ELE - English Language Education Program

ESL 1-2

Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisite: A score of 1.0-2.9 on the WIDA Screener or the ACCESS test.

This course is for bilingual students just beginning the study of English. Thematic units of study introduce the student to the basics of English, using many pictorial and realia supports, beginning with listening and speaking, and gradually adding reading and writing. Role play and dialogues will be performed in class. The emphasis of ESL 1-2 is social English, listening skills, a working vocabulary of everyday nouns and past and present tense verbs, and current local American social norms at school and at home. Simple grammar and beginning mechanics of writing are covered.

Students make comparisons and analyze cultural similarities and differences between the US and their home countries. Along with money, food, clothing, family and religious customs, and holidays, this includes a beginning understanding of US rights and responsibilities, as well as prevailing accepted norms regarding study habits, school expectations and requirements, gender equity, racial equity and other topics as they come up.

The beginning nature of this course and the discipline needed in the process of language acquisition requires dedication and effort on the part of the student. There are written and memorization homework assignments, regular quizzes and bi-weekly vocabulary and dictation assessments as well as a midterm and a final exam.

ESL 3

Grades 9 – 12

Prerequisite: A score of 3.0-3.9 on the WIDA Screener or the ACCESS test.

This course reinforces and expands upon the basic skills acquired in ESL 1-2 and adds the essential component of academic language. Students are expected to participate in a variety of language activities appropriate to both social and academic situations. Continuing cultural comparisons of food, clothing, family and religious customs, and holidays, students will delve deeper into US rights, responsibilities, attitudes, and expectations toward social behaviors including study habits, gender equity, and racial equity, as well as violence, offensive language, and behavioral norms, both in and out of school settings.

They will expand vocabulary with both general and specific vocabulary for their various areas of study: mathematics, science, ELA, and social studies. The different styles of discourse of these disciplines are discussed, and beginning formal writing is emphasized. Oral presentations will be performed in class, along with academic discussion, and students will depend less on translation and more on English-only explanations. Expect beginning literary analysis, academic vocabulary quizzes, written homework, and a midyear and a final exam.

ESL 4-5

Grades 9 - 12

Prerequisite: A score of 4.0-5.0 on the WIDA Screener or the ACCESS test.

This course is a continuation of the academic English skills introduced in ESL 3 or in the student’s home country. The class is taught in English and the students are expected to use only English in class. Formal non-fiction writing, literary analysis, and poetry analysis will be combined with explicit grammar, mechanics of writing, proofreading, and peer editing to prepare students for mainstream and advanced Language Arts classes, college, and business. Oral presentations will be performed in class, and there will be further exploration of cultural topics. There is peer and teacher support for academic work in content classes. Expect grade level reading, academic vocabulary quizzes, dictations, note-taking, lecture, video and audio presentations of lesson content, essay writing, written homework, and a mid-year and a final exam.