English as a Second Language (ESL) Courses
751131 Foundations of English Language and Literacy (Weight – 1.1) 1.0 credit
This course is a regular education English course designed to meet the communication and literacy needs of students who are Entering (0-1.9) or Beginning (2.0-2.9) English language learners. Students will develop basic interpersonal communication skills in English through listening, speaking, reading and writing components. Students will also develop the beginning academic language in English for listening, speaking, reading and writing to help students understand English in content classes. Course content emphasizes conversational skills, vocabulary development, guided and shared reading with limited independent reading, basic grammar and writing instruction and culture studies. Periodic, on-going assessment and testing is both formal and informal to gauge the student’s acquisition of language and his/her understanding of English content. A summative final exam is given. Students must achieve a 2.9 English language proficiency level to advance to the next course level with teacher approval.
751231 Basic English Language and Literacy (Weight – 1.1) 1.0 credit
This course is a basic level regular education English course designed to meet the literacy and academic language needs of students who are high beginning (2.5), developing (3), or beginning expanding (4) English language learners. Students will develop and refine intermediate academic communication skills in listening, speaking, reading and writing and use those skills with academic content. Course content is structured to move students toward meeting PA Standards. Emphasis is placed on development of background knowledge, vocabulary knowledge, grammar, reading comprehension and writing. Periodic, on-going assessment and testing is formal and informal to gauge both the student’s continuing acquisition of language as a reader and writer in English, as well as to measure student understanding of course content and application of skills. A summative final exam is required. Students must achieve at least a 3.5 English language proficiency level to advance to the next course level with teacher approval.
751331 Advanced Academic English Language and Literacy (Weight – 1.1) 1.0 credit
This course is an academic level regular education English course designed to meet the literacy and academic language needs of English language learners who are highly expanding (4.0) or bridging (4.5-5.0) in language acquisition and/or who demonstrate strong literacy skills and performance in content classes. This course is designed for college-bound students. Students will be required to use a high level of academic English in reading, writing, and speaking through a variety of contexts in order to meet PA Standards and perform well on the Keystone Literature Exam. Students will develop high-level vocabulary knowledge, deepen reading skills and literary analysis, refine their speaking skills, and meet academic writing requirements for writing, research writing, and essay writing. Periodic, on-going assessment and testing is both formal and informal to measure the student’s ability as a proficient reader and writer in English. A summative final exam is required. Students must meet all the PA state requirements for exiting ESL in order to move on to a grade-level English class the following year.
914545 Literature Strategies (Weight – 1.1) 0.5 credits
Literature Strategies provides English language support specifically for Intermediate and Advanced English language learners. Students will develop high-level vocabulary knowledge, build their critical thinking skills, deepen their reading analysis skills, and refine their speaking and writing skills by engaging in opportunities for exchanging information in both spoken and written form. Students enrolled in this course must be part of the English Language Development program and score at the Intermediate or Advanced proficiency level.