Middle School English as an Additional Language

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Middle School EAL Program

The Middle School English as an Additional Language (EAL) Program is designed to develop English language competency of multilingual learners to meet grade-level, subject-specific, and school expectations. The EAL department scaffolds language acquisition in content and academic concepts to support students so they can access the mainstream curriculum. Multilingual learners are placed in their grade-level mainstream humanities, math and science courses. As needed, an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course provides support for these mainstream classes while developing academic vocabulary and reading skills.

The Middle School (MS) English as an Additional Language (EAL) program:

  • Fosters English language development holistically for students based on their level of need 
  • Support is based on the students’ level of English Language proficiency, as defined by the WIDA MODEL Performance Definitions and WIDA Can Do Descriptors 
  • Taking into account multiple sources of English language development data, students are placed into either an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) or English for Academic Purposes Plus (EAP Plus) class
  • The purpose of these classes is to develop and refine content-based English language skills in the areas of speaking, listening, reading, and writing
  • In addition to delivering EAP classes, each grade level has an EAL teacher that works collaboratively with the grade level teaching team and supports multilingual learners in core classes 
  • Development of home language, celebration of linguistic and cultural diversity and intentional use of translanguaging for linguistic development are fostered within the middle school’s culture