Page 7 - The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 9-12: English As a Second Language and English Literacy Development, 2007

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS IN ONTARIO
English language learners are students in provincially funded English-language schools whose first language is a language other than English, or is a variety of English that is significantly different from the variety used for instruction in Ontario’s schools, and who may require focused educational support to assist them in attaining proficiency
in English. They may be Canadian-born or recently arrived from other countries. They come from diverse backgrounds and school experiences, and have a variety of strengths and needs.
Newcomers to Ontario. Newcomers to Ontario from countries around the world may arrive at any point between Grade 9 and Grade 12. They may enter school at the begin- ning of the school year or at any time during the year. The level of support newcomers require to succeed in the classroom will depend on their age, country of origin, and pre- vious educational experience. Some newcomers arrive in Canada with their families as part of a voluntary, planned immigration process. These students have usually received formal education in their countries of origin, and some may have studied English as a foreign language. Some newcomers arrive in Canada under more urgent conditions: for example, fleeing crises in their homelands. These young people have often suffered trau- matic experiences, and some may have been separated from family members. They may have been in transit for a few years, and they may or may not have had access to formal education in their homeland or while in transit.
International or Visa Students. International or visa students are usually of secondary school age, although some may arrive earlier. They pay fees to attend school in Ontario, and often plan to attend a Canadian college or university. These students typically arrive in Canada without their families. They may live with older siblings, with members of the extended family, or under the care of a guardian or home-stay program; older students may live alone. Many have had some instruction in English; nevertheless, they often need considerable support to develop the level of English proficiency required for success in Ontario schools.
Canadian-Born Students. Most English language learners entering secondary school are newcomers from other countries; however, others are Canadian-born, such as the following:
learners returning from a prolonged stay in another country where they received education in a language other than English;
learners from Aboriginal communities who speak a first language other than English;
learners from communities that have maintained distinct cultural and linguistic traditions who choose to enter English-language schools and who have a first lan- guage other than English.
INTRODUCTION
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