E.S.L. Program

The ESL Department at Marist Brothers International School serves a wide range of English Language Learners (ELLs) through a combination of pull-out, sheltered, and academic support programs. Our belief is that language learning is a process that each student masters at his or her own pace. The goal of the department is to develop the ELL's social and academic language skills through Language Arts and content focused courses in a small class environment.

Elementary School Courses:

Students in grades 1 through 6 go to the ESL classrooms during their grade level Language Arts block. The small class environment of the ESL classroom provides the students with ample opportunity to practice speaking and listening. The reading program utilizes a combination of the Moving Into English ESL Reading Anthologies, the Houghton-Mifflin grade level Reading Anthologies, and age appropriate novels for the Upper Elementary ELL students. During the Reading class, the students focus on phonics, high frequency words, vocabulary, comprehension, reading strategies, and literary elements. Students practice specific grammar topics through oral and written activities. These grammar topics are also linked to the reading selections and writing assignments as much as possible. In addition, students participate in a Writing Workshop in which they explore English through creative assignments. Students work on constructing sentences, paragraphs, and multi-paragraph works while learning about and implementing the various steps of the Writing Process and the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing.

During the second semester, ELLs in grades 4, 5, and 6 may receive support through Sheltered Science and Social Studies. The ESL teacher works with the students to cover the content and readings from the textbooks. The ELLs and the ESL teacher join the mainstream classes for projects and special activities.

Upper School Courses:

Students in grades 7 and 8 go to the ESL classrooms during their grade level English period for specialized instruction in the supportive environment of a small class. The reading program utilizes McDougal Littell grade level anthologies and abridged novels. Students focus on vocabulary, comprehension, reading strategies, literary elements, and literary devices. Students practice specific grammar topics through oral and written activities, and the topics are linked when possible to the reading selections. The writing program focuses on developing the students ability to apply grammar to writing for specific purposes such as literature response, research reports, or persuasive works. In addition, the students learn about and implement the Writing Process and the 6 + 1 Traits of Writing.

ELL students in grade 7 may participate in the 7th grade Sheltered Geography course. The ESL teacher works closely with the Geography teacher to provide instruction and support for the ELLs. The ELLs join the mainstream Geography course for special projects and activities.

In addition, the 7th and 8th grade ELLs go to the ESL classroom during their grade level Foreign Language period to receive content area support. The Upper School ESL teachers frequently communicate with the Math, Science, Religion, Health, and Social Studies teachers to keep up to date with the material covered in these classes so that they can assist the students with their content area work.

Any student in grades 7, 8, and 9 may participate in the English for Academic Purposes course, which focuses on vocabulary and reading in the content areas. This course meets during the Options period.

The Writing Skills course is designed to provide content area language support for any student in grades 10, 11, or 12. Participants in this class focus on developing the written language skills necessary for excelling in their content area courses. This course meets during the Options or Elective periods.