English Learners (EL) Department
EL is designed to support English Learners (those whose first language is NOT English) in their core academic classes. Each year a mandatory, standardized assessment is given (ACCESS) to those whose language level has been less than level 6 in the past. This assessment determines, along with grades and staff input, the level of language acquisition of each student. Descriptions of these levels can be found below.
In 2011-2012, the EL department is offering Academic Foundations to our EL 9-12th graders who have achieved a language level of 4.0 or below. This class will support the core academic areas with language development activities. In addition, there will be an English class for those at a language level 2.5 and below and a Fundamentals of Algebra class for those students who may not have the necessary background to take regular Algebra.
Language Levels: Learners can…
Level 1: Entering:
Follow one-step oral directions
Name objects, people, pictures
Identify concepts about print and text features
Label objects, pictures, and diagrams
Level 2: Beginning:
Follow two-step oral directions
Describe pictures, events, objects, people
Locate and classify information
Make lists
Level 3: Developing:
Follow multi-step oral directions
Retell stories or events
Sequence pictures, events, processes
Compare/contrast information
Level 4: Expanding:
Analyze and apply oral information
Give speeches, oral reports
Find details that support main ideas
Edit and revise writing
Level 5: Bridging:
Draw conclusions from oral information
Express and defend point of view
Draw conclusions from explicit and implicit text
Author multiple forms/genres of writing