English as a Second Language

English as a Second Language (ESL) and
English Literacy Development (ELD)

English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD)

The OCSB offers English as a Second Language (ESL) and English Literacy Development (ELD) programs to support students who are English language learners at the Elementary and Secondary levels.

English language learners are students whose first language is one other than English or a variety of English that is significantly different from the one used for instruction in Ontario’s schools and are students who may require focused educational support to assist them in attaining proficiency in English.

Our ESL Program is intended for English language learners with age-appropriate first-language literacy skills and educational backgrounds. Our ELD Program supports English language learners who, due to various factors, have had limited opportunities to develop age-appropriate language, literacy, and numeracy skills in their first language. Students taking ELD courses receive support for both language acquisition and academic upgrading.

How Our Students Get Support:
ESL and ELD Credit Courses

How Our Students Get Support:
ESL and ELD Credit Courses

At the Elementary and Intermediate levels, students receive support in their home school from their classroom teachers and direct or indirect support from an ESL itinerant teacher.

At the Secondary level, schools offer language learning programs to students who are English language learners. ESL credit courses (ESLAO to ESLEO) and ELD credit courses (ELDAO to ELD EO) are available at the following sites:

• Holy Trinity High School.
• Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School.
• St. Francis Xavier High School.
• St. Mother Teresa High School.
• St. Patrick’s High School.
• St. Pius X High School.
• Immaculata High School.

Up to three ESL or ELD courses can be applied to the four compulsory English credits required for diploma purposes. These courses are designed to support students as they develop cognitive academic language proficiency in various content areas and are credit-bearing for diploma purposes.

Factors Affecting Second Language Acquisition:

Many factors influence second-language acquisition, including the level of first-language literacy, previous educational experience and exposure to English, language(s) spoken at home, stage of acculturation, possible effects of trauma, length of time in Canada, possible presence of learning exceptionalities (both giftedness or learning disabilities), and past educational experiences. All of these factors are of equal importance.