Academic Language Course Offerings

English Language Development Program at Southwest

High school ML students attend English language development classes as part of their daily schedule. ESL services are provided in stand-alone English Language Development (ELD) classes and/or in co-taught mainstream grade-level classes. 

Stand-alone ELD classes offered at Southwest:

• ESL 1B (elective credit) - for 9-12 grade ML students at WIDA level 1; arrival in the U.S. within the last year.

• Academic Language Development 9-12 (elective credit) - for 9-12 grade ML students at WIDA level 1.5-3.5; arrival in the U.S. within the last 5 years. 

Sheltered classes:

• ESL 2A (ELA credit) - for 9-12 grade ML students at WIDA level 1-2; arrival in the U.S. within the last 2 years.

Mainstream classes co-taught with an ESL teacher in 2023-2024:

• Physical Science - 9th grade

• U.S. Government/Race & Identity - 9th grade

• IB SL Biology - 10th grade

• MYP English 10 - 10th grade

• World History - 11th grade

• U.S. Government/Economics - 12th grade

ESL services for students with an IEP:

Multilingual learners who have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) receive ESL services through co-teaching in mainstream core classes or through co-teaching & collaboration between an ESL and a special education teacher.