Page 55 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9-12: English As a Second Language and English Literacy Development, 2007

THE ROLE OF THE SCHOOL LIBRARY IN ESL AND ELD PROGRAMS
The school library program can help to build and transform students’ knowledge to support lifelong learning in our information- and knowledge-based society. The school library program supports student success across the language curriculum by encouraging students to read widely, teaching them to read for understanding and enjoyment, and helping them to improve their research skills and to use information gathered through research effectively. The school library program enables students to:
develop a love of reading for learning and for pleasure;
acquire an understanding of the richness and diversity of literary and informa- tional texts produced in Canada and around the world;
obtain access to programs, resources, and integrated technologies that support all curriculum areas;
understand and value the role of public library systems as a resource for lifelong learning;
obtain access to materials in their first language that will help clarify concepts and support their learning while they are developing proficiency in English.
The school library program plays a key role in the development of information literacy and research skills. In collaboration with classroom or content-area teachers, teacher- librarians develop, teach, and provide students with authentic information and research tasks that foster learning, including the ability to:
locate, select, gather, critically evaluate, create, and communicate information;
use the information obtained to solve problems, make decisions, build knowledge, create personal meaning, and enrich their lives;
communicate their findings for different audiences, using a variety of formats and technologies;
use information and research with understanding, responsibility, and imagination.
THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN ESL AND ELD PROGRAMS
Information and communications technologies (ICT) provide a range of tools that can significantly extend and enrich teachers’ instructional strategies and support students’ language learning. Computer programs can help students collect, organize, and sort the data they gather, and write, edit, and present reports on their findings. Information and communications technologies can also be used to connect students to other schools, at home and abroad, and to bring the global community into the local classroom.
Whenever appropriate, therefore, students should be encouraged to use ICT to support and communicate their learning. For example, students working individually or in groups can use computer technology and/or Internet websites to gain access to muse- ums and archives in Canada and around the world. Students can also use digital cam- eras and projectors to design and present the results of their research to their classmates.
SOME CONSIDERATIONS FOR PROGRAM PLANNING IN ESL AND ELD
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