English Language Learners (ELL) are students whose primary language is one other than English and who may require additional services in order to succeed within British Columbia’s school system.*

The program of courses is designed to help students acquire language skills that will enable them to be integrated into the provincial curriculum-based English courses. Each English Language Learner will be assessed and appropriate classes selected to meet that student’s individual needs.

Students may be referred to ELL courses by counselors, teachers or parents. On-going assessment of acquired English fluency will determine exit from these courses and entry into the provincial curriculum-based academic courses. Additional summer school courses are strongly recommended for students to increase competencies in English.   

ORGANIZATION FOR TEACHING

Student’s assessment will indicate the level of competency. This competency will designate the type of instruction the student receives. Classes will be organized to accommodate junior and senior students.

Descriptors of Competency:

• Level 1: Beginning: Student is starting to learn English. Direct ELL support is needed in scheduled language support blocks.
• Level 2: Developing: Student is beginning to communicate in simple English using basic vocabulary and grammatical structures. . Direct ELL support is needed in scheduled language support blocks.
• Level 3: Expanding: Student can communicate ideas in English using an expanding amount of vocabulary and grammatical structures.  . Student needs support with conversational and academic language. Direct ELL support is needed in scheduled language support blocks.
• Level 4: Consolidating: Student has proficient conversational language skills, but student may need support developing academic language.  Student may need direct ELL support classes or student may be recommended for Language Adapted classes.
• Level 5: Bridging: Student is approaching grade level language proficiency, but the student may need extra support in a given area such as speaking/listening, reading, or writing.    Student may need direct ELL support classes or student may be recommended for Language Adapted classes. Note: Language Adapted/ Courses:

This designation indicates support needed for English Language Learners; whereby, emphasis will be placed on acquiring academic language and understanding the core content of the curriculum.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNER OPTIONS

Placement is determined by student assessment designation and teacher recommendation.

TRANSITIONAL ENGLISH  8 / 9 Section 1 (ELL Levels 1, 2 and 3) Section 2 (ELL Levels 4 and 5)

(MEN–08ESL, MEN–09ESL)

Materials and coursework are adapted for ELL students to enable them to meet the learning outcomes of the provincial curriculum-based English Language Arts program.  Literature will include short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and non-fiction. Enrolment in transitional classes is based on the assessment of the student’s abilities in English.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT 8 / 9 (ELL Levels 1-5)

(MEN– 8ELD,  MEN–09ELD)

These courses are designed to support with the acquisition of academic language. Students will concentrate on learning strategies and skills to further develop academic literacy. The focus of these courses is on building  vocabulary, improving grammar, developing paragraph structure, and improving speaking and listening skills in order to collaborate with others.

TRANSITIONAL ENGLISH 10 (ELL Level 1,2 and 3)

(XSPBK0BESL ~ 0 CREDITS)

Enrollment in this class is based on the assessment of the student’s abilities in English. This course is designed for students  who are developing language acquisition and who are not yet ready to meet the learning outcomes of English 10. Materials and coursework are adapted to meet the needs of the ELL student.  Literature will include short stories, novels, poetry, plays, and non-fiction.

LANGUAGE  AND CULTURAL LITERACY 10 (ELL Level 1,2 and 3)

(YLE–0AACL ~ 4 CREDITS)

This course is designed to help students build academic and cultural literacy in order to succeed across the curriculum.   Students will build their writing skills by focusing on specialized language, sentence structure and paragraph structure.  Students will develop their reading skills, cultural literacy and academic language as they explore Canadian themes in a variety of genres

LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL LITERACY 11 (ELL Level 1,2 and 3)

(YLE-1AACL ~ 4 CREDITS)

This course is designed to help students further develop the skills needed for academic and cultural literacy in a senior academic environment.  Students will develop their writing skills by focusing on academic language, paragraph structure and essay structure.  Students will explore more complex Canadian literature in order to develop their reading skills and cultural literacy.

LANGUAGE  AND CULTURAL LITERACY 12 (ELL Level 1,2 and 3)

(YLE–2AACL ~ 4 CREDITS)

This course is designed to help students enhance the skills needed for academic and cultural literacy in grade 12 and post secondary education.  Students will develop their writing skills by focusing on various academic essay structures.  Students will explore Canadian themes through various research projects in order to enhance their reading skills and cultural literacy.

BAA ACADEMIC WRITING  11 (ELL Levels 4 and 5)

(YLE–1BESL ~ 4 CREDITS)

The course is intended for students (grades 10-12) who wish to enhance their writing skills in order to write effectively at the level expected of them in Grades 11 and 12.  Students will be introduced to the major components of the writing process, various essay types and essay writing.