WHS ESL 1A Curriculum Guide

Grades 9-12 College Prep 7.5 credits

This course is designed for students at the beginning/entering English language proficiency level.  ESL 1A focuses on systematic, explicit, and sustained language development aligned to Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and WIDA. This course is designed to build on students’ cultural and linguistic knowledge as they bridge into English. Students enrolled in ESL IA are also enrolled in English for the Workplace and ESL Comp I. Students will read, write, and speak during academic conversations daily. The teacher models how to research meaningful topics and plan individual and group presentations. In line with the school’s focus on Project Based Learning, there will be frequent curriculum embedded performance assessments and a final project.

Unit

Timeframe

Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions)

Major Learning Experiences from Unit 

Introductions

Quarter 1

  • How do I introduce myself to others?

  • How do I ask polite questions? 

  • What information do I want to share about myself? 

Students will meet their classmates and use personal questions and descriptions to get to know them and their community. 


Students will be able to

  • Ask and answer questions about self

  • Describe self using adjectives.

  • Use formal terms to make an introduction.

  • Write a short description of self.

  • Read descriptions of classmates. 

School and Academic Language

Quarter 1

  • What language is necessary to communicate around school?

  • How does this school compare to the school I attended in my country?

Students will learn how to communicate around the school. They will practice using academic vocabulary and phrases. 


Students will be able to

  • Identify and explain vocabulary relevant to the classroom and school.

  • Compare this school to one they attended before.

  • Have a conversation asking and answering questions about a person’s school experience.

  • Write a short summary based on a conversation with a classmate. 

Schedules and Plans

Quarter 2

  • How do I explain what I do at school and in daily life? 

  • What events and activities are important to me? 

Students identify and explain daily activities and schedules. They read about routines connected  to culture and school.


Students will be able to

  • Describe daily activities using days and times.

  • Explain a schedule to a classmate.

  • Write a short narrative explaining what they do at school.

Describing People and Professions

Quarter 3

  • What are my goals after school?

  • What types of jobs and careers am I interested in?

  • How do I describe my personal strengths to people? 

Students read and write narratives about people from different professions. 


Students will be able to

  • Identify and explain different careers and professions.

  • Describe jobs and tasks.

  • Conduct a conversation about what they would like to do after school.

Communicating about Preferences and Giving Instructions

Quarter 4

  • How do I give instructions on how to complete a task? 

  • How do I communicate preferences? 

  • How am I similar and different to those in my class/community?

Students orally explain what they prefer. They practice giving and following specific instructions. 


Students will be able to

  • Explain and justify a preference.

  • Write instructions explaining how to complete a task.

  • Have a conversation describing and explaining food to a classmate.