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English Language Department

The goal of the English Language Department is to meet students where they are and support their English skills growth to find greater success in the mainstream classroom. Not only is it important for students to engage in English in their classes, but it is also vital for students to engage in English outside the classroom and take advantage of opportunities across all areas of Christchurch School. By working on language development and learning about cultural norms in the classroom, students can better engage with their peers outside the classroom and more easily build connections to classroom learning. Students engage in studies crossing the four main areas of language development; Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing as well as develop strong critical thinking skills and cultural awareness of the communities where they live and the larger global community to truly embrace 21st century learning. The program follows the CEFR framework to better place students in a skill and competencies-based curriculum focusing on best practices for language acquisition and aid in student’s mastery of the English language.

*ESL - Humanities

ESL Humanities: The year-long ESL Humanities course follows closely to the curriculum of the 9th and 10th grade Humanities courses but with readings and projects that are appropriate for learners at this level. In this sheltered English class, students will investigate topics around identity development and how communities work together to look beyond oneself and work towards a common goal. This course will include diverse literary topics from around the world and will set the foundation for students to become active, engaged, and curious readers. This class will be taken in conjunction with the Foundations of English course. Upon successful completion of ESL Humanities, students will be enrolled in grade level humanities. Placement in the course will be based on results from the placement test given at time of enrollment.
*ESL - Foundations of English

Foundations of English: Foundations of English is the first level in the ESL program. The goal of this year-long introductory course is to set the foundation for English learners. These students will focus on foundational grammatical skills, improving sentence structure, identifying parts of speech, and reading and listening to level appropriate passages on a variety of real-world topics. This course will work in tandem with the ESL Humanities course and students will be enrolled in both courses to maximize language acquisition at the introductory level. Placement in the course will be based on results from the placement test given at time of enrollment.
*ESL - Intermediate English Skills

Intermediate English Skills: In this year-long course, students will continue to build on the foundational skills. Students at this level can communicate and understand familiar topics and find success in everyday situations but still struggle in unexpected situations and with more complex academic language. This course focuses on investigating more complex aspects of language and grammar as well as working throughout the year to help students achieve grade-level reading skills. Students will also develop stronger writing skills, mastering paragraph level writing and beginning to write structured essays. Students will complete projects and investigations on a variety of relative topics and work to better understand the community in which they live. Placement in the course is determined by either successful completion of the Foundations course or placement results from the placement test given at time of enrollment.
*ESL - Advanced English Skills

Advanced English Skills: In this advanced course, students will work to master essay writing and research skills. They will read complex, grade level texts, and be able to present on a variety of topics that are both familiar and unfamiliar. This course will examine 21st century challenges within society and students will work to problem solve and think critically about these challenges. By the end of the course, students will complete a research project that includes performing research, interviewing experts in the field, and completing a full-scale research paper with a corresponding presentation. This course will give students the confidence they need to be able to participate fully in all aspects of life on and off campus. Enrollment in this course is by teacher recommendation and successful completion of Intermediate English Skills or based on results from the placement test given at time of enrollment.