COURSE TITLE: ESL-Bridging Communication - 1 hr
GRADE LEVEL: 10-12
CODE: LAA601
COURSE LENGTH: 36 weeks
Major Concepts/Content: The English as a Second Language course Bridging Communication is designed for the advanced English language learner who is at a level four English language proficiency level. This course focuses on expanding the student’s range of vocabulary, refining grammatical structures, sharpening writing skills, and developing critical reading and thinking skills. All areas of communication skills are strengthened through the integrated learning of language and academic content. The content includes, but is not limited to, the development of academic listening and speaking skills through dialogues, conversations, lectures, presentations, and oral reporting; the development of reading strategies, in both fiction and nonfiction, through previewing, inferring, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating written material; and the development of writing, both factual and creative, at all stages of the writing process including brainstorming, outlining, prewriting, responding to peer writing, revising, editing, and publishing. Vocabulary, syntax, and verbal skills necessary for the world of work and/or for mastering content curriculum standards are presented and developed in context and 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, note-taking, following oral directions, participating in conversations and discussions, responding to information, oral reporting and presentations, pronunciation practice, and Reader’s Theater. Activities to improve comprehension of written English, both fiction and nonfiction, will include, but will not be limited to, previewing reading selections, decoding vocabulary from context, restating or summarizing materials, using reference materials, and recognizing plot elements, tone, voice and genre. Writing activities include sentence, paragraph, and essay writing in a variety of forms, letter writing, research and report writing, note-taking, use of graphic organizers, and creative writing of dialogues, stories, plays, and poetry. Instructional activities to support the student in mastering the general content standards will include, but not limited to, pre-teaching the language or vocabulary, activating prior knowledge, and building background knowledge of the content class material.
Major Evaluation 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.
Essential Objectives: Upon completion of the English as a Second Language course Bridging Communication, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate confidence and oral skills necessary to communicate effectively in an English academic environment
- Communicate verbally and nonverbally in socially and culturally appropriate ways
- Use an increasingly comprehensive vocabulary in conversation and discussion
- Speak with accurate/comprehensible English pronunciation
- Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies, such as graphic organizers
- Comprehend most grade-level written and oral English
- Apply learning strategies to improve comprehension and fluency
- Identify and understand how literary elements and techniques are used to convey meaning
- Engage in perceptive reading and critical analysis of literature
- Communicate information and ideas in a variety of written forms to accomplish different purposes
Last Revised: May 18th, 2009 at 2:35 pm.