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EAL (ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE)

DEVELOPING ENGLISH PROFICIENCY TOGETHER

WELCOME TO EAL AT GRACE

The EAL (English as an Additional Language) program at Grace International School provides Academic English language support services to students whose first language is a language other than English and who have been classified as Multilingual Learners (MLL). EAL support is provided mainly through collaboration with content teachers and in the Academic Language Development (ALD) classroom. The goal of our program is to help MLLs develop a level of Academic English proficiency that allows them to function independently at their grade level.

An English Proficiency Exam is required for all non-native English-speaking students.  Students will be assessed in the domains of Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. A minimum score is required for students to be considered for admission. For students requiring EAL support, assessments for incoming and returning students will be used to determine appropriate levels of support. Our EAL program is an additional service GIS provides at no additional cost. We reserved the right to provide this service each year, depending on the availability of our resources.

ACADEMIC LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT COURSE (MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL)

This course is designed to develop students’ English language proficiency in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Through various units of study, students will expand their English vocabulary and usage, become familiar with social idiomatic expressions, and master necessary grammar topics for their grade level of English development. Grammar topics will include upper-intermediate levels of count and non-count noun forms, complex quantifiers, conditional forms, phrasal verbs, and present tenses. In class, students will be given time to directly apply new information to their current content area studies. In addition, there will be time provided for students to work on homework and receive support as needed. 

EAL Monitoring

The EAL program has a dedicated EAL teacher in the Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.  The approach to provide the best support varies according to the needs of the students and the students’ grade level.

Elementary EAL

  • Students' needs are evaluated within the classroom through consultation with teachers and regular observation.
  • The EAL Teacher assists classroom teachers by providing support to MLLs. An inclusion approach is preferred over a pullout approach, although the needs of the student will direct the chosen support type.
  • The EAL Teacher develops relationships with content teachers and provides training and resources to teachers in order to increase their effectiveness with MLLs.
  • The EAL Teacher develops and expands academic language development resources for grades K-5.

Middle School EAL

  • Students' needs are evaluated primarily through consultation with teachers, the ALD class, and WIDA assessments.
  • The EAL Teacher provides support to MLLs using a flexible approach that minimizes interference to the students' program of study. This includes in-class instruction, tutoring, and/or assisting content teachers by pushing into class to observe what is being taught in order to better support students.
  • The EAL Teacher develops relationships with content teachers and provides training and resources to teachers in order to increase their effectiveness with MLLs.
  • The EAL Teacher develops and expands academic language development resources for grades 6-8.

High School EAL

  • Students' needs are evaluated primarily through consultation with teachers, the ALD class, and WIDA assessments.
  • The EAL Teacher provides support to MLLs using a flexible approach that minimizes interference to the students' program of study. This includes in-class instruction, tutoring, and/or assisting content teachers by pushing into class to observe what is being taught in order to better support students.
  • The EAL Teacher develops relationships with content teachers and provides training and resources to teachers in order to increase their effectiveness with MLLs.
  • The EAL Teacher provides oversight to volunteers. This would include recruitment, overall direction of the volunteer task, providing materials, offering training as needed, and monitoring progress.
  • The EAL Teacher develops and expands academic language development resources for grades 9-12.