LAA101: Expanding Comm S1 (2012-2013)
CURRICULUM PROGRAM: English as a Second Language
COURSE TITLE: Expanding Communication S1
CALENDAR YEAR: 2012-2013
GRADE LEVEL: 4-8
COURSE LENGTH: 18 weeks
Major Concepts/Content: The English as a Second Language course Expanding Communication is designed for students whose primary language is not English and who are at a level 3 English proficiency. The level 3 ELL is considered to be at an intermediate stage of English proficiency. The ELL demonstrates decrease in hesitancy and difficulty with academic language and is developing reading comprehension and writing skills. This course is designed to increase English language proficiency, enhance academic language through direct instruction, and develop learning strategies to meet the demands of learning English and learning academic content through English. Communication skills, i.e. listening, speaking, viewing, reading and writing, are strengthened through the integrated learning of language and academic content. Content includes, development of both social and academic listening and speaking skills through dialogues, conversations, chants, role-playing, and oral reporting; the development of reading strategies, in both fiction and nonfiction, through previewing, determining main idea and details, inferring, analyzing, and evaluating written material; and the development of writing, both factual and creative, at all stages of the writing process including prewriting, drafting, responding to peer writing, revising, editing, and publishing. Vocabulary, syntax, grammar, and verbal skills necessary for the world of work and/or mastering content curriculum standards are presented and developed in authentic situations.
Major Instructional Activities: Instructional activities will be provided in individual, small group and whole class settings. Student activities will include, but will not be limited to, improving speaking and listening skills through listening to material for information and response, following oral directions, participating in conversations and discussions, responding to information, oral reading and reporting, pronunciation practice, language games and Reader’s Theater. Activities to develop and improve comprehension of written English, both fiction and nonfiction, include, previewing reading selections, decoding vocabulary from context, determining main idea and details, restating or summarizing materials, using reference materials, and recognizing plot elements. Writing activities include sentence, paragraph, essay, letter writing, note-taking and creative writing of dialogues, stories, plays, and poetry. Instructional activities to support the student in mastering general content standards include, pre-teaching the language or vocabulary, activating prior knowledge, building background content knowledge and developing learning strategies.
Major Evaluative Techniques: Students will be evaluated on skill growth in the comprehending and creating of written and spoken English. Evaluation instruments include both summative and formative assessments such as: interdisciplinary activities, projects, diagnostic testing, content-based tests, and both teacher- and textbook-created assessments.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of the English as a Second Language course, Developing Communication, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate confidence in social interactions.
- Use English in socially and culturally appropriate ways.
- Demonstrate oral skills necessary to communicate effectively in social and academic environments.
- Understand and verbalize concrete and abstract experiences.
- Speak with comprehensible English pronunciation.
- Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies, such as graphic organizers.
- Apply learning strategies to improve comprehension and fluency.
- Comprehend written material, and respond to and evaluate it orally and in writing.
- Write accurate English sentences and paragraphs in a variety of forms.
- Write both factually and creatively in English for both social and academic purposes.
- Actively participate in the general education content classroom.