HSC English Language Learning Program

hsc English language learning Program

English language learning Program at HSC

Hillfield Strathallan College (HSC) offers a challenging, inclusive education for English Language Learners (ELLs) designed to give every student opportunities for success within and beyond our school. This education is provided by teams of outstanding, well-resourced teachers, and is guided by the Ontario Curriculum.

English is the main language of teaching, learning and communication at HSC. Since ELLs are fully integrated into mainstream classes such as math, science, physical education, social studies and the arts, it is important that all students become proficient in the academic language of the classroom. With this information in mind, HSC offers comprehensive English classes in the Middle School (Grades 5 to 8) and accomodates learning in the Senior School (Grades 9 to 12).

ELLs are placed in the English Language Learning Program based on the number of years they have attended an English-speaking school prior to HSC as well as internal and external testing standards. The ELL Program focuses on improving each student’s academic writing, reading comprehension, vocabulary acquisition, oral presentation, and criticalthinking skills. These are crucial language skills for success in all subjects.

English Language Learning Program Pathway

Proficient Conversational and Academic English Skills

Research indicates that English Language Learners normally require two to three years to become proficient in conversational and day-to-day English, and five to seven years to become proficient in academic English. During this period, students need support from teachers and encouragement from parents to be patient as they work on improving their academic language skills.

Proficient Conversational English skills include the ability to do the following:

n Maintain a face-to-face conversation

n Talk, read and write about familiar content

n Possess knowledge of familiar content and use simple sentence structures

Proficient Academic English skills include the ability to do the following:

n Understand English in situations where there is little chance for interaction (e.g., class presentations, lectures, reading a textbook)

n Speak, read and write in less familiar situations

n Understand more abstract concepts

n Possess knowledge of more sophisticated vocabulary (i.e., low-frequency words)

n Use complex sentence structures

The Advantages of the HSC Comprehensive English Program

n Small class size—maximum 10 students

n Interactive lessons, oral conversations and presentations

n Support with standardized tests (e.g., OSSLT, Grade 7 and 9 scholarship exams)

n Focus on upgrading writing and reading comprehension skills

n Free use of IXL website for skill-building purposes (Senior School)

n Taught by highly trained, experienced teachers who specialize in English Language Learning

n Support services

n Opportunities to practice and expand language skills through clubs, sports and other activities (Debate, DECA, Model UN etc.)

n Use of WIDA testing system to assess progress

Early Education Programming

English Language Learners entering our Junior School Kindergarten (JK/SK) and Montessori School (M4/M5) programs will be integrated into classes without additional English language support. These naturally embedded programs focus on social skills and vocabulary acquisition, which serves as a “natural context for children’s language development”1. Research has shown that children at these early ages learn quickly and are developing foundational language skills in their mother tongue in addition to English. Both of these language skills will develop concurrently and in a complimentary way.

ELLs entering Junior School (Grade 1), Montessori School (M6) or above will receive English language support if needed. This may include the following:

n Learning support within and outside the classroom

n After-school programming

n Exemption from taking French

English beyond the classroom

Within HSC:

HSC offers a wide range of athletics, arts, leadership and service opportunities to practise English and, best of all, have fun! We believe that real-world experiences and friendships are as important as the classroom for learning English. All of our educators and coaches are dedicated to helping English Language Learners find ways to put their language learning to use outside the classroom.

Outside HSC:

The best way to learn a language and culture is to live it. There is always something going on for students in the ELL Program. HSC organizes a variety educational activities to experience and learn about Canadian culture throughout the year, including E-week (outdoor education), Canada’s Wonderland, the Toronto Christmas Market, Niagara Falls, local sports events (e.g., Blue Jays, Raptors, Maple Leafs games), The Shaw Festival, a maple syrup farm, and much more. HSC also organizes day trips to local universities throughout the year.

Support

Student Success Centre (study skills and support)

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT ARE THE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL TESTING STANDARDS DESCRIBED ABOVE?

The external tests that HSC accepts are TOEFL, IELTS and Vericant. Internally, we use STEP and Oxford. The results from other internal assessments are also considered, such as HSC Entrance exams, the Grade 5 and 7 Canadian Achievement Test (CAT), HSC Grade 7 and 9 scholarship exams, the Grade 10 Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT) and an interview with HSC’s ELL Specialist.

WHICH ENGLISH COURSES WILL NEW AND CURRENT ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS TAKE WHEN ENTERING THE SENIOR SCHOOL?

New and current English Language Learners will be placed in the Senior School ELL Program, which is integrated into our Academic Level English offerings.

This small class approach to mainstream English courses will offer English Language Learners additional time and support with our English Language Specialist.

Students entering our Senior School ELL Program will have met the following entry requirements:

n Attained a Common European Framework (CEFR) level of C1 or above on a prescribed standardized test such as Tofel or IELTS

n Passed an oral interview with our International Student Specialist, attaining a rubric score of 3+ or higher

n Submitted an authentic writing sample, attaining a rubric score of 3+ or higher

n Preferably, completed a minimum of three years of schooling where academics were taught 80% or more in English

Frequently Asked Questions

DO ELLs TAKE FRENCH?

According to the Ontario Ministry of Education, the prerequisite for Grade 9 French is a minimum of 600 hours of French instruction or equivalent. Most ELLs entering HSC in the Middle School will be exempt from French; however, placement will be considered on an individual basis according the grade level the student is entering and prior knowledge of French. In the Middle School, ELLs will attend a Comprehensive English class in place of French class. This small class has a teacher to support students with science, social studies, math, and other academic subjects. In Grade 9, the ELLs will have other course options in place of French.

Works Cited

Supporting English Language Learners: A Practical Guide for Ontario Educators

Many Roots, Many Voices: Supporting English Language Learners in Every Classroom

Growing Success: Assessment, Evaluation and Reporting in Ontario Schools

Respect. Integrity. Community. Individuality. Determination.

Our core mission is to develop joyful and engaged students who live life with purpose. The best learning happens when students are happy to come to school, have opportunities to follow their passions, and participate in deep learning experiences that challenge them.

Joyful, engaged students develop strong relationships with their peers and with the caring adults who spark and support their learning both inside the classroom and beyond. Their journey at HSC prepares students to live with purpose—to understand their world, inspire, lead, act, and make a difference in their own unique ways.

Eric