What does the name of this class mean?

You will hear multiple names for this class, in addition to Language and Literature. Sometimes you will see it as L & L, which is just a short way to refer to Language and Literature. You might also hear the terms English Class, English/Language Arts or ELA. Some of these will be more or less familiar, depending on where and when people were in middle school. Here is a quick guide to what all the different terms mean:

English class: this is the traditional name. It is what your parents or grandparents called this class. It isn't a very precise name because we do a LOT more than just learn how to use the language.

Language Arts: This name talks about the fact that we are learning and studying the art and creativity of using language. We are looking at reading authors to make us better writers and thinkers. Like any other art, our focus is on constantly trying new things, adding to what we know, revising, and trying it again. We might write a poem in 6th grade, another poem in 7th grade and still another poem in 8th grade. But each time we will be adding new layers of knowledge and experience.

ELA or E/LA: an abbreviation for English Language Arts

Language and Literature: The MYP/IB name for the class that covers exploring how to use language to communicate and exploring literature as a way to understand the human condition. We use the text as a way to look at people and ideas, not just read it and look for technical aspects of writing. How does writing connect us and let us see the world in a different way?

No matter what we call it, it is NOT simply where we "learn English." We read and explore different texts, find connections and meaning in them, and then communicate our understanding. Part of this does involve developing as readers. Part of it is figuring out ways to make our writing clear, including grammar "rules."