Introduction

School Language Philosophy

Woodlawn High School works to support the individual language-learning needs of all students. The school philosophy is to support the language learning of all students, recognizing that language is central to culture, identity, expression and international mindedness. The belief is that all teachers are language teachers and that all students have a right to be supported in the language of instruction and in their mother tongues. This language policy was developed through discussion with various stakeholders, including teachers and administrators and later shared with parents and students. The policy was also developed in conjunction with fellow IB Coordinators in order to share best practices with respect to language acquisition in Nova Scotia public high schools and ensure the consistency of expectations for IB students across the Halifax Regional Center for Education (HRCE).

School Language Profile

Woodlawn High School is a public high school (grades 10 – 12) that offers its core courses in English. 95% of the school population consists of students whose first language is English. 3.9% of our students are part of the Nova Scotia International Student Program. About 4.5% of our students are Canadian residents or citizens with ‘English as an Additional Language’ (EAL). Woodlawn has two EAL teachers to support language learning: one who is responsible for the International Student Program and one who is responsible for Canadian EAL students.

As the vast majority of students at Woodlawn have English as their first language, English A: Literature HL is our Group 1 offering. If, however, a student entered the Diploma programme and were not proficient in English, s/he could be supported in pursuing a self-study in a language recognized by IB. This would be determined based on previous experiences and abilities, and would be decided after discussions with the student, teachers, parents and the IB coordinators.

Students in Nova Scotia begin studying French in elementary school; the Diploma programme offers French B at the standard level to build on this proficiency. There is also a strong French-speaking community in Nova Scotia and Canada and knowledge of the language is culturally important. Students who decide to pursue their studies in French B may have some previous immersion experience in early grades and/or French language classes as part of their public school program.

The school draws a small number of students whose native language is not English and has had no previous study of French. For these students, Woodlawn offers Spanish ab initio. Students who do not meet IB requirements for French B or Spanish ab initio could be supported in pursuing a self-study in another recognized language as the Group 2 study. As with Group 1 this would be determined based on previous experiences, abilities and would be decided in discussions with the student, IB Coordinators, parents and teachers.

Halifax Regional Center for Education/Nova Scotia Department of Education Policies

The mission statement of the Halifax Regional Center for Education (HRCE) is to: “provide students with a high quality of education every day.” Canada is a bilingual country; English and French are both recognized national languages. Beyond this there is a significant newcomer population for whom English and French are additional languages. In keeping with the HRCE’s mission statement, Woodlawn aims to provide instruction that meets the language needs of students and enriches their cultural understanding through language development. In producing this document, the following local and provincial policies were consulted:

• • HRCE French Second Language Policy

  • HRCE Assessment, Evaluation, and Communication of Student Learning Policy

  • Nova Scotia Department of Education Guidelines for English as a Second Language (ESL) Programming and Services

  • Nova Scotia Department of Education Special Education Policy Manual and supporting documents (e.g., Supporting Student Success and Gifted Education and Talent Development).

  • Nova Scotia Department of Education Information Item French Immersion Certificate and the International Baccalaureate

  • HRCE Race Relations, Cross Cultural Understanding and Human Rights in Learning

The following sections were of particular relevance to the development of this document:

HRCE French Second Language Policy:

1.1 The Halifax Regional Center for Education (HRCE) encourages all students to develop language skills which will assist them to live and function more effectively in their ethno-culturally diverse, bilingual country.

Halifax Regional Center for Education Assessment, Evaluation, and Communication of Student Learning Policy (Section 6.2):

6.2.1.1 Ensuring that individual students who require EAL programming services are provided with the appropriate assessment and evaluation methods and strategies to support their needs.

Current Practices

The Language Policy at Woodlawn High School continues to evolve based on students’ language learning needs, changing demographics and the school’s ability to continue to provide qualified staff.

The language of instruction at Woodlawn High School is English. English-speaking students enrolled in Nova Scotia Public Schools within HRCE begin learning French language skills when they are in elementary school. Some students are in English programming and take a daily French language class (Core French students). Other students choose to take the French Immersion program and study several of their classes using French as the language of instruction. Parents can choose to enroll students in French immersion as soon as they begin elementary school or they can choose to enroll students when they begin junior high.

Core French Students

Students who have taken core French classes take a French class designed for core French students in Grade 10 to prepare them for IB French B SL.

French Immersion Students

Former French immersion students take a French class designed for former immersion students in Grade 10 to prepare them for IB French B SL.

Students with no background in French

Students with no previous experience in French do not have to take a French class in Grade 10 although they may choose to if they wish. These students will be given the option to take Spanish ab initio when they enter the IB programme.

Mother Tongue Support

Approximately 4.5% of students at Woodlawn High School have a mother tongue that is not English or French. Students are assessed by the English as an Additional Language teacher and are provided with support in relation to language skills. Some of these students are able to pursue IB French B SL. Students who have a mother tongue that is not English, and who want to maintain their first language, could be offered the IB self-study option or English A: Literature SL in lieu of English A: Literature HL.

Specific Program Details

Group 1 – all students with English as their first language at Woodlawn High School study English A: Literature HL. Students who qualify for EAL support (students operating in a second or third language) will be given the option for taking English A: Literature SL or English A Literature School Supported Self-Taught as an alternative while being given additional support by classroom teachers and EAL teachers (when relevant). In the case of EAL students, course selection will be made in conjunction with the school administration and the IB Coordinators in order to ensure that the students are in the courses that best suit their language learning needs.

Group 2 – the majority of students study French B SL as their Group 2 language. Students with no previous French experience take Spanish ab initio.

Support for Teachers in Contributing to Language Development of Students

Woodlawn is able to support strategies for the teaching of language development across all subject areas in a variety of ways.

• Professional development on culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) is regularly offered to all staff as part of the HRCE’s commitment to professional development. CRP focuses on how teachers can reinforce students’ various cultural backgrounds - including mother tongue and dialects - in order to support students in the classroom

• EAL support staff work with classroom teachers to determine appropriate strategies and approaches to helping foster language learning in relation to students who are eligible for this support

• Teachers provide students with formative feedback on their written and oral communication in all classes in order to help students to develop their language skills.

Admission/Assessment

There are no entrance requirements to enroll in the IB Diploma programme at Woodlawn High School, other than successful completion of their Grade 10 Woodlawn Pre-IB courses. The programme supports students with their language needs through a variety of methods. The teachers are very supportive of the language learners in the school and strive to provide the language support that is needed so that students can learn content. Consistent with the HRCE Assessment, Evaluation, And Communication of Student Learning Policy, students are provided appropriate adaptations while learning a language. It is understood that language learning is the responsibility of all teachers.

There is a language profile of each student as part of the student’s school record. Each student is assessed for proficiency. Students are then advised by their teachers and the IB coordinators as to which language acquisition class to take, based on language history, proficiency and interest.

Additional Support

Classroom teacher support – teachers offer extra help to students to help foster language skills in English, French and Spanish ab initio.

EAL services – students are able to access support from an EAL teacher.

Peer Tutoring – there is an active peer tutoring system set up at the school. French students who are struggling are paired with proficient French students for speaking, listening, and writing support. Students learning English are also partnered with English speakers to help improve language skills.

Outside Tutors – there is a network of tutors available in the community. The local public library offers free tutoring. There are also several tutors available for hire and their contact information is readily available.

Library and Media Resources – There is a range of learning materials available to students through the school library.