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ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE

ESLAO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE - LEVEL 1

ESL LEVEL 1

PREREQUISITE: None

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GRADE: Open

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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online

ESLAO online builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce them to the English language and help them adjust to the diversity in their new environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes. They will engage in short conversations using basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns; read short adapted texts, and write phrases and short sentences. ESLAO online also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

UNIT ONE

Reading Comprehension

Essential Question: How can we use prior knowledge to help us understand a text?

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  • In this unit, students will discuss different strategies to help their reading comprehension at different stages of the reading process. Students will go over strategies to use before they start reading such as creating a word wall or a KWL chart. Students will learn about strategies to employ during reading such as taking notes and identifying key ideas, students will also learn how to synthesize the information that they read. This unit will also cover strategies to help students after they read, such as writing a summary. This unit will provide students with opportunities to practice their spelling, learn about verbs, different abbreviations, syllables and build up their vocabulary.

UNIT TWO

Listening & Speaking

Essential Question: How can we gain more knowledge through listening?

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  • In this unit, students will develop the skills necessary to gain confidence and familiarity with listening and speaking in various contexts. Students will learn the vocabulary related to listening and speaking. Students will learn that in English, how they say something is just as important as what they are saying by learning about the imitation technique. Students will learn how to become good communicators by learning to listen as well as paying attention to non-verbal communication. Students will also learn about the different vowel sounds used in English.

UNIT THREE

Writing

Essential Question: How can we learn to communicate better through writing?

 

  • In this unit, students will learn how to become effective writers by learning how to organize their ideas coherently. Students will learn about some common grammar mistakes and how to fix them as well as the different characteristics of a paragraph. Students will also learn about various aspects of Canadian culture including our government and the aboriginal people of Canada.

UNIT FOUR

Novel Study

Essential Question: How can we gain more knowledge studying literature?

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  • In this unit, students will be participating in a novel study. Students will put the strategies they have learned throughout this course into action. Students will identify key aspects of the text such as the setting, characters and theme. Students will take notes and answers questions on chapters.

CULMINATING PROJECT

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10% of Final Grade

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  • This project is one of the final evaluations of ESLAO online. This project will challenge the knowledge students acquired throughout this course and is worth 10% of the final grade.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam

20% of Final Grade

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  • This exam is the final evaluation of ESLAO online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.

ESLBO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE – LEVEL 2

ESL LEVEL 2

PREREQUISITE: ESL Level 1 or equivalent

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GRADE: Open

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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online

ESLBO online extends students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for everyday and academic purposes. Students will participate in conversations in structured situations on a variety of familiar and new topics; read a variety of texts designed or adapted for English language learners; expand their knowledge of English grammatical structures and sentence patterns, and link English sentences to compose paragraphs. ESLBO online also supports students’ continuing adaptation to the Ontario school system by expanding their knowledge of diversity in their new province and country.

UNIT ONE

Our Stories

Essential Question: How can we use prior knowledge to make connections and understand our world?

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  • In this unit, students will share stories/ideas about where they are from, and develop critical thinking and writing skills by making connections to one another and through reading a few stories from across our country, Canada.

UNIT TWO

Provinces and Territories

Essential Question: How can we better understand ourselves through learning about our country?

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  • In this unit, students will investigate the land that they now call home, and develop critical thinking and writing skills by making connections to one another and through reading a few stories from across our country, Canada.

UNIT THREE

Canada's Land

Essential Question: How can we build a better sense of identity through investigating our country?

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  • In this unit, students will look at the land that they occupy here in Canada, and develop critical thinking and writing skills by making connections to one another and through reading a few stories from across our country.

UNIT FOUR

Canada's Population

Essential Question: How can we use prior knowledge to make connections and understand our world?

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  • In this unit, students will investigate Canada’s population, and develop critical thinking and writing skills by making connections to one another and through reading a few stories from across our country.

CULMINATING PROJECT

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15% of Final Grade

​

  • This project is one of the final evaluations of ESLBO online. This project will challenge students to show what they have learned throughout the course and is worth 15% of the final grade.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This exam is the final evaluation of ESLBO online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.

ESLCO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE – LEVEL 3

ESL LEVEL 3

PREREQUISITE: ESL Level 2 or equivalent

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GRADE: Open

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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online

ESLCO online further extends students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English for a variety of everyday and academic purposes. Students will make short classroom oral presentations; read a variety of adapted and original texts in English; and write using a variety of text forms. As well, students will expand their academic vocabulary and their study skills to facilitate their transition to the mainstream school program. ESLCO online also introduces students to the rights and responsibilities inherent in Canadian citizenship, and to a variety of current Canadian issues.

UNIT ONE

Our Canada

Essential Question: How does a name create identity?​

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  • In this unit, students will share stories, ideas and writing about Canada as a country. Students will build on their knowledge of what they have already studied in ESL-A and ESL-B to improve their reading comprehension, listening and speaking skills through critical texts that explore Canadian diversity.

UNIT TWO

History

Essential Question: What is Canada's unique history?​

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  • In this unit, students will continue to explore our shared history of Canada, by learning about the people, places and events that have shaped this country.

UNIT THREE

Government

Essential Question: Is Canada a democratic country?

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  • In this unit, students will continue to explore more about Canada, learning specifically about government. Through reading and listening activities, students will work on improving their speaking skills and refine their personal narratives.

UNIT FOUR

Canadians

Essential Question: How is the Canadian population considered diverse?

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  • In this unit, students will explore diversity amongst the Canadian population. Students will use their own voices and experiences to make connections to Canadian society.

CULMINATING PROJECT

​

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This project is one of the final evaluations of ESLCO online. This project will challenge students’ knowledge of concepts learned throughout this course and is worth 15% of the final grade.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This exam is the final evaluation of ESLCO online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours. 

ESLDO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE – LEVEL 4

ESL LEVEL 4

PREREQUISITE: ESL Level 3 or equivalent

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GRADE: Open

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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online

ESLDO online prepares students to use English with increasing fluency and accuracy in classroom and social situations and to participate in Canadian society as informed citizens. Students will develop the oral-presentation, reading, and writing skills required for success in all school subjects. In ESLDO online, students will extend listening and speaking skills through participation in discussions and seminars; study and interpret a variety of grade-level texts; write narratives, articles, and summaries in English; and respond critically to a variety of print and media texts.

UNIT ONE

Reading a Variety of Texts

Essential Question: How can we identify the most important elements of a text?

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  • In this unit, students will use a variety of strategies to build up their vocabulary. Students will practice using graphic organizers while reading. Students will learn about compound words and how to use them and also learn about the different parts of speech. Students will discuss etiquette and the different types of nouns. This unit will also cover idioms, verbs and synonyms.

UNIT TWO

Writing a Variety of Texts

Essential Question: How can we improve our writing through sharing personal narratives?

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  • In this unit, students will use English and non-verbal communication strategies appropriately in a variety of social contexts. Students will gain an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizenship, and of the contributions of diverse groups to Canadian society. Students will also gain knowledge of and adaptation to the Ontario education system.

UNIT THREE

Speaking and Listening

Essential Question: How can we improve our communication through listening?

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  • In this unit, students will practice their communication strategies as well as their spoken communication skills.

UNIT FOUR

Novel Study

Essential Question: What can a story teach us about the world around us?

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  • In this unit, students will read and do their best to understand a novel. Students will practice using a variety of reading strategies throughout the reading process to extract meaning from the text. Students will use this novel study as an opportunity to use a variety of strategies to build their vocabulary. Students will also practice extracting relevant information from the text.

CULMINATING PROJECT

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15% of Final Grade

​

  • This project is one of the final evaluations of ESLDO online. This project will challenge students’ knowledge of concepts learned throughout this course and is worth 15% of the final grade.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This exam is the final evaluation of ESLDO online. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours.

ESLEO ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE – LEVEL 5

ESL LEVEL 5

PREREQUISITE: ESL Level 4 or equivalent

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GRADE: Open

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AVAILABILITY: WISS Online

ESLEO online provides students with the skills and strategies they need to make the transition to college and university preparation courses in English and other secondary school disciplines. Students will be encouraged to develop independence in a range of academic tasks. They will participate in debates and lead classroom workshops; read and interpret literary works and academic texts; write essays, narratives, and reports; and apply a range of learning strategies and research skills effectively. In ESLEO online, students will further develop their ability to respond critically to print and media texts.

UNIT ONE

Reading & Writing

Essential Question: How can we use prior knowledge to improve our reading and writing?

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  • In this unit, students will share strategies and develop critical thinking skills to make them better readers and writers.

UNIT TWO

Listening & Speaking

Essential Question: How can we improve our speaking skills through careful listening?

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  • In this unit, students will look at different ways that they can improve their listening and speaking skills to make them better communicators.

UNIT THREE

Novel Study: The Giver

Essential Question: How can we look for truth in fiction?

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  • In this unit, we will explore the themes, characters, plot and various details of the novel, The Giver, and make connections to our world.

UNIT FOUR

Media

Essential Question: How can we learn to believe what we see and read?

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  • In this unit, students will look closely at the media and investigate truth vs. fiction in order to be more critical about what they read, and what is considered a reliable source of information to learn from.

CULMINATING PROJECT

​

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This project is one of the final evaluations of the course. This project will challenge students’ knowledge of concepts learned throughout this course and is worth 15% of the final grade.

FINAL EXAM

Proctored Exam

15% of Final Grade

​

  • This exam is the final evaluation of the course. Students need to arrange their final exam 10 days in advance. All coursework should be completed and submitted before writing the final exam, please be advised that once the exam is written, any outstanding coursework will be given a grade of zero. The exam will be two hours. 

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