ESL Programs – Overview of Course Profiles/Texts (St. Robert –D. Bishop)
ESL BO1- High Beginner
The course focuses on developing the use of more complex sentence patterns, developing
oral classroom skills and reading strategies. Students are introduces to the language of
classroom studies and learn how to use school and community resources.
Units of study: New Beginnings (empowering students to learn-experiences) Ontario Orientation,
Canadian Media, Canadian Celebrations, Canadian Culture/Geography, Historical Canada
Resources – novels (fiction, non-fiction), dictionaries, grammar books, library, Listen to Loon, Beginning
Look at Canada, English workbooks (vocabulary expansion, comprehension, build oral and written
fluency) A Canadian Conversation Book, Anne of Green Gables, Emma & I
ESL CO1 – Intermediate
The aim at this level is to improve the students’ use of English in the classroom for personal and career
planning. Various forms of writing are introduced and paragraph writing is emphasized. Students study
and interpret a range of texts and develop oral presentation skills and improve on study skills.
Units of Study – In Our Own Voices – (continuation of BO, but with emphasis on acculturalization
process), Career Exploration (guidance/library research), Building a Sense of Community
(Contributions of Immigrants to Canada), Preparing Catholic Graduates for Success in the Workplace,
Resources – novels, library, guidance career material, grammar/dictionaries, Seedfolk, Emma, The
Client, The Picture of Dorian Gray, English workbooks to prompt conversations (moral choices, ethics)
reference material for resume writing, vocabulary building
ESL DO1 – High Intermediate
The course prepares students to become informed citizens with further development of reading, writing and
oral presentational skills. Essay writing is introduced and students participate in informal debates and
seminars. Research skills are further developed.
Units of Study – Coming of Age (short story, poetry, writing process, non-fiction prose, goal setting),
Journeys to Freedom (response to refugee/immigrant stories, media presentation creative writing,
Rights and Obligations (Canadian Charter of Rights, Ontario Human Rights Code, Universal Declaration
of Human Rights), Strong Canadians – (Canadian profiles, five paragraph essay, chart tables, oral
presentation
Resources – Voices Past and Present (text support for human rights/freedom units) Chicken Soup for
the Teenage Soul (supplementary material) government hand-outs, Les Miserables (novel study)
ESL EO1 – Advanced
This final course prepares students for college or university level courses. Students study a variety of
literary genres including personal, persuasive and expository essays, drama, poetry, a novel study and an
independent study project. Students explore essay writing in much greater detail using the writing process.
The goal is for students to be self-directed life long learners with values and attitudes founded on Catholic
social teaching. Students explore literature themes by working with peers and are encouraged to recognize
the importance of family values and citizenship within a global Christian context.
Units of Study – The Essay, Drama, Media Issues, A Novel Study, Poetry, Social Issues – An Independent
Study
Resources – Style and Substance (text - Essay, Poetry, Short Story), A Streetcar Named Desire
(Drama), The Alchemist (Novel), Academic English (Essay, Grammar)