English Learner (EL) Services
English Learner and Multilingual Learner Course Descriptions
Multilingual Learners (ML), or English Learner (EL), courses develop academic English language proficiency through narrating, explaining, arguing, and informing content from English language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Guided by WIDA English Language Development Standards and Maryland College and Career-Ready Standards, the WCPS EL program adjusts instruction to student’s strengths and needs for ELs to communicate effectively in English with cultural proficiency, achieve in academic subjects, and fully acquire English. Proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking is measured annually on the Maryland Comprehensive Assessment Program (MCAP), ACCESS for ELLs assessment. * These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. In semester courses, a student may earn one elective credit. In year-long courses, a student may earn up to two elective credits.
NEWCOMER ML/EL (A180 or A180SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
This course is designed for students who are new to the country with limited English proficiency and is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards. Students focus on developing social and academic language in listening, speaking, reading, and writing while targeting academic vocabulary and academic skills. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. Prerequisite: Level 1 Proficiency
BEGINNER ML/EL (A181 or A181SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
This course aligns with the WIDA English Language Development Standards and the Maryland College and Career Ready Standards. Students continue to develop social and academic language while building literacy through speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. The course is for beginning-level ML/EL students (Level 2) and/or those recommended by the ML/EL teacher and the counselor. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. Prerequisite: Level 2 Proficiency
INTERMEDIATE ML/EL (A182 or A182SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
This course aligns with both the WIDA English Language Development Standards and the Maryland College and Career Ready English Standards. Students focus on developing listening, speaking, reading, and writing with an emphasis on more complex text, reading comprehension, and academic writing. The course is for intermediate-level ML/EL students (Level 3) and/or those recommended by the ML/EL teacher and the counselor. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. Prerequisite: Level 3 Proficiency
ADVANCED ML/EL (A184 or A184SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
This course aligns with both the WIDA English Language Development Standards and the Maryland College and Career Ready English Standards. Students develop fluency in reading critically and in crafting well-written compositions, including the use of descriptive, narrative, and argumentative techniques. Students expand and bridge critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Complex informational texts are used to teach literacy skills in English that transfer to academic content areas to ensure more independent success and work toward career and college readiness. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. Prerequisite: Level 4 Proficiency
ACCELERATED ML/EL (A186 or A186SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Developed for Long-Term English Learners, this course integrates high-interest subject-matter content to accelerate English literacy, language development, and academic vocabulary. Students will read and respond to multiple genres of text with a focus on comprehension, vocabulary development, and advanced grammatical structures needed to read and write academic, grade-level language. This course aligns with the Maryland College and Career-Ready English Language Development Standards. Students are enrolled upon the recommendation of the ML/EL teacher. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track. Prerequisite: Long Term ML/EL or at risk of becoming Long Term ML/EL
EXTENDED ML/EL (A187 or A187SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
This course will develop the academic and communication skills necessary for success in all content areas. This course reinforces the academic language of English, math, social studies, and/or science and provides state assessment support aligned with WIDA standards. These courses will not count for the University of Maryland Completer Program, but credits will count towards graduation and ninth grade on track.