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

• ESL 3B (elective credit) - for 9-12 grade ML students at WIDA level 3; arrival in the U.S. within the last 1-3 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.

• ESL 3A (ELA credit) - for 9-12 grade ML students at WIDA level 2-3; arrival in the U.S. within the last 3 years.

Mainstream classes co-taught with an ESL teacher in 2025-2026:

• IB MYP Earth Science - 9th grade

• Biology - 10th grade

• Human Geography/Economics -  11th grade

• World History - 12th grade

• IB Language & Literature Year 2 - 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.