Helping English language learners thrive

Did you know that many of our students are doing something that many of us parents never did? That is receiving an education in a non-native language.

Moving to a new school, city, or country is challenging, and life gets more challenging when you are asked to write an essay, give a presentation, or solve complex equations in another language. Understanding these challenges is where our committed English Language Support (ELS) department comes in and plays a big part in the educational journey of our English language learners.

The department comprises a team of dedicated educators who continually assess, monitor, observe, and regularly adjust the English services provided to each student under their care, ensuring English language progress is made.

A brief summary of our English program process for our students is as follows:

• Language development

Modifications to assignments or instructions are made to meet and support language development.

• Mainstream support

Additional accommodations are implemented on the contents of mainstream lessons and assignments. These accommodations include the ELS teacher being present in the classroom to assist students in understanding the content being taught.

• English Center Support

Continual practice and revision of the English language in an academic setting. Classroom teachers and ELS teachers regularly meet to determine ways to assist students in progressing in their language learning.

• After school support

For Grades 3 to 5 students, additional opportunities to practice English are provided through an interactive program called LEVEL. For Grade 6 to 10 students, after-school classes are provided twice a week to assist with the study for assessments.

• Assessment

WIDA testing is conducted at the end of each semester to measure students' English proficiency levels and whether they need to remain in the ELS program.

We celebrate the perseverance and achievements of our English language learners and our ELS Department for their commitment to providing a comprehensive program to ensure our students gain the language skills required to thrive at school.