| The goal of the English as a Second Language (ESL) program is to assist those international students who, because of developing English skills, are not yet prepared to enroll in the standard curriculum for their grade level. In ESL, students learn the academic, cultural, and English language skills needed to fully transition into mainstream OES classes and work independently and successfully within these classes.
ESL American Studies/Physics Help (1/2 credit)
This yearlong, two day a week course is a content-based language
class which introduces international students to fundamental issues
in the development of the United States. Themes include founding
documents, regionalism, geography, diversity, and art. Students
will be asked to draw upon their knowledge of their own nations
to provide further insight into the American experience. In addition
to discussion, close reading, and analytical writing, students
are involved in frequent projects. This course also provides English language
support for international students who are enrolled in physics.
The class assists students in the science research process required
of all OES science students and with the general comprehension
of concepts in physics.
ESL Grammar/Writing
This course builds on students' existing knowledge of
English grammar. The class emphasizes the expansion of grammatical
awareness and the application of grammatical knowledge into the
students' own work. Students not only learn complex grammatical
systems, but analyze when and how to use them appropriately in
both formal and informal contexts. The class works to build an
underlying awareness of the relationship between meaning and form
in English language and to understand both how and why a particular
structure is used in context. The specific structures covered
in class vary depending on the needs of the students.
ESL Humanities
This course parallels the Humanities 9 course, which introduces
students to the cultures of ancient peoples in Europe, the Middle
East, and Asia. While emphasizing reading comprehension, language
analysis, discussion, and writing skills, the course also helps
ESL students to read the same literature studied by all 9th grade
students. Using shortened versions of the texts, ESL Literature
class will study ancient societies through examination of such
works as the epic of Gilgamesh, poetry of the ancient
Egyptians and Hebrews, The Tale of Troy, works of Confucius
and Han Fei Tse, The New Testament, the Koran,
and The Ramayana. This is a challenging course combining
history, literature, and intensive work in English that will help
prepare students for their future English and history courses
at OES.
ESL English 10
This yearlong course provides English language support for international
students transitioning from ESL classes to English 10 and is taken
simultaneously with English 10. The class draws on the reading
and writing assigned in English 10 with particular emphasis on
reading comprehension, language analysis, discussion, cultural
context, and grammar and vocabulary development. The class works
intensively on writing skills and integrating grammar instruction
into the application of the students' own work. In addition to
regular class time, students are required to meet one-on-one with
the teacher to work on writing skills.
American History Tutorial
A tutorial for international students enrolled in US History will
be offered, and in some cases required, outside of the regular
class schedule. This tutorial is not graded and is intended to
assist international students with the advanced language skills
and cultural context they need to succeed in US History.
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