High School Online Program of Studies

English Language Learning (ELL) Department

PHILOSOPHY

 

The mission of the ELL Department is to develop the English proficiency of students, enhance their academic achievement, and support classroom teachers to ensure quality instruction.

Beliefs about teaching ELL students:

  • A flexible, student-centered ELL program in a nurturing environment encourages student risk taking and promotes language acquisition.
  • Access to the mainstream curriculum at the appropriate instructional levels enables ELL students to gain proficiency more rapidly.
  • Content materials that integrate listening, speaking, reading, and writing enhance language acquisition.
  • Meaningful communication, collaboration, and interaction with teachers and peers in the classroom enable students to develop skills more quickly.
  • A variety of teaching strategies enables students to acquire language more efficiently.

Beliefs about learning English:

  • Students learn best when their cultural identities are valued.
  • Language development may include a silent period during which learning takes place.
  • Language proficiency includes both social and academic language skills.
  • While students may require seven to ten years to become proficient in English, they exit the ELL program when they are able to continue learning English independently.
  • Literacy in the first language facilitates the development of literacy in the second language.
  • Reading widely in any language improves all aspects of language proficiency.
  • Language proficiency continues to develop after students exit the ELL program.
  • Students can learn more than one language simultaneously.

 

 

English Language Learning (ELL) Courses Offered 2023-2024

INTERMEDIATE ELL (9/10)

ADVANCED ELL (9/10)

 

 

 


ADVANCED ELL (9/10)
 

Course Description:

Advanced ELL students in grades 9 and 10 prepare for continuing independently in the regular English program in Grades 11 and 12. Academic vocabulary, listening and reading comprehension, and expository writing skills are stressed. The emphasis in reading is on analytical skills and on selecting appropriate strategies for varying reading needs. Writing skills are developed using the Wida Writing Rubric as an instructional tool. 

Advanced ELL students take the ELL course in addition to a complete program of academic classes. At the end of the year, academic credit is awarded for all classes, including English. The ELL course is graded Pass / Fail. Advanced ELL students will receive Pass / Fail grades on their report card for their regular G9/G10 English class but are expected to participate fully, take all required English assessments, and receive a passing grade. Advanced ELL students earn letter grades for their Social Studies courses (G9 WCS or G10 MWH).

ELL assessments are designed specifically for ELL students. They measure the student’s overall English language proficiency and are based on the Wida Model (Measure of Developing English Language) tests which are administered twice a year, usually in October and in April.

 

  
 

Prerequisites:

Intermediate ELL or placement based on testing and/or ELL teacher approval.

 

 

  
 

Credit:

1.0 credit per year or 0.5 per semester.

  
 

Length of Course:

One or two years, determined by individual progress, ELL teacher’s decision and/or in consultation with the student’s subject area teachers. Students exit ELL after Grade 10.

  
 

Texts:

Choice of materials depends on the needs of the students.

  
  Requirements: