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ESL

Our ESL (English as an Additional Language) teachers are so excited to meet you and learn with you.

Here at T.A. Blakelock we have many different course options to help support the language development of our multilingual learners, while still continuing along the academic pathway to support all future goals and postsecondary plans, whether that be work, college, university, etc. 

Our ESL program isn't just grammar! Here at T.A. Blakelock, we feel that there is so much more to language learning, so we try to incorporate fun activities, as well as learning about our community to help prepare students for future courses and life outside of school.

Newcomers don't always get to experience the same activities as Canadian-born students, so we incorporate activities throughout the year to help students understand what different holidays are all about, and we give our students opportunities to experience and try "typical" Canadian activities

This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce the English language and help students adjust to their new cultural environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes; use basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns in short conversations; read short adapted texts; and write phrases and short sentences. The course also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

Prerequisite: None

This course expands students’ listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in English for everyday and academic purposes. Students will participate in conversations, in structured situations, on a variety of familiar and new topics; link English sentences to compose paragraphs; read a variety of texts designed or adapted for English language learners; and expand their knowledge of English grammatical structures and sentence patterns. The course also supports students’ continuing adaptation to the Ontario school system by expanding their cultural knowledge of their new province and country.

Prerequisite: ESLAO1 or equivalent*

This course extends students’ skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English for a variety of everyday and academic purposes. Students will make short classroom presentations; read a variety of adapted and original texts in English; and write using a variety of forms of text. Students will also expand their academic vocabulary and their study skills to facilitate the transition to the mainstream school program. This course also introduces students to the rights and responsibilities inherent in Canadian citizenship, and to a variety of current Canadian issues.

Prerequisite: ESLBO1 or equivalent*

This course prepares students to use English with increasing fluency and accuracy in classroom and social situations and to participate in Canadian society as informed citizens. Students will develop the reading, writing, and oral presentation skills required for success in all school subjects. They will study and interpret a variety of grade-level texts; extend listening and speaking skills through participation in discussions and seminars; write narratives, articles, and summaries in English; and respond critically to various print and media texts.

Prerequisite: ESLCO1 or equivalent*

This course provides students with the skills and strategies they need to make the transition to college and university preparation courses in English and other secondary school disciplines. Students will be encouraged to develop independence in a range of academic tasks. They will participate in debates and lead classroom workshops; read and interpret literary works and academic texts; write essays, narratives, and reports; and apply a range of learning strategies and research skills effectively. Students will further develop their ability to respond critically to print and media texts.

Prerequisite: ESLDO1 or equivalent*

This course is geared toward the ELL Drama students. This introductory course builds confidence in public speaking and performance, providing foundations in performance skills and staging techniques. Students will explore creative thinking and expression, creative movement, vocal skills, scene creation, role-playing, analysis, and improvisation.

This course explores what it means to be an informed, participating citizen in a democratic society. Students will learn about the elements of democracy and the meaning of democratic citizenship in local, national, and global contexts. In addition, students will learn about social change, examine decision-making processes in Canada, explore their own and others’ beliefs and perspectives on civics questions, and learn how to think and act critically and creatively about public issues. This course combines expectations from CIVICS (CHV2O) with expectations from ESLCO and ESLDO in order to meet the needs of students who have recently arrived from other countries with limited knowledge of English and/or limited educational experience.

This course teaches students how to develop and achieve personal goals for future learning, work, and community involvement. Students will assess their interests, skills and characteristics and investigate current economic and workplace trends, work opportunities and ways to search for work. The course explores postsecondary learning and career options, prepares students for managing work and life transitions, and helps students focus on their goals through the development of a career plan. This course combines expectations from CAREERS (GLC2O1) with expectations from ESLCO and ESLDO in order to meet the needs of students who have recently arrived from other countries with limited knowledge of English and/or limited educational experience.

This course focuses on learning strategies to help students become better, more independent English language learners. Students will learn how to develop and apply literacy and numeracy skills, personal-management skills, and interpersonal and teamwork skills to improve their learning and achievement in school, the workplace, and the community. The course helps students build confidence and motivation to pursue opportunities for success in secondary school and beyond.

This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce the English language and help students adjust to their new cultural environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes; use basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns in short conversations; read short adapted texts; and write phrases and short sentences. The course also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

Prerequisite: None

This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce the English language and help students adjust to their new cultural environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes; use basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns in short conversations; read short adapted texts; and write phrases and short sentences. The course also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

Prerequisite: None

This course builds on students’ previous education and language knowledge to introduce the English language and help students adjust to their new cultural environment. Students will use beginning English language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing for everyday and essential academic purposes; use basic English language structures and simple sentence patterns in short conversations; read short adapted texts; and write phrases and short sentences. The course also provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to begin to adapt to their new lives in Canada.

Prerequisite: None