English Learner Instruction
ENGLISH LEARNER (EL) INSTRUCTION:
The Franklin English Language Development (ELD) department uses the term ELD to describe all of the English language development that takes place throughout the day in content classes and also during the time of dedicated ESL instruction as described below:
ELD in content: English language development happens in an integrated way in all content classrooms that have at least one English Learner (EL). ELs are assigned to sheltered English immersion (SEI) classrooms. These educators are content-licensed, SEI-endorsed teachers who use research-based strategies to help ELs access grade level academic instruction and develop content-specific academic language along with their proficient English-speaking peers.
ELD in ESL: English language development also happens in English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, when ELs are grouped together by grade and proficiency level. Licensed ESL teachers guide students in a systematic, dedicated, and sustained study time to develop various aspects of the English Language that proficient English-speakers already know. ESL instruction may take place within the general education classroom (push in), as a pull-out model described above, or a combination of both. ESL instruction includes social and academic language in all four domains including listening, speaking, reading, and writing. A measure of the department’s instructional effectiveness is based upon our ELs’ success in school including improved English proficiency, acceleration of academic achievement, and college and career readiness.
The district's English language development instruction is informed by the:
- 2020 WIDA (World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment) English Language Development Standards,
- the English learner's language proficiency in each domain (Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing), and
- classroom content instruction (ELA, math, science, social studies)
INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES FOR PARENTS:
WIDA K-12 Can-Do Descriptors - The Can Do Descriptors highlight what language learners can do at various stages of language development as they engage in K-12 English language development.
DESE K-12 Family Curriculum Guides - These guides to the Massachusetts learning standards help families understand what students are expected to know and be able to do by the end of each grade. Designed to help families and teachers work together to support learning, the guides are available in English, Spanish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Simplified Chinese. Promotional materials advertising these resources are also available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.