Supporting English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 8
Supporting English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 8
Supporting English Language Learners in Grades 1 to 8
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Section 2 Work<strong>in</strong>g <strong>to</strong>gether <strong>to</strong> support <strong>English</strong> language learners<br />
Placement and programm<strong>in</strong>g<br />
A student’s level of proficiency <strong>in</strong> <strong>English</strong> will not <strong>in</strong>fluence the choice of grade placement. In<br />
elementary schools, <strong>English</strong> language learners will be placed with an age-appropriate group.<br />
<strong>English</strong> language learners should be placed <strong>in</strong> a grade-level or subject-specific classroom<br />
for at least part of each day.<br />
<strong>English</strong> <strong>Language</strong> <strong>Learners</strong>/ESL and ELD Programs and Services: Policies and Procedures for Ontario<br />
Elementary and Secondary Schools, K<strong>in</strong>dergarten <strong>to</strong> Grade 12, 2007, 2.4.2 and 2.4.3.<br />
Programm<strong>in</strong>g is key <strong>to</strong> support<strong>in</strong>g ELLs <strong>in</strong> their school environment. Students’<br />
academic and social development is enhanced <strong>in</strong> an environment where they are<br />
able <strong>to</strong> engage <strong>in</strong> the learn<strong>in</strong>g process with peers. Information gathered from<br />
academic records, from parents, and through the <strong>in</strong>itial assessment <strong>in</strong>forms<br />
programm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> the age-appropriate classroom and determ<strong>in</strong>es the amount and<br />
type of ESL or ELD support.<br />
<strong>English</strong> language learners have the double challenge of learn<strong>in</strong>g the language of<br />
<strong>in</strong>struction while they are learn<strong>in</strong>g the grade-level curriculum. When the necessary<br />
curriculum accommodations or modifications are <strong>in</strong> place, students can<br />
successfully participate <strong>in</strong> all content areas even at beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g levels of <strong>English</strong><br />
proficiency. The practical and <strong>in</strong>teractive nature of some subject areas, such<br />
as the arts, health and physical education, and some aspects of science and<br />
technology, may make them especially accessible for <strong>English</strong> language learners.<br />
Some students may arrive with limited prior school<strong>in</strong>g. With <strong>in</strong>formed and flexible<br />
support from the ESL or ELD teacher, where available, and from classroom<br />
teachers, learn<strong>in</strong>g can be accelerated by build<strong>in</strong>g background content knowledge<br />
and by support<strong>in</strong>g language development.<br />
Newcomer families may require explanations <strong>to</strong> understand school placement<br />
and promotion <strong>in</strong> the Ontario school system.<br />
ESL and ELD programs and delivery models<br />
School boards will implement programs and services that will enable <strong>English</strong> language<br />
learners <strong>to</strong> cont<strong>in</strong>ue their education while learn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>English</strong>.<br />
<strong>English</strong> <strong>Language</strong> <strong>Learners</strong>/ESL and ELD Programs and Services: Policies and Procedures for Ontario<br />
Elementary and Secondary Schools, K<strong>in</strong>dergarten <strong>to</strong> Grade 12, 2.5.1.<br />
In Ontario elementary schools, ESL and ELD support is provided <strong>to</strong> enable ELLs<br />
<strong>to</strong> fully access the grade level curriculum. Because students spend a portion<br />
or all of their day <strong>in</strong> the regular classroom, the classroom teacher works with a<br />
school- or board-designated ESL or ELD expert <strong>to</strong> plan programs that facilitate<br />
<strong>English</strong> language proficiency. All teachers share the responsibility for the<br />
development of the <strong>English</strong> language skills of their students.<br />
<strong>Support<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>English</strong> <strong>Language</strong> <strong>Learners</strong> <strong>in</strong> <strong>Grades</strong> 1 <strong>to</strong> 8 37