ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDUCATION

The English Language 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 qualified, licensed EL teacher. Students are grouped and guided in a systematic, dedicated, and sustained manner to develop various aspects of English proficiency. English language, language goals, and language objectives are the primary instructional focus in tandem with key language demands and academic practices.

ESL develops students' academic language practices such as 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.

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.

Sheltered Content Instruction is delivered by an Sheltered English Instruction (SEI) endorsed teacher who utilizes specific strategies designed to support students in accessing grade level curriculums. Students are placed in heterogeneous groups in the content classrooms. While the audience for English Language Development (ELD) in SEI classrooms is intended for the EL student, all students benefit from making the academic language demands transparent. SEI teachers focus on delivering engaging activities designed to build content knowledge, meet the language needs and make content comprehensible for the ELs in their classes.

The combined 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.