ESL

Secondary Information Guide
Transition of Elementary ESL/ELD Students
to Secondary School

As a student prepares to move to secondary school, a final assessment should be carried out by the ESL teacher to determine their stage of language proficiency. The ESL/ELD Resource Group of Ontario (ERGO) has developed both an Elementary and a Secondary English Language Proficiency assessment instrument that may be useful for this purpose.

NOTE: Students may substitute up to three ESL or ELD courses for compulsory English credit requirements.

Secondary English as a Second Language courses include:

• ESL AO This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce them to the English language and help them adjust to their new environment. Students use beginning language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes. This is equivalent to a Stage 1 student.
• ESL BO This course expands students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for everyday and academic purposes. Students participate in structured conversations, read a variety of adapted texts, expand their knowledge of grammatical structures and sentence patterns, and expand their knowledge of Canadian schools. This is equivalent to a Stage 1-2 student.
• ESL CO This course further extends students’ four skill areas. Students will make short oral presentations, read from a variety of adapted and original texts, and write using a variety of text forms. Students will also expand their study skills and their academic vocabulary, and introduces them to a variety of Canadian issues. This is equivalent to a Stage 2-3 student.
• ESL DO This course prepares students to use English with increasing fluency and accuracy in classroom and social situations, and to participate in Canadian society as informed citizens. Students will develop reading, writing, and oral presentation skills in all subject areas. Students will study and interpret a variety of grade-level texts and extend their ability to research and respond critically. This is equivalent a Stage 3 student.  As a student prepares to move to secondary school, a final assessment should be carried out by the ESL teacher to determine their stage of language proficiency. The ESL/ELD Resource Group of Ontario (ERGO) has developed both an Elementary and a Secondary English Language Proficiency assessment instrument that may be useful for this purpose.
• ESL EO This course provides students with the skills and strategies to make the transition to college and university preparation courses in English and other secondary school disciplines. Students will be encouraged to develop independence in a range of academic tasks, in writing essays and narratives, in applying learning strategies and research skills effectively, and learn to respond critically to print and media works. This is a bridge course for university or college preparation English courses. It is not generally appropriate for a grade 9 ESL student.

Secondary English Literacy Development Courses

NOTE: Students may substitute up to three ESL or ELD courses for compulsory English credit requirement

ELD courses provide an accelerated program of literacy development for students who have significant gaps in their education. These courses are for students of all language backgrounds who have recently arrived from countries where access to education may have been very limited. Some have had few opportunities to develop literacy skills in any language. These students could include those from English speaking countries where a different dialect of English was spoken.

The five levels of ELD courses include:

• ELD AO This course is intended for English language learners who have had limited access to schooling and thus have significant gaps in their first-language literacy skills. Students will use basic listening and speaking skills to communicate for everyday purposes; develop readiness skills for reading and writing; begin to read highly adapted passages; and use basic language structures and patterns. This is equivalent to a Stage 1 ELD student.
• ELD BO This course is intended for English language learners who have had limited access to schooling and thus have significant gaps in their first-language literacy skills. Students will use their developing listening and speaking skills to communicate for a variety of purposes; learn to read a variety of simple texts; produce simple forms of writing; expand their vocabulary; increase their knowledge of grammatical structures; and build their knowledge of Canada. This is equivalent to a Stage 2 ELD student.
• ELD CO This course builds on students’ growing literacy and language skills and extends their ability to communicate about familiar and school-related topics. Students will make brief oral presentations; improve theirliteracy skills trough supported reading and writing tasks; and engage in cooperative learning activities. Students will do short research projects, and broaden their understanding of Canadian citizenship. This is equivalent to Stage 3 ELD.
• ELD DO This course extends students’ literacy skills and ability to apply learning strategies effectively. Students will communicate with increasing accuracy and fluency for a variety of academic and everyday purposes; perform a variety of guided reading and writing tasks; use media and community sources for supported research projects; and participate more fully in Canadian society. This is for a student in transition from Stage 3 to 4.
• ELD EO This course provides students with skills and strategies that will allow them to continue their education and pursue pathways to employment. Students will communicate orally and in writing on a variety of topics; perform a variety of independent reading and writing tasks; interpret and create media texts; and use a range of media and community resources. This is for a student in ELD Stage 4.

Guide to ESL/ELD Placement for Grade 8 Students entering High School

The charts below will assist schools in helping ESL and ELD students from grade 8 make the transition to high school equivalent-level courses.

1. The word “Stages” or “Levels” is used at the elementary level, but not at the high school level. Instead, high schools use course codes to indicate ELD/ESL levels of proficiency.
2. All secondary ESL and ELD language courses are coded “O” for “Open.” This means they are not streamed as either “Academic” or “Applied.” Also, no ESL or ELD language course is tied to any grade level. Therefore, any student in any grade who requires support may take the appropriate ESL or ELD course. Note: Grade 9 students do not generally take ESLEO unless they are very academic and operating strongly at a Stage 4 level.
3. Most students would be prepared for grade 10 regular English courses after completing ESLDO. After ESLEO students would be prepared for grade 11 or 12 regular English courses.

ESL: English as a Second Language

* The five ESL language courses are ESLAO, ESLBO, ESLCO, ESLDO, and ESLEO. Many are offered at the secondary schools that offer ESL language courses.

** Since grade 8 students in ESL Stage 4 are most likely mainstreamed and not necessarily receiving modifications to provincial expectations, we recommend that they take an Applied or Academic English course in grade 9.

NOTE: ESLEO is generally not an appropriate course for grade 9 students since its curriculum is intended as the bridge to college and university preparatory English curriculum courses.

Guide to ESL/ELD Placement for Grade 8 Students entering High School

ELDEO would prepare students for grade 10 English, applied, or grade 11 English, workplace.

ELD: English Literacy Development

** Since grade 8 students in ELD Stage 4 have already have met equivalent expectations for ELDEO, it is recommended that they take ESLCO in grade 9. It may also be advisable to demit these students from ELD in their elementary school and have them re-designated ESL before moving on to high school due to greater course selection.

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