Languages Policy

Language Policy

Prince Andrew High School

Introduction

This language policy was informed through discussion with various stakeholders, including teachers and administrators and shared with parents and students. The policy was also developed in conjunction with fellow IB Coordinators in order to share best practices with respect to language acquisition in Nova Scotia public high schools and ensure the consistency of expectations for IB students across the Halifax Regional School Board.

Prince Andrew High School is a public high school (grades 10 – 12) that offers its core courses in English. _____% of the school population consists of students whose first language is English. 3.75% of our students are part of the Nova Scotia International Student Program. There are also ______ English as an Additional Language (EAL) students at Prince Andrew High School. Prince Andrew has two EAL teachers, one who is responsible for the International Student Program and one who is responsible for newcomer students to Canada, at the school to support their learning.

As the vast majority of students at Prince Andrew have English as their first language, English A: Literature HL is our Group 1 offering. If, however, a student entered the Diploma programme and were not proficient in English, s/he could be supported in pursuing a self-study in a language recognized by IB. This would be determined based on previous experiences and abilities, and would be decided after discussions with the student, teachers, parents and the IB coordinators.

Students in Nova Scotia begin studying French in early grades; the Diploma program offers French B at the SL level to build on this proficiency. There is also a strong French speaking community in Nova Scotia and Canada and knowledge of the language is culturally important. Students who decide to pursue their studies in French B may have some previous immersion experience in early grades and/or French language classes as part of their public school program.

The school draws a small number of students whose native language is not English and have no previous study of French. For these students Prince Andrew offers Spanish ab initio. Students who have no French background and already are proficient in Spanish, but a proficiency in another language recognized by IB could be supported in pursuing a self-study in lieu of French and Spanish ab initio as the Group 2 study. As with Group 1 this would be determined based on previous experiences, abilities and would be decided in discussions with the student, IB Coordinators, parents and teachers.

The school philosophy is to support the language learning of all students, recognizing that it is central to culture, identity, expression and international mindedness. The belief is that all teachers are language teachers and that all students have a right to be supported in the language of instruction and in their mother tongue.

Halifax Regional School Board/Nova Scotia Department of Education Policies

Prince Andrew High School is part of the Halifax Regional School Board. The mission of the Halifax Regional School Board is: Providing a high quality education for every student every day. The Vision is: providing a safe and engaging learning environment where every student learns, grows and succeeds. In keeping with this, in support of language acquisition in Canada (a bilingual French/English country), and recognizing that there are many students who are non-native English or French Speakers, the policies listed below help provide guidance at a school level.

- Halifax Regional School Board French Second Language Policy

- Halifax Regional School Board Assessment, Evaluation, And Communication of Student Learning Policy

- Nova Scotia Department of Education Guidelines for English as a Second Language (ESL) Programming and Services

- Nova Scotia Department of Education Special Education Policy Manual and supporting documents (e.g., Supporting Student Success and Gifted Education and Talent Development).

- Nova Scotia Department of Education Information Item French Immersion Certificate and the International Baccalaureate

- Halifax Regional School Board Race Relations, Cross Cultural Understanding and Human Rights in Learning

Of particular note:

Halifax Regional School Board French Second Language Policy

1.1 The Halifax Regional School Board (HRSB) encourages all students to develop language skills which will assist them to live and function more effectively in their ethno-culturally diverse, bilingual country.

Halifax Regional School Board Assessment, Evaluation, And Communication of Student Learning Policy (Section 6.2)

6.2.1.1 Ensuring that individual students who require EAL programming services are provided with the appropriate assessment and evaluation methods and strategies to support their needs.

Current Practices

The Language Policy at Prince Andrew High School continues to evolve based on changing school populations and expectations.

The language of instruction at Prince Andrew High School is English. Students who are in Nova Scotia Public Schools begin learning French language skills when they are in elementary or junior high/middle school. At those stages, some students are in English programming and take a daily French language class (Core French Students). Other students choose to be in a French Immersion program and study several of their classes using French as the language of instruction. Parents can choose to enroll students in French immersion as soon as they begin elementary school or they can choose to enroll students when they begin junior high.

Students with no background in French

Students with no previous experience in French do not have to take a French class in Grade 10, although they may choose to if they wish. These students will be given the option to take Spanish ab initio when they enter the IB programme.

Mother Tongue Support

Approximately X% of students at Prince Andrew High School has a mother tongue that is not English or French. Students are assessed by the English as a Second Language teacher and are able to get support with language skills. Some of these students are able to pursue IB French B SL. Students who have a mother tongue that is not English, and who want to maintain their first language, could be offered the IB Self Study option in lieu of English A: Literature HL, French B or Spanish ab initio.

Specific Program Details

Group 1 – all students at Prince Andrew High School study English A: Literature HL. Students operating in a second or third language are given additional support by classroom teachers and EAL teachers (when relevant).

Group 2 – the majority of students study French B SL as their group two language. Students with no previous French experience take Spanish ab initio.

Admission/Assessment

There are no entrance requirements to enroll in the IB Diploma program at Prince Andrew High School, other than successful completion of their Grade 10 Prince Andrew Pre-IB courses. The program supports students with their language needs through a variety of methods. The teachers are very supportive of the language learners in the school and strive to provide the language support that is needed so that students can learn content. Consistent with the Halifax Regional School Board Assessment, Evaluation, And Communication of Student Learning Policy, students are provided appropriate adaptations while learning a language. It is understood that language learning is the responsibility of all teachers.

There is a language profile of each student as part of the student’s school record. Each student is assessed for proficiency. Students are then advised by their teachers and the IB coordinators as to which language acquisition class to take, based on language history, proficiency and interest.

Additional Support

Classroom teacher support – teachers offer extra help to students to help foster language skills in English, French and Spanish ab initio.

EAL services – students are able to access support from an EAL teacher.

Peer Tutoring – there is an active peer tutoring system set up at the school. French students who are struggling are paired with academically strong French students for speaking, listening, and writing support. Students learning English are also partnered with English speakers to help improve language skills.

Outside Tutors – there are a network of tutors available in the community. The local public library offers free tutoring. There are also several available for hire and their contact information is readily available.

Library and Media Resources – There are a range of learning materials available to students in the school library.