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English Language Development

Welcome to the English Language Development (ELD) Department at Wakefield High School!

Our department is dedicated to supporting students in their journey to master the English language. We offer a range of courses and programs designed to enhance language proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.

Our experienced and compassionate teachers provide a nurturing and inclusive environment where students can build their confidence and achieve academic success.

Join us as we empower students to become effective communicators and active participants in our diverse community!


English Learner (EL) Services provide English language development for students eligible for EL services. English Language Development (ELD) courses are aligned with both the WIDA English Language Proficiency Standards and Virginia Standards of Learning.

English learners take language arts (a two-period block) with teachers who are dually certified in ESOL and English language arts. ELs take science and social studies with a certified ESOL teacher, in a co-taught classroom, or in a general education setting. ELs also participate in general education electives and physical education. Students are recommended for mathematics courses based on readiness. English credit is earned in credit-bearing grade level English language arts courses that provide scaffolded instruction aligned to the EL’s level of English language proficiency. Successful completion of these courses allows ELs to meet the English requirement for graduation. Additional ELD classes carry elective or content credit, as noted below.

Note: Courses that have fewer than 15 students may not be offered based on student interest and budget considerations. In some cases, additional budget considerations may require that courses may not be offered in any given year and impacted students should select an alternative course. Additionally, courses with insufficient enrollment may be offered through distance learning or online learning.

ELD Courses

ELD 1/SLIFE Connect: an Introduction to English

Full Year (20776)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9

This course is designed for English Learners (ELs) who have been identified as students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). And is designed to meet their foundational language needs. This course provides a supportive and engaging environment for learners to build foundational English language skills while exploring cultural contexts.This class earns an elective credit.

Prerequisites: Placement based on SLIFE status.

ELD 1/SLIFE Literacy Development

Full Year (20775)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9

This course is designed for English Learners (ELs) who have been identified as students with limited or interrupted formal education (SLIFE). The course will address components of foundational literacy and other aspects of English language development. This class earns an elective credit.

Prerequisites: Placement based on SLIFE status.

ELD 3 English 9

Full Year (20796)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, English

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

Prerequisites: Placement based on English Language proficiency assessments

English Language Development 1

Full Year (20787)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course focuses on English language development for students at English language proficiency (ELP) level 1 and supports language development, focusing on social and academic English. Through authentic, relevant content and sequenced lessons, students will use and develop language while engaging in activities that integrate the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will enhance their critical thinking skills through the use of language when interpreting and accessing information, ideas, and concepts from a variety of sources. This course is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework. English learners (ELs) enrolled in English 11 are also eligible to enroll in English 11 Extension. English 11 Extension will serve as their English language development course.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.

English Language Development 2

Full Year (20791)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course focuses on English language development for students at English language proficiency (ELP) level 2 and supports language development, focusing on social and academic English. Through authentic, relevant content and sequenced lessons, students will use and develop language while engaging in activities that integrate the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will enhance their critical thinking skills through the use of language when interpreting and accessing information, ideas, and concepts from a variety of sources. This course is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework. ELs enrolled in English 11 are also eligible to enroll in English 11 Extension. English 11 Extension will serve as their English language development course.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.

English Language Development 3

Full Year (20794)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course focuses on English language development for students at English language proficiency (ELP) level 3 and supports language development, focusing on social and academic English. Through authentic, relevant content and sequenced lessons, students will use and develop language while engaging in activities that integrate the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will enhance their critical thinking skills through the use of language when interpreting and accessing information, ideas, and concepts from a variety of sources. This course is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework. English learners (ELs) enrolled in English 11 are also eligible to enroll in English 11 Extension. English 11 Extension will serve as their English language development course.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.

English Language Development 4

Full Year (20797)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This elective course focuses on English Language Development for students at English language proficiency (ELP) level 4 and supports language development, focusing on social and academic English. Through authentic, relevant content and sequenced lessons, students will use and develop language while engaging in activities that integrate the four language domains of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will enhance their critical thinking skills through the use of language when interpreting and accessing information, ideas, and concepts from a variety of sources. This course is aligned with the WIDA English Language Development Standards Framework. English learners (ELs) enrolled in English 11 are also eligible to enroll in English 11 Extension. English 11 Extension will serve as their English language development course.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.

English Language Development for Social Studies

Full Year (20789)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This course is based on the content of World Geography (22210), World History II (22345), US & VA History (22360), and US & VA Government (22440), allowing English learners at ELP Level 1, including English language proficiency (ELP) Level 1 SLIFE students, to build content knowledge while continuing to develop their academic language. Please see the descriptions of those four courses for detailed information. This course counts as an elective credit.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.

English Language Development for Science

Full Year (20780)

Level: High School

Content Area: English Language Development, Elective

Grade(s): 9, 10, 11, 12

This course is based on the content from Principles of Physics (24501), Environmental Science (24362), and Biology (23410), allowing English learners at English language proficiency (ELP) Level 1, including ELP Level 1 Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE), to build foundational content knowledge while continuing to develop their academic language. Please see the descriptions of those three courses for detailed information. This course counts as an elective credit.

Prerequisites: Placement based on composite WIDA score and other performance data.