English Language Learners

January 31, 2011

Elk Island Public Schools

Dianne Molzan

Presentation Outline

Purpose of Benchmarks

Understanding BICS and CALP

Who, When and How to use Benchmarks

Photo Story 3

Wiki

Purpose of ESL Benchmarks

• Provide descriptions of language ability demonstrated at each proficiency level

• Support initial identification of language proficiency level

• Guide effective instruction and program planning for English language learners

Purpose of ESL Benchmarks

The Benchmarks support teachers in:

• monitoring and reporting progress

• planning for explicit language instruction within everyday classroom learning

• communicating with students and parents to develop an understanding of language proficiency

Activating Prior Knowledge

• If everyone understands kind, why is it important to know, understand and use other words?

• Kind can mean more than “nice”. It also means: type, manner, style, nature, form, hue, category, class.

• Why is knowing words have multiple meanings important?

• Why is it important for teachers to understand varying degrees of language proficiency?

Cummins’ BICS and CALP

BICSBasic Interpersonal

Communication Skills

CALPCognitive Academic

Linguistic Proficiency

takes 1 or 2 years to acquire takes 5 to 10 years to acquire

social language academic language

high-frequency vocabulary low-frequency vocabulary

simple language structures complex language structures

context embedded(e.g., meanings are concrete and supported by extra-linguistic cues such as gestures, objects and actions)

context reduced(e.g., meanings are abstract so extra-linguistic cues are not readily available and must be constructed through scaffolded language)

Concrete contexts abstract contexts

Often low-pressure situations Often high-pressure situations

Cummins’ BICS and CALP

Language Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

Social (BICS)

Academic (CALP)

• At the lower proficiency levels, students rely on BICS.

• As they gain proficiency, they steadily acquire CALP and they rely more and more on CALP for their academic success.

Linguistic

Understanding and using:

vocabularylanguage conventions (grammar, punctuation and spelling)syntax (e.g., sentence structure)

Strategic

Using techniques for:

overcoming language gapsplanning and assessing the effectiveness of communicationachieving conversational fluencymodifying text for audience and purpose

Understanding how ideas are connected through:

patterns of organizationcohesive and transitional devices

Discourse

Having awareness of:

social rules of language (e.g., formality, politeness, directness)nonverbal behaviourscultural references (e.g., idioms, expressions, background knowledge)

Socio-linguistic

Communicative Competence

“the ability to recognize and produce authentic and appropriate language in social and academic settings”

Who can use the ESL Benchmarks?

• All teachers of English language learners• ESL coordinators, consultants and specialists• Resource teachers• School administrators

When are the Benchmarks used?

Ideally, the Benchmarks will be used for:

•intake assessment to establish initial language proficiency, appropriate programs and instructional starting points•language proficiency levels at each reporting period •monitoring of language proficiency throughout school year

Screening before Registration

IRegistration:If the student is English as a Second Language, complete the ESL Registration Form. Check:

o Other languages spoken at homeo Interpreter required for Intake and conferenceso Book appointment with school Intake Team (ESL)

School Intake:Admin. Team member welcomes students and familySchool Intake Team (ESL) completes Student Intake Information Form with family of student. Student should be present, if appropriate. Book interpreter if necessary. Allow 30 minutes.Review ESL Registration Form School Intake Team (ESL) schedules a time for student to complete Assessment Screen. School Intake Team (ESL) determines levels and appropriate assessments for the student based upon information gleaned during the interview.Orientation to school (including tour of school).

School Quick Screen: Purpose: to determine class placement, establish baseline data and gather instructional starting points.Results should be summarized and communicated to teachers and staff working with the student.May include:Reading running record, decoding, assessment and reading comprehension Writing composition (English)Mathematical computational skillsInformal conversation on topics of student interest and/or curriculum content

Placement/Program:Elem. Classroom placement to be determined based on information gathered during school screen.Jr. High and Sr. High timetable should be assigned only after results of school screen,Student and family should be advised of recommended Special Education coding (if applicable), placement suggestions, programming modifications and timetable.

Reporting

Use the Benchmarks to assist you in writing comments related to language proficiency for individual students.

• In his writing, Hassan uses the new vocabulary that he has learned. He writes in simple sentences and adds some detail. He can sequence his ideas logically.

• Shujin speaks using familiar words. She speaks in short one to four word phrases and simple sentences. She asks and answers simple questions.

My Summer with ELL Adults

Canadian Teachers Federation Project Overseas

http://projectoverseas.wikispaces.com/

2 billion use internet

5 billion use cell phones

Photo Story 3

Capture memoriesCreate slideshows using your digital photos. With a single click, you can touch-up, crop, or rotate pictures

Bring photos to life Add stunning special effects, soundtracks, and your own voice narration to your photo stories. Then, personalize them with titles and captions

Share your stories Small file sizes make it easy to send your photo stories in an e-mail. Watch them on your TV, a computer, or a Windows Mobile–based portable device

What is a WIKI

•A wiki is a web site that lets any visitor become a participant

•All you need is a computer with an Internet connection

•A wiki is continuously “under revision.”

•The word "wiki" comes from Hawaiian language, meaning "quick" or "fast."

BLOG versus WIKI

Canadian Teachers Federation Project Overseas

http://projectoverseas.wikispaces.com/

WIKI

http://molzanindominica.wikispaces.com

http://molzaninell.wikispaces.com

BLOG

http://molzanindominica.wikispaces.com/A+Journal+of+our+Adventure

Now it’s your turn…

Create a Photo Story

using www.morguefile.com

photos

Or

Set up a educational wiki

www.wikispaces.com

EXPLORE

http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/

Thank You

ESL Benchmarks

www.learnalberta.ca (search word ESL)

ESL Information

http://education.alberta.ca/teachers/program/esl.aspx

AB Ed Contacts

Mike.Ettrich@gov.ab.ca or Kathy.Salmon@gov.ab.ca

WIKI Information

http://www.teachersfirst.com/content/wiki/