English Learner (EL) Programs and Services

1 Periods a day. Satisfies 1.0 elective credits.

Satisfies 5.0 elective credits.

This course develops the language of English Language Arts. Students work on foundational skills for English in reading, writing, and grammar. Students also work on developing the four language domains: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. This course supports students to be successful in the EL 1 Newcomers-English IV class and the EL 1 Newcomers-Speech class.

Satisfies 0.5 ELA credits.

This course focus on developing English skills to be able to analyze both literature and nonfiction texts. Students work on writing like authors as well as acquiring critical thinking skills for analysis. This course uses identity texts and students develop storytelling skills as well as reading skills.

Satisfies 0.5 ELA credits.

This public speaking course is designed to help students improve oral communication skills through participation in a variety of group and individual performances. Students will gain confidence in oral communication; learn how to outline material; develop critical thinking skills; develop verbal skills; understand, develop, and use research skills; improve listening skills; utilize nonverbal communication; learn to use audiovisual aids; understand audience analysis. All speeches are delivered to the entire class. This course is designed to be co-taught with an EL teacher and has been adapted to beginner language learners.

Satisfies 5.0 elective credits.

This course develops the language of social studies and supports students in learning foundational skills in social studies. Students will also work on vocabulary specific to social studies.

Satisfies 5.0 elective credits.

In this course, students will have the opportunity to see the world from a geographer's perspective. Students will learn to analyze human behavior and how people relate to the space in which they live. Students will apply geographic principles by creating maps and graphing data. Major units of geographic study: population, political, economic, urban, environmental, and migration. This course is designed to be co-taught and to support beginner language learners.

Satisfies 5.0 elective credits.

This course develops the language of science and supports students in learning foundational skills in science as well as learning to write as a scientist. Students learn how to write in the different scientific genres such as lab reports, presentations, and other required work in their science class. Students will also work on vocabulary specific to science.

Satisfies 5.0 elective credits.

This course develops the language of mathematics and supports students in acquiring the math skills necessary to be successful in core math classes. Students will also work on vocabulary specific to math and receive additional support to be successful in math classes.

1EL2LT: satisfies .5 English IV Credit and 1.5 elective credit
1EL2A/2EL2A: satisfies .5 English IV Credit and 1.5 elective credit

This course develops specific reading skills (decoding, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, etc.). Students will also develop specific writing skills (sentences, paragraphs, etc.) through themes in narrative, descriptive and expository forms. Grammar skills will be developed through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Student will be registered in an appropriate English class as well as the EL literacy course.

Satisfies 1.0 elective credits

This course develops the language of science and supports students in learning foundational skills in science as well as learning to write as a scientist. Students learn how to write in the different scientific genres such as lab reports, presentations, and other required work in their science class. Students in level 2 should take the required environmental science class. Students will also work on vocabulary specific to environmental science.

Satisfies 1.0 elective credit

This course develops specific reading skills (decoding, vocabulary, comprehension strategies, etc.). Students' writing skills will be developed to be able to write clear and effective sentences and paragraphs, as well as multi-paragraph themes in narrative, descriptive, and expository form and a variety of writing styles (compare/contrast, cause/effect, etc.). Grammar skills are taught through listening, speaking, and writing while developing background knowledge in content areas (literature, social studies and science). Student will be registered in an appropriate English class as well as the EL literacy course.

Satisfies 1.0 elective credit

This course expands basic reading skills to include inference, literary terms, and more nuanced vocabulary. Students develop reading skills in various genres of literature (fiction, nonfiction, poetry, etc.). Students will develop clear and effective writing of sentences, paragraphs, and themes in narrative, descriptive and expository forms, and an introduction to the writing process and research paper. A variety of writing styles such as compare/contrast and cause/effect are taught. Students write in response to literature and nonfiction. Student will be registered in an appropriate English class as well as the EL literacy course.

Satisfies World History credit

This course may be taught as a sheltered course or in a co-taught setting. During this course, our goal will be to survey the history of the world spanning the major global regions and encompassing the entire span of recorded events from the dawn of time to the present day. The main elements of the course are intended to develop cultural, geographic, and historical knowledge. The materials used selected intentionally to help English Learners be successful.

Satisfies U.S. History credit

This course may be taught as a sheltered course or in a co-taught setting. This is a comprehensive U.S. History course which begins with the era of European exploration and continues to the present. The materials used selected intentionally to help English Learners be successful. Reading and vocabulary strategies will be emphasized to support students in obtaining a general insight into American culture and history.

Prerequisite: Individual placement based on prior math achievement.
Satisfies Geometry credit or elective credit.

EL Math Connections is a bridge between basic math skills and Intermediate Algebra. We review basic math skills, order of operations, fractions, proportions, decimals, percent's, solving equations and graphing linear equations. This course also covers Geometry skills including area, surface area, volume, similarity, proofs, Pythagorean theorem, and properties of circles.

Prerequisite: none
Honors course

Students in this class will learn an introduction to translation, interpretation, and language access and the skills and knowledge needed to work in schools, health care, courts, and other settings. They will learn about the foundational principles of the field as well as career options across industries. Students will also learn how to adhere to the code of ethics and standards of practice for interpreters. The course also gives practice in different types of interpreting—like consecutive, simultaneous, phone, virtual, and sight translation. Students will have an opportunity to shadow and/or observe interpreters in the field in at least one of these areas: court interpretation, government service, educational setting interpretation, phone interpretation, and in-person or virtual interpretation.

Students will be responsible for transportation to off-campus sites. If transportation is a concern, see the course instructor.

Students who also pass language proficiency exams for both English and their language of choice, will have the opportunity to receive an RPS interpreter certification. This certification may qualify students to interpret at RPS in informal settings and during school events.

Note: This course provides ELECTIVE CREDIT and DOES NOT satisfy a World Language credit.