Support for English Language Learners

Students accepted for admission to the Lower School, whose competence in the English Language is still developing, will be fully integrated in all of their classes, as we believe that at a young age, students learn best through full immersion in a new language environment. Beginning at Grade 1, student progress is checked twice a year to ensure that individual language skills are developing.

On occasion, a special ELL class may be offered for selected students in Middle School and in grades 9 and 10. Such a course is designed to enhance students’ proficiency in the English language by focusing on speaking, listening, reading and writing. The class is normally taken in place of a Modern Language class. This course is not offered in grades 11 and 12.

ELL classes aim to improve each student’s English proficiency and develop the confidence that will enable them to be successful in their other classes, as well as participate fully in the life of the school. ELL classes offer intensive instruction in English language development. Students attending this program are placed in the following levels based on their language proficiency skills.

• ESL 1: Low-Intermediate Level
• ESL 2: Intermediate Level
• ESL 3: High-intermediate Level
• ESL 4: Advance Level

The language proficiency skills of the students are evaluated at the end of every semester for promotion or retention. This program takes a progressive mainstream approach; hence, the ELL department equips every ELL student with the language and academic skills they need in mainstream classes.

After appropriate level placement, ELL students are expected to study in a given level for only one (1) semester before moving on to the higher level. Student performance, achievement, and grades are closely monitored while students are in the ELL program. In cases when ELL students fail to meet criteria for promotion, students are subject to academic discipline (academic warning and probation).

The language proficiency skills of the students are evaluated at the end of every semester for promotion or retention. Therefore, levels may only change at the end of first and second semester.

All teachers evaluate the language skills of ELL students for promotion and/or retention. This happens twice a year: December and May.
Factors considered for language skill evaluation are the following:

• Results of Standardized Testing (MAP)
• Teacher’s Evaluations
• Class Performance (Grades)