ELL Coordinator and Teachers

Each school in our division welcomes and offers support for English Language Learners (ELLs). Depending on ELL student numbers, our schools offer a variety of supports in English as a Second Language (ESL) programming while ensuring that each child develops a sense of belonging to the school community. ELL students and parents are also often invited to enrich our schools by sharing their own culture. When ELL students arrive, we welcome them with an Intake Assessment which includes a family interview and a series of tests that allow our schools to see what the student can do according to the Alberta Education English as a Second Language Benchmarks. Based on this initial assessment, the best possible program for the ELL is created and implemented in the school.

The student may receive one or more of the following supports:

Pull Out – The student is pulled out of the class for regular help in English language learning by one of our ELL Teachers.

In Class – The student is helped alone or in a group in the class with English language learning by the classroom teacher, by an Educational Assistant or by the Learning Support Leader.

Clinical - The student is taken from his or her regular class on a short-term basis (usually one or three times per week) to target a very specific skill that has been identified as requiring further development. As often as possible, the school will try to group students who also need the same support together for this lesson.

Monitor – The student progress is monitored by either the homeroom teacher or ESL Head of the school to ensure that any needs that arise are met.

Sheltered – The student receives instruction in English language learning in an environment with other ELLs (English Language Learners).

Beyond these possible supports in the school, ELLs may also have the opportunity to become a part of the ELL Enhanced Reading program which is designed to create a love for reading and to reinforce literacy skills while reading at their level. Please see the Enhanced Reading link for more information.