Academic Language Development GRADE: 9-12 CREDITS: 5 COLLEGE RECOMMENDED? No

PREREQUISITES: None

Academic Language Development is designed for English Language Learners, including long-term English Learners, to develop high levels of academic achievement and proficiency across the core content areas in reading, writing, listening and speaking. This course follows the California English Language Development standards and is designed for students to build competence and confidence through consistent strategic partner work and collaborative instructional routines needed for success in core academic content classes. Students will develop an understanding of how academic language is a complex, dynamic, and necessary resource for making meaning. Students will focus on academic vocabulary development, language, syntax, grammar and writing structures through close reading of grade level informational and literary texts. Students learn how text structure, language features, and vocabulary vary depending upon purpose and audience and they develop academic language proficiency to recognize the various purposes, audiences and text types. Students draw upon their home languages and cultures as resources to build proficiency in English.