English Language Support

The English Language Learning (ELL) team is comprised of specialists who work throughout the school with the common goal of providing targeted support for English language learners. In the Primary School, our ELL teachers are integrated into the classroom, supporting English acquisition within the context of the regular learning environment. These teachers also provide targeted interventions and regular diagnostic testing using the WIDA educational consortium model. Beyond the classroom, our Primary School ELL teachers take part in collaborative planning sessions within grade level teaching teams to help further incorporate appropriate content into instruction and assessment.

In the Secondary School, our ELL teachers support students acquiring English through leveled acquisition classes. These classes are leveled into “Phases” 1-5, as suggested by the IB MYP Programme. Students operating at a Phase 1-4 level also take an additional English support class entitled, English for Academic Purposes, in place of an additional language to support their academic language development. Using the WIDA model, our Secondary School ELL teachers collaborate with subject-specific colleagues to ensure the our English language learners are able to access the curriculum. As an English-medium school all lessons, apart from other language courses, are taught in English. Our teachers take the language needs of all learners into account when teaching their lessons. We believe that all teachers are responsible for ensuring the needs of English Language Learners are considered. Though there are language support specialists working with students throughout the school, the majority of support happens within the context of mainstream lessons.