English Language Learner (ELL) Support in CBE Classrooms

Seeing the challenges of having a large ELL class and what can work to solve those challenges was so insightful.

CBE-ELL Participant

Personalization of Learning is at the core of the CBE’s approach to English Language Development (ELD). The CBE’s ELD strategy targets students’ communicative competencies, and uses ongoing language assessment to inform content and language instruction. ELD offers appropriate levels of challenge and language practice through application and scaffolded learning. Teachers respond to the teachable moments in their classes to ensure each students’ ELD experience meets their individual needs.

Explicit language instruction is essential to successful ELD. Teachers explicitly address language functions, including form, fluency and vocabulary, and ensure that students have the opportunity to practice and receive frequent feedback. CBE teachers enact these ELD strategies using multiple literacies across students’ programs of study, and do so in a way that is culturally responsive to the needs of each student.

Participating pre-service teachers will have the opportunity to work alongside CBE teachers across Calgary, experiencing how mainstream teachers provide personalization of learning and explicit language instruction in culturally responsive ways.

To get you started...

Pre-service teachers will participate in a workshop at the CBE's Kingsland Centre focusing on English Language Development principles
Pre-service teachers will be placed in pairs with interested teachers in K-9 classrooms in the CBE

In the schools...

Participants will work with the teacher to provide one-to-one or small-group support based on students’ needs, with a focus on providing ELL and academic support to students during class time.
Individual activities will vary based on students’ needs and the preferences of each participating teacher, with a goal to providing participants with as much direct, meaningful engagement with students as possible.

Along the way...

School visits and other activities will be scheduled based on participant availability and students' needs
Participants will also have the opportunity to attend workshops offered by Werklund Faculty and Kingsland ELL specialists to deepen their understanding of how teachers support ELL students in mainstream classrooms.

Additional Information

School-based English Language Learning program
Age of Children/Youth: 5-13 Years Old, depending on grade/school

Program Locations

Kingsland Centre, Calgary Board of Education - 7430 5 St SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1B1
1 participating school in Calgary (2-4 students per school):
- Connaught School (K-6, Traditional Calendar)
- Manmeet Singh Bhullar (K-5, Modified Calendar)
- Peter Lougheed (5-9, Traditional Calendar)
- Marlborough (K-5, Modified Calendar)
- Hugh A Bennett (K-4, Traditional Calendar)

Please Note: Modified Calendar Schools have moved to Traditional Calendar timelines for Fall 2020.

Requirements

Pre-service teachers need a current Police Information Check with Vulnerable Sector Screening (issued after July 1, 2020). Unlike other service-learning placements, this police check must be a Calgary Police Service ePIC. Participants must list the Calgary Board of Education as the partner organization, not the University of Calgary. Additional information about the Police Check process for this placement will be provided at the Orientation session.
Priority will be given to pre-service teachers currently enrolled in EDUC 201.

Making Connections

Throughout the year, pre-service teachers will curate their service experiences using a creative medium (e.g., photos, art, storyboarding, videos, etc.) that best reflects their experiences in the program. Your creative reflections will form part of a public showcase of Werklund’s service-learning program later in the year.
Pre-service teachers will participate in 2 group meetings each semester: one at the mid-point and another at the end of their placement (1 hour each). These group meetings provide pre-service teachers with opportunities to reflect on the service-learning experience, and to guide improvements for the program.

Dates and Times

Program Dates: November 2020 - March 2021
Individual dates and times will vary based on school schedules and participant availability.
Service-Learning Orientation: Friday, October 2
Orientation to the placement and your partner teacher: Late October (Marlborough School)
Kingsland Centre Tour and ELL PD Session: Mid November
~12 Weekly School Visits (2-3 hours each): November 2020 to March 2021, with breaks for participants' exams and, if applicable, January diploma exams
Winter PD Session: Late January
Project Debrief Session: Week of March 8 (specific date TBD)

In total, pre-service teachers agree to commit to a minimum of 40-50 hours for their service-learning experience

Please Note

Participants must attend all of the scheduled PD sessions to receive Co-Curricular credit and the certificate of completion from CBE.

Applications are now closed. Please check back for more updates.

Seeing a child light up at a new understanding or recognizing a new letter is amazing and it always makes me feel proud of what I am doing.