This lesson will provide a sample syllabus that high school English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers could distribute to students to provide them with essential course information.
The syllabus is an important document for ESL high school students. It includes pertinent information about the course, giving a general overview of what will be learned and how students will be assessed.
The syllabus also provides parents and guardians with teacher and school contacts and other information they will need to help their children be successful during the academic year.
Let's look at some examples of common sections of a high school syllabus for ESL students.
What will students be learning this year?
How will students spend their time learning? Will you use project-based learning, cooperative learning, inquiry-based learning, lectures, or some other format?
What goals and standards will be met? For example, will students strive to gain proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, listening, and speaking?
What are some of the resources and texts that will be utilized? Will they read classic literature, biographies, non-fiction, drama, and poetry?
It is a good idea to list the title and author of any textbooks that will be used during the course. If students are required to purchase their own books, include information about where to find a copy. Also provide any access codes to supplementary materials that students can access on the Internet.
Some of these materials, such as the bilingual dictionary, are often provided to students during the first week of class. The note on the syllabus serves as a reminder to bring the items to each class.
One of the most important aspects of the ESL high school syllabus is the section about what students will be learning and what content standards will be met throughout the course.
Unit I: Nutrition - How can I help create healthier lunch options in the school cafeteria?
Unit II: Early Americans - How did early Americans survive?
Unit III: Entrepreneurship - What does it take to open a successful business in my community?
Unit IV: Engineering and Physics - How can I design a better bridge?
Also provide a list of content standards that will be met over the course of the year, depending on which standards are used for ESL students in your state and district.
How and when will students be assessed?
What is the school and/or district's grading scale?
What assessment methods will be used? Will formative, summative, informal, performance-based, standardized, or portfolio assessments be used?
What is the policy for submitting late work?
How are quarterly or semester grades calculated?
Will there be regular homework assignments?
How can students make up work after an absence?
One way to ensure that parents and guardians receive a copy of the student syllabus and understand the guidelines of your class is to request signatures. At the bottom of the last page of the syllabus, or on a separate sheet of paper, provide a space for students, parents, and guardians to sign, indicating that they have read the document, and they comprehend it.
Another thing to consider is that many parents aren't literate in English and will need to have the document translated. Reach out to your building principal or your district's ESL or International Student Services Office to request translation services from a bilingual facilitator.
A high school ESL course syllabus is an important document that outlines the course information and objectives, as well as student expectations. The syllabus should include teacher contact information, a course overview, information about the textbook and supplies, the course content and standards, and grading guidelines. You might consider requesting that both students and parents sign the document to indicate that they agree to abide by the guidelines. Finally, you might also consider providing a translated version of the syllabus for students and parents with limited English proficiency.