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About NELP

Notre Dame Seishin English Language Program

Native English Language Program
Curriculum - Junior High School

Purpose:

The Native English Language Program will allow students with a background in fundamental English language communication to effectively utilize previously acquired knowledge and skills in an advanced and accelerated program of study that will challenge their abilities and provide opportunities for further language development.

Organization:

Junior high school first grade students will have eight English lessons (eight units) per week. Junior high school second and third grade students will have nine English lessons (nine units) per week. English lessons will be divided into two parts: Language Development and Developing Fluency.

	First Grade	Second and Third Grades
Reading Comprehension :	3 units per week	3 units per week
Grammar	2 units per week	3 units per week
Oral Communication :	2 Units per week	2 units per week
Notre Dame Virtual School	1 unit per week	1 unit per week

Language Development:

Language Development helps students learn about the language and how the language operates. It allows students to build language and gain accurate control of the language through structured exercises and activities.

In Language Development, students will improve their reading comprehension, expand their vocabulary, study grammar in context, practice a variety of writing styles and engage in structured oral communication drills.

Developing Fluency:

Developing Fluency focuses on allowing students to actively use the language with emphasis on communication and self-expression over grammatical accuracy. It allows students to experience the language in a less structured atmosphere.

In Developing Fluency, students will use graded reading outside of class to enhance and expand their experience of the language, and they will engage in discussions and other oral communication activities that stress self-expression.

Four Functions:

Language Development and Developing Fluency will be expressed through four basic functions: Reading, Grammar, Writing and Oral Communication.

Reading:

In Language Development, students will read selections from Visions A, B and C by Mary Lou McCloskey and Lydia Stack. Outside of class, students will read Graded Readers. Students will study vocabulary, spelling, pronunciation, grammar in context, and strategies for reading comprehension. The class will read the text for homework. Selections from the text may be read in class. In class, the teacher will ask questions about the text. The text will then serve as a foundation for grammar development and vocabulary development. It may also serve functions in Developing Fluency as a foundation for writing or oral communication.

In Developing Fluency, students will read graded readers outside of class. Students will choose their own level and subject, and will read at their own pace. These books may act as the foundation for Developing Fluency in writing and/or oral communication.

In addition to graded reading, a wide variety of outside materials may be used in class. These may include, but will not be limited to, short stories, poems, speeches, essays, jokes, quotes, and other forms of written communication.

Grammar:

In Language Development, grammar will be studied in context through written and/or oral communication practice. In class, students will study use Progress in English 21, Books 1, 2 and 3. Students will study a variety of grammar points, from punctuation and parts of speech to verb tenses and advanced grammar structures. Grammar will be studied in context, and will be applied to sources outside the textbook. Students will learn to use grammar in writing and speaking, using written and oral models provided by the teacher and/or other students.

Generally speaking, grammar will not form a part of Developing Fluency, except in so far as correct grammar may be necessary in avoiding misunderstandings in communication.

Writing:

In Language Development, writing may take the form of structured written exercises, or guided writing along a theme. Students will learn a variety of different styles, and will practice different forms of written communication. These forms may include, but will not be limited to, sentences, paragraphs, letters, essays, book reports, short stories, poems, and research reports. Students will study the complete writing process, from brainstorming and outlining through rewriting and editing.

In Developing Fluency, writing will act as a medium of self-expression and communication. Writing will take the form of a journal, letters, or other less-structured forms of written expression.

Oral Communication:

In Language Development, Oral Communication will take the form of verbal exercises, role-playing functional activities and situations, oral communication practice of structures and/or grammar, and other structured forms of oral communication.

In Developing Fluency, Oral Communication will act as a medium of self-expression and communication. Students will learn to express themselves verbally through role-plays, discussions, debates, speeches, presentations, show-and-tell, improvisations, dramatic performances, and telling stories or even jokes. Communication will be based on topics and themes introduced in class through reading, writing and/or Language Development in oral communication.

The Notre Dame Virtual School and Graded Reading:

In addition to reading, grammar, writing and oral communication, students will also participate in the Notre Dame Virtual School. As part of both Language Development and Developing Fluency in Reading, students will use graded readers, both as a class and individually. These will serve to promote language growth through exposure to English. The Notre Dame Virtual School will provide an interactive medium for language growth, while graded readers will allow students to experience a high volume of language, thus creating an opportunity for language awareness and growth.

Notre Dame Virtual School:

Students will participate in online projects and courses through the Notre Dame Virtual School. The Notre Dame Virtual School may be accessed through the Internet and provides students with opportunities, not only to experience a dynamic curriculum through the World Wide Web, but also to interact with other students around the world who are participating in the Notre Dame Virtual School. Projects and courses available through the school will provide a foundation for a wide variety of classroom exercises, projects and activities. These projects and activities may focus on Building Language or Developing Fluency, and may take the form of written and/or oral communication activities.

Graded Reading:

Graded readers are short written works that have been measured on a scale of difficulty. This scale allows students to select reading materials that are appropriate for their reading level. Graded readers will be used to increase students' exposure to language, significantly increasing their opportunities to experience language, and through context, gain an understanding of how the language works.

In Language Development, graded readers may be selected by the teacher according to the level of the students, though the teacher may allow students to choose from among a selection of readers. Students will be expected to read the book outside of class. In class, the book will provide a foundation for building vocabulary, experiencing grammar in action, and developing awareness of the English language. Likewise, it will be used to develop students' reading comprehension skills.

In Developing Fluency, graded readers will be used as outside reading assignments. Students will be allowed to choose books which interest them, and will be able to choose books that are appropriate for their reading level. Students will be able to read at their own pace, but will be required at intervals to present either written or oral reports regarding books they have read.

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