Major Concepts/Content: English as a Second Language Building Communication is designed to prepare level one and level 2 English language learners (ELL) for success in academic subject areas. Academic language development, high-priority content, and direct instruction in learning strategies are integrated into lessons that encourage student analysis and critical thinking. The content includes topics such as an introduction to the American school system and school activities, community life, and major concepts and academic language associated with math, science, social studies, and literature. Cultural differences in such areas as school systems, methods of instruction, and testing systems are explored. Students are provided experiences that engage their higher level thinking skills as they use English for authentic purposes. The course prepares the student to participate fully in the regular school program.

Major Instructional Activities: Student activities include, but are not limited to, individual, small group, or whole class development of academic language skills needed to comprehend the core curriculum standards and direct instruction and practice in using learning strategies to acquire both academic language and content. Academic language would be learned in association with curriculum content, rather than in isolation. Content topics provide students with opportunities to think and reflect on relationships between their own cultural background and American secondary school curricula. Student activities will also include the development of learning strategies so that students become independent and self-directed learners and gain a variety of techniques to assist them in mastering academic content and language. Learning strategies include, but are not limited to, using prior knowledge, using selective attention in listening and reading, taking notes, making inferences, predicting, using resources, working cooperatively with peers, developing and using graphic organizers.

Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be evaluated on skills growth in comprehending and creating spoken and written English for academic purposes, and in the application of learning strategies to acquire both academic language and content. Assessment can be formal and informal. Formal assessment measures can include language proficiency tests, achievement measures in the content areas, and unit tests. Informal, or alternative assessments, can include teacher observations, holistic ratings of student writing, student journals, or self-ratings. Portfolio assessment is also recommended to monitor student growth.

Essential Objectives: Upon completion of ESL Building Communication, the ELL should be able to:

• Use English to interact in the classroom
• Use English to obtain, process, construct, and provide subject matter information in spoken and written form
• Use a variety of appropriate learning strategies to construct and apply academic knowledge
• Recognize and understand differences between their own culture and that of the US school system

Last Revised: March 14, 2006