The ELA Frameworks and the WIDA Content Standards make up the curriculum.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 4 (751)

Grades 8-12:  ELP Level 4

(Year) 1.50 credits

This class is designed for students whose ELP score is in the range of 3.5 - 4.2. It is designed to be the final step in completing the ELD program, and to provide the advanced academic language skills needed for success in their concurrent mainstream English classes and other core content subjects. 

Instruction is grounded in the Key Use Descriptors of Narrate, Explain, Argue and Inform in order to advance  the students current proficiency levels.

Focus is on genre study and developing the ability to represent elaborated text that conveys intended purposes and organizational patterns with a variety of cohesive devices. Advanced academic vocabulary and engaging, relevant, units of study prepare students to fully participate in the academic English class as well as their other content area classes. Oral presentations, interactive work with classmates, and demonstrated ability for sustained independent work prepare the student to meet the demands of the content classrooms. 

The curriculum is derived from the Massachusetts Frameworks for English Language Arts and the WIDA Content Standards.

ELD HISTORY 1 (758)

Grades 9-12 ELP 1 & 2

(Year) 1.5 credits

This course uses extensive Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) teaching strategies to make grade-level subject material accessible to beginning English learners, while furthering their English-language development. There is a special emphasis on developing vocabulary and reading skills. The content covers the US History 1 curriculum outlined in the Massachusetts Frameworks. Students in EL Levels 1-2 and grades 9-12 are eligible for this course if their transcript does not already include credit for a US History 1 course.

ELD HISTORY 2 (754)

Grades 9-12 ELP 1 & 2

(Year) 1.5 credits

This course uses extensive Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) teaching strategies to make grade-level subject material accessible to beginning English learners, while furthering their English-language development. There is a special emphasis on developing vocabulary and reading skills. The content covers the US History 2 curriculum outlined in the Massachusetts Frameworks. Students in EL Levels 1-2 and grades 9-12 are eligible for this course if their transcript does not already include credit for a US History 2 course.

ELD SCIENCE (761)

Grades 9-12 ELP 1 & 2

(Year) 1.5 credits

This course uses extensive Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) teaching strategies to make grade-level subject material accessible to beginning English leaners, while furthering their English-language development.  The content covers the Biology curriculum outlined in the Massachusetts Frameworks.  Students in EL Levels 1 & 2 and grades 9-12 are eligible for this course if their transcript does not already include credit for a Biology course.  

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS-CONTENT SUPPORT 

Content Support 1 (769)

Content Support 2 (771) 

Grades 8-12:  Level 1 & 2

(Semester) 0.75 credits

This class is designed to support the English Learners (ELs) in content subject matter of English, Mathematics, Social Studies, Sciences, and related courses through direct instruction, students will expand academic vocabulary with daily oral, sustained practice. Brief daily lessons of fluency in speaking and reading promote content concepts. Some time will also be devoted to tutoring support for students.