3 minute read
English as an Additional Language
The Comparative Genres course is designed for students to appreciate the complexity and joy of a range of literature, and to advance their skills to comprehend and write critically about texts and contexts. The literature selections will draw from drama, poetry, novellas, and short stories from a range of historical periods and global traditions. Close textual analysis will be emphasized for students to explore the artistic, cultural, and sometimes political choices of authors. Students will also compare and contrast the ways literature reflects and critiques society. Beyond the advanced analysis for reading, students will communicate in both written and verbal forms. This course is based on the Common Core Learning Standards, and the formative learning activities support student understanding of concepts while perfecting their communication and critical thinking skills. Summative assessments to measure student progress include academic conversations, oral presentations, text annotations, and written arguments, both comparative and thematic.
Course Sequence Map
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The American International School Chennai is proud to host a large population of students from diverse countries, cultures and language backgrounds. The High School’s EAL department is committed to supporting our English Language Learners (ELLs) in their English language acquisition and academic language skills development.
In the High school, the EAL department works in a number of ways to differentiate inclusive language support for all our ELLs. The EAL specialists work directly with teachers to develop strategies and scaffolds that develop students’ academic English communication skills as well as the technical language and structures required for academic success within the specific content areas. EAL specialists also work directly with groups and individual students both in and outside the classroom through communication skills, feedback, coaching and support across the content areas. This
broad range of language support ensures students’ have multiple opportunities to develop their English language skills as well as demonstrate mastery of content.
In addition, The EAL department offers an ‘English for Academic Purposes’ (EAP) course which is designed to give students explicit knowledge of the different types of academic English used across the AISC high school curriculum. This course is available to ELLs in the ‘intermediate’ range of their English language proficiency as measured by the WIDA MODEL (Measure of Developing English Language) test, which is administered to all new students for whom English is not their first language.
The EAL department's primary goal is to support student’s English development for academic and social success while encouraging the continued growth of the home language and maintaining cultural identity. We value all students as members of our diverse, multilingual learning community.
EAL Admissions Procedures
In order to ensure their success in a demanding academic environment, ELLs are accepted in Grades 9 through 12 depending on their level of academic English and their academic school records. Grade 9 and 10 applicants should demonstrate English language proficiency at the intermediate level or above in order to be considered for admission. In order for the students to be adequately prepared for the academic rigor of the 11th and 12th Grades, students should be working independently of ongoing EAL support.
The school will take into consideration a range of criteria to determine appropriate placement for an applicant in Grades 9 to 12, including the following: • the application; • school records (transcripts and/or report cards); • letters of recommendation; • personal interview with parents/students; • English language proficiency assessment.
The English language proficiency assessment is generally administered at AISC. In case an applicant cannot come to AISC, a standardized test and/or interview may be sent to the student’s present school or may be conducted online.
English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
Prerequisite EAL department recommendation . Duration 1 year Units of Credit 1
