Supporting English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 8

Table A3.5: ESL, Grades 7 and 8 – Orientation
Stage 1 Students begin to Stage 2 Students demonstrate
adapt to the new environment. understanding of and
They:
adaptation to the new
environment. They:
– find personally relevant – ask for assistance and
school locations
communicate needs
independently
– begin to participate in
– begin to adapt to a variety school activities, clubs, and
of teaching strategies used teams
in a Canadian classroom – continue to use, take pride
– begin to respond to social in, and respect the home
situations appropriately language
– demonstrate awareness – state basic information
of cultural differences and about the neighbourhood,
show pride in self and munici pality, province, and
culture
Canada
– begin to use community – interact with peers outside
resources, such as banks and own linguistic or cultural
stores
group
– begin to work with a partner – participate in controlled,
on a common academic task directed group work
– communicate critical needs – respect cultural differences
to school staff and peers and take pride in own
– understand and follow culture
essential school schedules, – respond with increasing
behaviour expectations, confidence to a variety of
routines, and emergency teaching strategies
procedures
– rely on the home language
and culture to think,
communicate, and process
new experiences
Stage 3 Students demonstrate
increasing understanding of
and involvement in the new
environment. They:
– clearly communicate
needs and seek assistance
in the school and in the
community
– continue to use and take
pride in the home language
– explain school norms,
routines, behaviour
expectations, and
emergency procedures to
new students, in English or a
shared first language
– participate in class, school,
and community activities
– respond appropriately to
most teaching approaches
– show increasing initiative in
group activities
– show sensitivity to and
appreciation of diverse
languages and cultures
Stage 4 Students demonstrate
growing awareness,
understanding, and
appreciation of their own and
others’ cultural heritage as part
of the Canadian context. They:
– contribute fully in
cooperative groups
– understand and respect
different cultural values
– show pride in and
knowledge of own culture
and language
– recognize the benefits and
responsibilities of living in a
diverse society
– discuss the significance
of some current events
at the local, national, and
international levels
– learn effectively from
a variety of teaching
approaches
– use resources in the school
and the surrounding
community
110 Supporting English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 8