Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education (CLDE)

Newcomer English Language Arts

This course is designed primarily for linguistically diverse newcomers to the US who speak little or no English, have had limited or interrupted formal education, and may not be literate in their home language. Students in this class typically enter with a WIDA language proficiency level of approximately N/A to 1.4. Students will develop foundational English language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing with particular emphasis on oral language communication, basic literacy skills, plus an introduction to the American school system and culture. This class prepares students to interact with teachers and peers in content area classes and adapt to the American educational system at the secondary level. The curriculum is based on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards, and WIDA performance definitions. Students will receive English Language Arts credit.

Beginning English Language Arts

This course is designed primarily for linguistically diverse beginners who have completed Newcomer ELA (ESL 1), or are new arrivals to the US who have had formal education and are literate in their home language. They are still in the beginning or early intermediate stages of English language development, and typically enter with a WIDA language proficiency level of approximately 1.5 to 2.4. Through developmentally appropriate literary texts and highly scaffolded instruction, students develop or improve academic English language skills in speaking, listening, reading and writing, with particular emphasis on oral language, literacy, and American culture. This class prepares students to interact with teachers and peers in content area classes and adapt to the American educational system at the secondary level. The curriculum is based on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards, and WIDA performance definitions. Students will receive English Language Arts credit.

Intermediate English Language Arts

This course is designed primarily for linguistically diverse students who have completed Beginning ELA (ESL2), or are new arrivals to the US who have had formal education and are literate in their home language. They possess intermediate level knowledge of academic English in speaking, listening, reading and writing. They typically enter with a WIDA language proficiency level of approximately 2.5 to 3.4. Through developmentally appropriate texts and highly scaffolded instruction, students continue to develop and improve English language skills with emphasis on expanded literacy, critical thinking and oral language skills necessary to interact with teachers and peers at the secondary level. The curriculum is based on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards, and WIDA performance definitions. Students will receive English Language Arts credit.

Advanced English Language Arts

This course is designed primarily for linguistically diverse students who are in the higher intermediate to advanced stages of English language development. They may have completed Intermediate ELA (ESL 3), or may be new arrivals to the US. Although the students may have advanced oral skills, they struggle with the academic literacy demands of non-sheltered content classes. They typically enter with a WIDA language literacy proficiency level of approximately 3.5 or above. Through scaffolded instruction and developmentally appropriate texts across content areas, students expand their reading comprehension, oral and written expression, and improve the critical thinking and analytical skills necessary to access grade level curriculum at the secondary level. The curriculum is based on the Colorado Academic Standards (CAS), Colorado English Language Proficiency (CELP) Standards, and WIDA performance definitions. Students will receive English Language Arts credit.