Shanghai American School EAL Program Mission & Beliefs (published 29 November, 2016) OUR MISSION: The mission of Shanghai American School’s English as Additional Language (EAL) program is to build students’ conceptual understanding and language competence, along with developmentally appropriate and discipline-specific communication practices. We aim to provide students with the academic language tools and skills necessary to successfully engage in and reflect on their learning, both within and beyond the classroom. WE BELIEVE: Academic Literacy Across the Curriculum ● Academic language and academic content knowledge are interrelated ● Instruction for English language acquisition must be intentional and explicit ● Language learners require multiple opportunities to interact with text
Language learners benefit from multiple opportunities to interact and collaborate with English speakers to meaningfully construct knowledge and academic language
Home Language and Culture ● Students bring prior knowledge to their learning experiences ● Individuals and communities are enriched when they embrace cultural and linguistic diversity ● Students’ learning and language development is enhanced when their home language, culture, and background knowledge are valued and incorporated into the academic environment ProgressiveScaffolding ● All children can access grade-level, standards-based curriculum through the use of instructional scaffolds that progress English language acquisition and development ● Academic language skills increase when meaningful, active, and structured language practice and interaction occur in the mainstream classroom Differentiation ● Students’ acquisition of language proficiency occurs at different rates ● Students learn best when the linguistic complexity of the task matches students’ language proficiency and development Assessment ● Assessments should consider the diversity of students through the use of a wide range of tools and practices ● A variety of performance-based assessment tools and techniques should be used toinform instruction Accessible, Standards-driven Instruction and Curriculum ● Academic language learning occurs in the context of rigorous, standards-based, content-driven, grade-level appropriate curriculum Metacognition and Student Autonomy ● Students develop metacognitive, linguistic, and cultural awareness by learning to self-advocate in an international community Our Teachers ● Commit to using best practices
Consider the whole child when implementing support structures
● Work collaboratively with content teachers to improve the learning environment and outcomes ● Participate regularly in current, research-based training ● Are adaptive ● Advocate for students and their families SAS Core Values [approved by the School Board March 29, 2011]
We believe that:
embracing diversity enriches individuals and communities;
acts of compassion and generosity of spirit create a better world;
when individuals take responsibility for their own decisions, they are empowered to make positive impact;
each individual has intrinsic value and the potential to contribute to society;
collaboration is key to overcoming complex challenges and achieving common goals;
integrity is the foundation of enduring relationships, quality institutions and well-functioning communities;
as global citizens we have a duty to care for the earth and its inhabitants to ensure the well-being of humankind;
creativity, critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning are essential to personal fulfillment and to meet the challenges of the future.
SAS Mission [approved by the School Board March 29, 2011]
Shanghai American School inspires in all students:
a lifelong passion for learning,
a commitment to act with integrity and compassion, and
the courage to live their dreams.
Mission & Beliefs
(published 29 November, 2016)
OUR MISSION:
The mission of Shanghai American School’s English as Additional Language (EAL) program is to build students’ conceptual understanding and language competence, along with developmentally appropriate and discipline-specific communication practices. We aim to provide students with the academic language tools and skills necessary to successfully engage in and reflect on their learning, both within and beyond the classroom.
WE BELIEVE:
Academic Literacy Across the Curriculum
● Academic language and academic content knowledge are interrelated
● Instruction for English language acquisition must be intentional and explicit
● Language learners require multiple opportunities to interact with text
Home Language and Culture
● Students bring prior knowledge to their learning experiences
● Individuals and communities are enriched when they embrace cultural and linguistic diversity
● Students’ learning and language development is enhanced when their home language, culture, and background knowledge are valued and incorporated into the academic environment
ProgressiveScaffolding
● All children can access grade-level, standards-based curriculum through the use of instructional scaffolds that progress English language acquisition and development
● Academic language skills increase when meaningful, active, and structured language practice and interaction occur in the mainstream classroom
Differentiation
● Students’ acquisition of language proficiency occurs at different rates
● Students learn best when the linguistic complexity of the task matches students’ language proficiency and development
Assessment
● Assessments should consider the diversity of students through the use of a wide range of tools and practices
● A variety of performance-based assessment tools and techniques should be used toinform instruction
Accessible, Standards-driven Instruction and Curriculum
● Academic language learning occurs in the context of rigorous, standards-based, content-driven, grade-level appropriate curriculum
Metacognition and Student Autonomy
● Students develop metacognitive, linguistic, and cultural awareness by learning to self-advocate in an international community
Our Teachers
● Commit to using best practices
- Consider the whole child when implementing support structures
● Work collaboratively with content teachers to improve the learning environment and outcomes● Participate regularly in current, research-based training
● Are adaptive
● Advocate for students and their families
SAS Core Values [approved by the School Board March 29, 2011]
We believe that:
embracing diversity enriches individuals and communities;
acts of compassion and generosity of spirit create a better world;
when individuals take responsibility for their own decisions, they are empowered to make positive impact;
each individual has intrinsic value and the potential to contribute to society;
collaboration is key to overcoming complex challenges and achieving common goals;
integrity is the foundation of enduring relationships, quality institutions and well-functioning communities;
as global citizens we have a duty to care for the earth and its inhabitants to ensure the well-being of humankind;
creativity, critical thinking and a lifelong passion for learning are essential to personal fulfillment and to meet the challenges of the future.
SAS Mission [approved by the School Board March 29, 2011]
Shanghai American School inspires in all students:
a lifelong passion for learning,
a commitment to act with integrity and compassion, and
the courage to live their dreams.