English as an Additional Language

Ms. T. Baron | Department Head   

ELL Teachers

Ms. V. Roland

Ms. A. Miller

Mr. S. Coderre

Mr. O. Kollar

Ms. T. Baron

ELL Program Overview

Sir Charles Tupper has an ELL Program which supports both resident and International students in pursuing academic success. We do this by identifying individual student needs and designing a timetable to meet these needs. Our goal is to maximize students’ exposure to academic English in order to ensure that they are adequately prepared for senior level courses on the Dogwood Graduation program.

Students are placed in ELL classes according to their level of achievement and comprehension in English. This is determined by an analysis of their language acquisition progress according the BC Ministry of Education Standards for ELL. 

Students acquire language at their own pace; one level does not necessarily equate to one year.

Beginner and Intermediate Level Support Classes

Beginner and Intermediate language learning students are scheduled in ELL English, ELL Socials, and ELL Academic Language Development instead of taking grade-level English and Socials classes.

Transitional English Classes

Students who use English at the Expanding/Consolidating level are enrolled in Transitional English, Transitional Writing, and Transitional Social Studies courses.

These three courses give students core graduation credit at the Grade 10 level. They use texts from the regular English and Social Studies programs; however, there is more emphasis on vocabulary and basic English skills than there would be in a regular class.

Success in these courses leads directly to placement in regular courses. Grade level placement depends on the degree of success experienced by each student. 

Academic Writing for ELL Learners

Academic Writing 11 (formerly ELC) offers one block of continued growth and support in writing skills to Transitional English students and integrated students who need it. It is the final level of ELL support that a student receives before leaving the ELL program.

TWO DISTRICT ELL/ESL PROGRAMS

In addition to our regular ELL Program, we host two district programs to support resident English Language Learners with specific needs: the Literacy Program and the I-LEAD Program. Please contact the VSB Newcomer Welcome Centre for information about program intake.