English Language Acquisition
Highly supportive language learning environments
With a truly international student body, encompassing children from many countries, cultures, and linguistic backgrounds, the MBIS English Language Learner (ELL) Department is an integral part of the MBIS academic program. Our qualified, well-experienced teachers work closely with students at both the Elementary and Upper School levels, with a primary mission to support student development of academic English, so that they can successfully access the mainstream curriculum at MBIS. ELL support classes are offered for students in grades 1-8.
Our ELL program includes:
- Highly supportive, small class environments.
- Leveled courses - Beginner and Intermediate. The former focuses on essential skills and understanding, while the latter serves to gradually integrate students into the mainstream, utilizing adapted mainstream content and programs.
- A focus on developing all four language domains: speaking, reading writing, and listening.
Curriculum overview
Grades 1-3
ELL 1/2/3A
The ELL 1/2/3A class is the entry level ELL course offered in grades 1–3. In this course the goal is to help students develop and acquire basic grammar and attain successful academic growth in the English-speaking school. This course meets each day for two periods. We focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening through various projects, reading units, grammar exercises and vocabulary studies. In addition, the Words Their Way program offers a differentiated spelling instruction and learning.
Reading
This course will mainly focus on reading short stories from a literature textbook. Students will be exposed to a variety of fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Along with reading literature, students will work on reading comprehension, critical reading skills, literary elements, vocabulary, word knowledge and spelling. In addition to the classroom reading, the students are assigned to read every day at home.
Writing
There are six major writing projects throughout the year: narrative, procedural, friendly letter, descriptive, research, and compare and contrast. The students focus on using the writing process, self-editing and peer-editing. The students will familiarize themselves with different types of writing through modeled writing and group writing. In addition to the writing projects, students work to improve their writing through other assignments such as journaling, reading responses, proofreading practice, writing skills practice, and peer/group work.
Grammar
In ELL 1/2/3A, the goal is for students to develop and acquire basic English grammar. Lessons include discussions that elicit the focus grammar, explicit teaching of rules, activities that require various forms of response, and writing activities. Students will also work on grammar points that connect with the writing projects they complete.
ELL 2/3 B
The ELL 2/3B class is the higher level ELL course offered in grades 2–3. In this course the goal is to continue working towards English language proficiency and to prepare students for the eventual transition into mainstream. This course meets each day for two periods. We focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening through various projects, reading units, grammar exercises and vocabulary studies.
Reading
This course will mainly focus on equipping transitioning ELL students with the skills needed to be successful, independent readers. Over the course of the year, students will read many books and are encouraged to do as good reader's do in exploring different genres, authors, and texts.
The course emphasizes the interaction between readers and text. Students learn to ask questions, make connections with prior knowledge and previously read texts, and ask questions to clarify faulty comprehension they recognize has occurred. Students will also learn to apply critical thinking skills, build reading stamina and agency, and acquire vocabulary.
The course includes peer conferences and teacher conferences with students but emphasizes students' independence and allows them to become successful, independent readers as they get ready for the mainstream.
Writing
This course is designed to help transitioning students become equipped, confident and independent writers. Students will engage in the writing process by selecting topics, drafting, revising, editing, and publishing their original work. They will receive explicit instruction in the craft of writing from exploring genre, to organizing their pieces, to word choice, style, and mechanics. This course also encourages children to think of themselves as writers and allows plenty of opportunities to build stronger writing skills and to express their important thoughts effectively through writing.
There are three major writing projects throughout the year: narrative, informative and opinion. The students will hone their skills through modeled writing, shared or interactive writing, guided writing, and independent writing. In addition to the writing projects, students work to improve their writing through other assignments such as journaling, reading responses, proofreading practice, writing skills practice, and peer/group work.
Grammar
In ELL 2/3B, the goal is for students to work towards mastering English grammar skills. Lessons include discussions that elicit the focus grammar, explicit teaching of rules, activities that require various forms of response, and writing activities. Students will also work on grammar points that connect with the writing projects they complete. As students master concepts, they will be challenged with more complex rules and grammar practice.
Grades 4-6
ELL 4/5/6a
The ELL 4/5/6A class is the entry level ELL course offered in grades 4–6. In this course the goal is to help students develop and acquire basic grammar and attain successful academic growth in the English-speaking school. This course meets each day for two periods. We focus on reading, writing, speaking, and listening through various projects, reading units, grammar exercises and vocabulary studies. In addition, the Words Their Way program offers a differentiated spelling instruction and learning.
Reading
This course will mainly focus on reading short stories from a literature textbook. Students will be exposed to a variety of fiction, non-fiction, drama, and poetry. Along with reading literature, students will work on reading comprehension, critical reading skills, literary elements, vocabulary, word knowledge and spelling. In addition to the classroom reading, the students are assigned to read every day at home.
Writing
There are six major writing projects throughout the year: narrative, procedural, descriptive, research, opinion, and persuasive. The students focus on using the writing process, self-editing and peer-editing. The students will familiarize themselves with different types of writing through modeled writing and group writing. In addition to the writing projects, students work to improve their writing through other assignments such as journaling, reading responses, proofreading practice, writing skills practice, and peer/group work.
Grammar
In ELL 4/5/6A, the goal is for students to develop and acquire English grammar. Lessons include discussions that elicit the focus grammar, explicit teaching of rules, activities that require various forms of response, and writing activities. Students will also work on grammar points that connect with the writing projects they complete.
Grade 7
Grade 7 English Language Learners is an Upper School class offering additional English language support during the time allotted for English and foreign language courses. The class focus is on the core elements of reading comprehension, composition, grammar and mechanics, vocabulary development, and speaking. A further aim of the course is to effectively use the English language, both orally and in writing. Students will read classic and contemporary selections with the goal of strengthening fluency while providing an introduction to literary analysis and criticism. Students will write reflective, research, analysis, and comparison/contrast essays, understand literary elements such as theme and characterization and gain an understanding of the writing process. The program will rely on scaffolding and differentiation to meet the language needs of each student in order to boost their English language ability while teaching them critical thinking and analysis skills as well as writing structure and grammar. Students will learn vocabulary and word patterns through the Words Their Way program.
Grade 8
The Grade Eight English Language Learner course uses the theme of “Challenges” to introduce students to more sophisticated levels of literature and analysis, while continuing to build on the basic skill sets developed in the previous course. Classic and contemporary works of literature are utilized and students are expected to engage in sustained critical discussion, responding to a wide variety of texts, including novels, short stories, poems, plays, and films. Students will begin to engage in extended projects and assignments. The program will rely on scaffolding and differentiation to meet the language needs of each student in order to boost their English language ability while teaching them critical thinking and analysis skills as well as writing structure and grammar. Students will learn vocabulary and word patterns through the Words Their Way program.