English Language Development
At Western High School we are fortunate to have an English Language Development (ELD) Department that includes three ELD teachers, Mrs. Criner, Mrs Dare and Ms. Shozi.
Western High School currently has approximately 450 English Learners, approximately 150 of which are in ELD classes.
Western High School's English Learner Administrator is Mr. Jauregui, who is also an Assistant Principal. Mrs. Cardenas is Western's English Learner Counselor.
Western also has two translators to assist our English learners, one full-time Spanish translator and one part-time Vietnamese translator.
Our ELD program is structured with four levels, ELD I, ELD II, ELD III, and ELD IV. While some students learn a little slower and may need at least one year per level, other students may learn more quickly and can progress through the department in less time.
ELD I develops students foundational language knowledge. Curriculum focuses on vocabulary, survival language skills, parts of speech, early writing stages (sentences and paragraphs), reading simple texts, and developing speaking skills.
ELD II continues students progress with their listening, speaking, reading and writing. Instruction focuses on expanding their writing skills to develop full essays, as well as reading articles and novels. Students also begin to develop impromptu speaking skills which include read-alouds.
ELD III is the final stage of our ELD program. Students are now writing essays, reading books independently and learning how to develop their writing skills by varying their sentences, word choice and syntax. Curriculum emphasizes independent critical thinking which will prepare them for mainstream English classes.
ELD IV is an additional period of support for students that completed ELD III but still need more English language development. This course continues the skills that were learned in ELD III. This course is taken in conjunction with English 1 or English 2.
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