Student Support Services Department

Department Student Support Services

We are a combined department supporting students with learning differences due to their years of language learning and/or as a result of specific learning needs. The EAL team supports students who are acquiring English as an Academic Language. The Learning Support team works with students who are developing strategies to manage specific learning needs. These teams complement each other as we both offer in class support and assist learners to succeed in the academic and social life of the ISB High School.

LEARNING SUPPORT

The Learning Support team works intensively with students with identified learning needs and also offers coaching to any high school students who need support in a specific area of learning. The model is to offer support to all students through in-class support and by collaborating with classroom teachers. Beyond the support offered to all students, the LS team works closely with identified students. Support is offered through co-taught classes, Intensive Studies classes, support in the Learning Hub and through One to One Coaching.

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE (EAL)

The EAL team works with language learners using a Sheltered Immersion Model (SIM) to develop English language proficiency for social and academic success. SIM aims to improve language learning, facilitate access to high school classes, maintain high academic standards, and develop cross-cultural understandings. Language instruction and content learning are supported in both EAL and mainstream classes. Students are encouraged to maintain their native language to aid content understanding and second language learning. EAL support is available to all EAL students throughout their years at ISB.

ENGLISH AS AN ADDITIONAL LANGUAGE COURSES

ENGLISH FOR ACADEMIC PURPOSES (EAP 9 & EAP 10)

Grades: 9-10 | Length: 1 year | Credit: 1 (Elective credit)

Prerequisite: EAL program placement

In EAP courses students develop academic language and skills for English, science, and social studies courses at ISB. Students are introduced to a variety of spoken and written texts connected to their content studies. In addition, effective study and academic skills, along with vocabulary development are taught. For half of each period, teachers assist students with the language and content of their English, social studies and science classes. The goal of EAP is for students to become proficient in the language of their academic studies.

EAL ENRICHMENT

Grades 9 - 12 | Length: 1 year | Credit: 1 (Elective credit)

Prerequisite: EAL program placement

EAL Enrichment is a Pass/Fail course designed to provide an individualized approach to learning for Grade 9 and 10 EAL students who require additional academic support and/or further English language development. Students will work independently while having access to both language and curriculum support. In addition, students will be asked to set personal language goals, establish targets and work towards meeting these goals. Students will be required to conference regularly with the teacher who will monitor both their academic progress and language development.

ENGLISH B 9

Grade: 9 | Length: 1 year | Credit: 1

Prerequisite: English language learner and teacher recommendation

The English 10 B curriculum is specifically designed for EAL students and will allow them to gain proficiency in English through the exploration of a range of text types, both literary and non-literary, in a supportive learning environment. They will be expected to read and discuss texts in a meaningful way and create a variety of texts that show an awareness of audience, purpose, structural elements, style, and rhetorical devices. Grammatical usage and vocabulary will be studied within the context of reading and writing. Students will complete independent reading requirements designed to create a lifelong pursuit of reading for pleasure. Each unit of study allows students to develop language skills that will help them to be successful in all areas of the curriculum. The course will also create a pathway for students who wish to study either English A or B at the IB Diploma level.

ENGLISH 10 B

Grade: 10 | Length: 1 | Credit: 1

Prerequisite: English language learner and teacher recommendation

The English 10 B curriculum is specifically designed for EAL students and will allow them to gain proficiency in English through the exploration of a range of text types, both literary and non-literary, in a supportive learning environment. They will be expected to read and discuss texts in a meaningful way and create a variety of texts that show an awareness of audience, purpose, structural elements, style, and rhetorical devices. Grammatical usage and vocabulary will be studied within the context of reading and writing. Students will complete independent reading requirements designed to create a lifelong pursuit of reading for pleasure. Each unit of study allows students to develop language skills that will help them to be successful in all areas of the curriculum. The course will also create a pathway for students who wish to study either English A or B at the IB Diploma level.

IB ENGLISH B

(Higher Level & Standard Level)

Grade: 11-12 | Length: 2 year Credit: 2 (English credit)

Prerequisite: English language learner and teacher recommendation

The purpose of the course is to provide students with the necessary skills and intercultural understanding to enable them to communicate successfully in an Englishlanguage environment. The students will have the opportunity to develop written and oral

communication skills in English through the study of authentic examples of both written and spoken texts. They will be expected to create a range of texts that show an awareness of audience, purpose, structural elements, style, rhetorical devices, and register. Students must also engage in oral activities that require them to discuss issues related to the course in a meaningful way. The study of literature from English-speaking cultures is also a key component of the course at Higher Level and enables students to develop an understanding of both text and culture. Throughout the course, there are ongoing assessments that reflect the IB assessment requirements and also contribute to an overall ISB grade.

IB English B fulfills ISB’s English requirements for grades 11 and 12.

IBDP Language B Course Guide

LEARNING SUPPORT COURSES

COACHING

Grades 9 - 12 | Length: 20 classes | Credit: N/A

Prerequisite: Placement by recommendation

Coaching is a one-to-one intervention using the MARIO Approach. Coaching sessions support students with any part of the academic program where they are experiencing a challenge. Students meet with a learning coach and develop a personal plan to assist them with their self-identified goals. Coaches help students with strategies or specific skills as appropriate. When not meeting with their coach, students work in the Learning Hub. Student progress is reviewed after 20 sessions (approximately half a semester). Students then review their goals and progress with their coach and either exit the program, continue with coaching, or be offered more intensive academic support.

INTENSIVE STUDIES

Grades: 9 - 12 | Length: 1 year | Credit: 1 (Elective credit)

Prerequisite: Learning support program placement

Intensive studies is a course for students with additional learning needs. Students work in small group settings to develop learning strategies and skills. The intensive studies class is implemented using the MARIO Framework. We focus on developing self-directed, expert learners who are:

• self-aware • self-managers • self-advocates.

To support this development, students set, monitor and achieve important goals, while simultaneously improving their academic skills. Core features of our program are regular oneto-one learning conversations and reflections.

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR LIFE

Grades: 9 - 12 | Length: semester | Credit: 0.5 (Elective credit)

This semester course will help you with some of the skills you need for school and life. The course will explore skills for study, organisation and communication skills in both speaking and writing. We will look at everything from managing email to effective communication with peers. This course will fill a gap for learners who have missed some of these skills in earlier years of school. It will also provide life-skills for university and beyond - hence the ‘future-proof’ nature of the course.