English Language Development

What is English Language Development (ELD)?

English Language Development (ELD) in elementary school is a program designed to help students who are learning English as an additional language. Here’s what parents should know about it:

- Focus on English Proficiency: ELD classrooms focus on teaching students how to pronounce the sound system of English, the structure and forms of words in English, the rules of ordering English words in sentences, English vocabulary, and how to use English in different situations and contexts¹.
- Reading Skills: Throughout the elementary years, kids deepen their ability to read. They study sight words, which are words that don’t fit conventional spelling patterns, and memorize spelling and vocabulary lists. Elementary students learn punctuation and syntax (the proper order of words), the parts of speech, and verb tenses².
- Parental Involvement: Research points to parents and caretakers as invaluable stakeholders in students’ academic achievement³. Parents can take an active role in helping their child learn to organize his or her study time, monitor engagement, limit distractions, build consistency, and celebrate periods of concentration³. They can also set aside a quiet place for their child to learn and read at home, and be available to answer questions.
- Resources for Parents: Parents should utilize school-based technological and translation resources, including bilingual dictionaries, home anchor charts, and web-based language translation applications, if needed³. They should also take time to discuss school matters with their child, asking questions about the school day: friends, concepts learned, struggles and discomforts, successes and achievements.

Remember, the goal of ELD is to help students become proficient in English and succeed acadically. As a parent, your involvement and support can make a significant difference in your child’s learning journey.

Learn more

ELD Curriculum This School Year

Benchmark Advance ELD PLC... - Benchmark Advance ELD PLC

Benchmark Advance is a comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) program for elementary students ¹. Here’s what parents should know about it:

Remember, the goal of the Benchmark Advance ELD curriculum is to help students become proficient in English and succeed academically. As a parent, your involvement and support can make a significant difference in your child’s learning journey.

ELD Curriculum for 2024-2025 School Year

The English Language Development (ELD) component of the Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) curriculum is designed to support English Language Learners (ELLs) in elementary schools. Here’s what parents should know about it:

Integrated Approach: The ELD component of CKLA is integrated into the overall curriculum. It blends language support, vocabulary, knowledge building, and listening comprehension skill development ¹.
Parallel Lessons: The ELD lessons parallel the CKLA curriculum to support students as they move between the two programs ².
Explicit Teaching of Vocabulary: The ELD component includes explicit teaching of academic and domain vocabulary that ties back to and unlocks the meaning in complex texts ².
Instruction in All Four Domains of Language: The ELD component provides daily lessons for instruction in all four domains of language: reading, writing, speaking, and listening ².

Remember, the goal of the ELD component of the CKLA curriculum is to help English Language Learners become proficient in English and succeed academically. As a parent, your involvement and support can make a significant difference in your child’s learning journey.