Gaithersburg MS - E.S.O.L. | Gaithersburg MS

English Language Development (ELD) Department

Leticia Rosa – ELD Content Specialist

Welcome to the English Language Development (ELD) program which provides high-quality English language development instruction aligned to grade-level content standards in English Language Arts. These courses focus on supporting emergent multilingual students (EMLs) develop the academic language proficiency needed to learn content knowledge, skills, and processes and effectively use language to communicate proficiently in mainstream courses. These courses are designed for the rapid mastery of the English language, focusing on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.

Emergent multilingual students (EMLs) will be scheduled into English classes designed to meet their level of academic language proficiency in appropriate ways including sheltered, co-taught, single and double periods. The English Language Proficiency (ELP) levels are directly correlated with the ELP levels 1.0-4.4 on the WIDA ACCESS test.

For more information, please visit the MCPS website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/eld/ms/

From ESOL to ELD and EML

English Language Development (ELD)

English Language Development (ELD) programming and services are curricula, supports, and services for developing proficiency in English to prepare students to process and produce academic language in American English as a language of instruction.

Example Usage: English Language Development (ELD) services vary depending on a student’s English proficiency level.

Emergent Multilingual Learner (EML)

Students who speak a language other than English at home, are identified as Emergent Multilingual Learners (EML) and allows us to reflect that they are adding English to their linguistic repertoire.

Example Usage: Emergent Multilingual Learners (EMLs) benefit from integrated content and language instruction and take the WIDA ACCESS annually.

Secondary Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Program

Within the ELD Department at GMS, we also provide the Secondary SLIFE program which is designed to meet the linguistic and academic needs of emergent multilingual learners (EMLs) who have had significantly limited or interrupted formal education before enrolling in school in the United States. The purpose of the Secondary SLIFE program is to develop English language proficiency and literacy while providing the instruction and support with academics that will help narrow students' educational gaps and facilitate articulation to non-Secondary SLIFE classes.

For more information, please visit the MCPS website: https://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/eld/instruction/mets/