GRADE 7 & 8 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES Course Information

GRADE 7 & 8 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES

Course Information


Introduction

Grade 7 and 8 English

Course Structure

Questions & Answers

ESOL

Additional English


Who does Additional English ?

Students whose level of English is adequate to cope with

the demands of mainstream curriculum, but they can

benefit from extra teacher assistance.

Additional English students attend the same ESOL

lessons as their classmates. The only subject they miss is

a Modern Foreign Language.


What is Additional English ?

Grade 7 and 8 Additional English

Students spend five periods per week in AE. Their

lessons are divided as follows:

2 periods - Writing Skills

2 periods - Reading Skills and Vocabulary

Development

1 period - Curriculum Support / Study Skills


Grade 7 and 8 Additional EnglishIn the Writing lessons, the main emphasis is on helping

students to:

• Develop an awareness of different ‘text types’

• Study grammar

• Practise using a thesaurus

• Spelling activities

The overall approach to writing stresses the need for

planning and revision.


Grade 7 - Additional EnglishIn the Reading / Vocabulary lessons students study skills

such as:

• Skimming & scanning

• Learning to recognise text organisation• Use contextual clues to aid understanding and

distinguish between fact and opinion.

They also do various activities aimed at extending their

range of vocabulary.


Grade 7 and 8 Additional English

In the single Curriculum Support / Study Skills lessons

students are assisted individually with work from other

subjects:

The aim of the lesson is to help students learn strategies

to cope with the English language content of these

subjects.

In addition (depending on individual need), they

sometimes practise dictionary and thesaurus use; note-

taking; and other Study Skills.


How long do students spend in Additional English ?

This varies according to the individuals needs and progress.

Depending on factors such as their ability and their previous

exposure to English, some students spend a full academic year,

others move to a Modern Foreign Language (MFL) after one of two

terms.

However, there are disadvantages to starting an MFL late in the year,

so a student making good progress in AE may be encouraged to

remain in AE until the end of the year.


Grade 7 and 8 – ESOL

Middle School ESOL courses are for students who need specialist

instructions and practice in order to be able to use English more fluently and

accurately.

In Grade 7 and 8 ESOL, the students study both literature and language.


Grade 7 and 8 ESOL

Students spend five periods per week in ESOL. Their

lessons are divided as follows:

1 double - Mainstream English Literature

1 double. - Language Skills/Grammar

1 single - Personal Reading


Grade 7 and 8 ESOL (Literature)

The Literature lessons challenge the ESOL students reading skills.

They also develop an awareness of literature and introduce them to character

analysis.

Texts chosen are mainstream texts which stretch the ESOL students range of

vocabulary.


Grade 7 and 8 ESOL (Language)

The Language focus on grammar enrichment and vocabulary building and

offer a rich source of reading texts.

Both offer opportunities for developing the students written, oral and

listening skills.

The personal reading lessons allow the students to select their own reading

texts. These lessons aim to increase reading speed, expand vocabulary, and

promote further reading novels in English.


Grade 7 and 8 ESOL (Personal Reading)

The personal reading lessons allow the students to select their own reading

texts. These lessons aim to increase reading speed, expand vocabulary, and

promote further reading novels in English.

These are followed up with oral presentations and written book reports and

other assignments.


How can you help your child ?

You can support your child’s learning by encouraging him/her to do the

following:

• Read plenty of books in English; (at least one short book – e.g.

50 pages per week or about half an hour per day)

• Listen to, and speak, English as often as possible (perhaps

advise them not to spend too much time with other students who speak

their first language

• Check their written work before handing it in (the most

frequent errors tend to concern verb tenses!)


How can you help your child ?

Continued…….

• Treat writing as a process, not just something you do quickly and

then hand in (first get ideas; then make a plan; write the first draft;

read it and make changes; then rewrite it)

• Use their vocabulary book (write down useful words/phrases and

example of how to use them practise the new language regularly)

• Use an English-to-English dictionary, as well as an English/First

Language dictionary

Documents

GRADE 7 & 8 ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES Course Information