Purpose of Program

English language skills are taught to enable limited English proficient (LEP) students to become competent in the comprehension, speaking, reading, and writing of the English language. The program emphasizes mastery of English language skills and content area concepts and skills in order to participate effectively in regular academic and vocational programs. Furthermore, the purpose of the ELL program at Whittier is to annually assess limited English proficient (LEP) students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, which is mandated by state and federal law. 

Instructional Program

The following guidelines are used to plan instructional programs for LEP students. The guidelines are organized by WIDA English Language Proficiency Performance Levels and address both English language development (ELD) instruction and sheltered content instruction.

English Language Development (ELD) instruction

• ELD instruction, also referred to as English as a second language (ESL) instruction, addresses listening, speaking, reading and writing standards as contained in the WIDA Standards of English Language Proficiency (View Website WIDA). ELD instruction is designed specifically for LEP students, and is essential if LEP students are to “catch up” to their classmates in academic content areas. The ELD curriculum is based on WIDA Standards. Whittier promotes and supports the rapid acquisition of English language proficiency by LEP students. Thus, all LEP students receive ELD/ESL instruction, and those at the Newcomer, Entering, and Emerging levels of English language proficiency will receive as much as possible.

Sheltered Content Instruction

• Sheltered content instruction is designed to make content instruction, delivered in English, more comprehensible to LEP students with a Developing or higher level of English proficiency. It will be challenging for Entering and Emerging students.