English Language Learning (ELL)
English Language Learning programs at Palmer help students develop fluency and literacy in English and enhance their skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening. As stated in the Richmond School Board’s ELL Guidelines, the goals of the ELL program are as follows:
- To attain competency in listening, speaking, reading and writing in English.
- To assist students with their integration into the regular curriculum.
- To assist students in developing an appreciation for the multicultural nature of Canadian society.
- To prepare students to contribute successfully to Canadian society.
Students are programmed according to their level of language skills. The Richmond School Board determines ELL levels and school-based tests. Students receive language support according to their ELL level.
ELL Program Organization
The ELL programs for students will depend on their ELL level:
Level 1: Grade 8: 3 blocks of ELL, Math, PHE, Applied Design, Skills & Technology, 2 electives
Level 1: Grade 9-12: 3 blocks of ELL, Math, Science, PHE*, 3 electives
Level 2: Grade 8: 3 blocks of ELL, Math, Science, PHE, Applied Design, Skills & Technology, 1 elective
Level 2: Grade 9-12: 3 blocks of ELL, Math, Science, PHE*, 2 electives
Level 3: Grade 8: 2 blocks of ELL, Math, Science, Humanities 8 (2 blocks), Applied Design, Skills &
Technology, PHE
Level 3: Grade 9-12: 2 blocks of ELL, Math, Science, Social Studies, PHE*, 2 electives
Level 4: 1 block of ELL, English, Math, Science, Social Studies, PHE*, 2 electives
Level 5: Regular program and ELL Pull-out support
*PHE is required in grades 8, 9 & 10
*ELL 3, 4 students in Grade 11 take Career Life Education
ELL Descriptions
ELL 1/2 Writing: The focus of this course is to develop the foundation of writing through learning the structure of sentence and paragraphs as well as learning grammar and building vocabulary. Students will practice writing on a variety of topics for projects and assignments.
ELL1/2 Reading: Students will develop beginner’s language proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing through reading a variety of texts such as stories, news articles, graphic novels and textbooks.
ELL1/2 Social Studies & Science: Students will develop beginner’s proficiency in English through studying social studies and science content. Through the study of basic topics, grammar concepts and a focus on vocabulary building, students will develop skills in areas of speaking, listening, reading and writing.
ELL 3 Writing: The focus of this course is to improve writing skills. Students will practice academic and creative writing on a variety of topics. This will help to establish a good foundation in English grammar while building vocabulary.
ELL 3 Reading: The focus of this course is to improve reading and vocabulary skills. Students will read various texts, fiction and non-fiction, including topics in social studies and English literature and will learn useful reading strategies to help improve reading comprehension.
ELL 4: This course is designed to help advanced ELL learners further strengthen their overall English proficiency. Students will have a chance to work on various types of writing on a variety of topics through individual and group projects and assignments including presentations.
ELL 5: Individual language support will be provided on request by a student or the advice of a subject teacher. An essay writing assignment will be given to students in each quarter.
ELL Promotion Criteria
The ELL teachers evaluate students on an ongoing basis. At the end of the school year, the ELL Department determines placement based on school and district testing, as well as performance in in-class projects and activities that promote the goals of each respective level.
A positive attitude, perseverance and immersion into English speaking activities contribute to the overall success of the student’s language acquisition.
ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE 8 BLOCKS IN THEIR TIMETABLE
Grade 8
BLOCK ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 ELL 5
1 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 Math 8
2 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 Math 8 Science 8
3 ELL 1 ELL 2 Math 8 Science Humanities 8
4 Math 8 Math 8 Science 8 Humanities Humanities 8
5 PE 8 Science 8 Humanities 8 Humanities 8 PHE 8
6 Applied Design Skills Tech 8 PHE 8 Humanities 8 PHE 8 Applied Design Skills Tech 8
7 Elective* Applied Design Skills Tech 8 PHE 8 Applied Design Skills Tech 8 French 8
8 Elective* Elective* Applied Design Skills Tech 8 Elective* Elective*
* In Grade 8, students may choose their Arts Education elective from the following: Art/Drama or Music
Grade 9
BLOCK ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 ELL 5
1 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 Math 9
2 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 Math 9 Science 9
3 ELL 1 ELL 2 Math 9 Science 9 Socials 9
4 Math 9 Math 9 Science 9 Socials 9 English 9
5 PHE 9 Science 9 Socials 9 English 9 PHE 9
6 Elective* PHE 9 PHE 9 PHE 9 Elective*
7 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
8 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
*Students are encouraged to complete at least one Arts Education elective and one Applied Design, Skills & Technology elective in Grade 9
Grade 10
BLOCK ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 ELL 5
1 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 Math 10
2 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 Math 10 Science 10
3 ELL 1 ELL 2 Math 10 Science 10 Socials 10
4 Math 10 Math 10 Science 10 Socials 10 An English 10
5 PHE 10 Science 10 Socials 10 An English 10 PHE 10
6 Elective* PHE 10 PHE 10 PHE 10 Elective*
7 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
8 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
*Students must complete at least one Arts Education elective and one Applied Design, Skills & Technology elective over the course of Gr. 10-12.
Grade 11
BLOCK ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 ELL 5
1 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 Math 10 or 11
2 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 Math 10 or 11 Science 10 or 11
3 ELL 1 ELL 2 Math 10 or 11 Science 10 or 11 Socials 10 or 11
4 Math 10 or 11 Math 10 or 11 Science 10 or 11 Socials 10 or 11 Career Education
5 Elective* Science 10 or 11 Socials 10 or 11 Career Education Literary Studies 11
6 Elective* Elective* Career Education An English 10 and/or Elective*
7 Elective* Elective* Elective* Literary Studies 11 Elective*
8 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
*Students must complete at least one Arts Education elective and one Applied Design, Skills & Technology elective over the course of Gr. 10-12.
Grade 12
BLOCK ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 ELL 5
1 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 ELL 4 English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12
2 ELL 1 ELL 2 ELL 3 Math 10 or 11 Elective 12
3 ELL 1 ELL 2 Math 10 or 11 Science 10 or 11 Elective 12
4 Math 10 or 11 Math 10 or 11 Science 10 or 11 Socials 10 or 11 Elective 12
5 Elective* Science 10 or 11 Socials 10 or 11 Career Life Connections Career Life Connections
6 Elective* Elective* Career Life Connections An English 10 and/or Elective*
7 Elective* Elective* Elective* Literary Studies 11 Elective*
8 Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective* Elective*
*Students must complete at least one Arts Education elective and one Applied Design, Skills & Technology elective over the course of Gr. 10-12.