Language development is central to students’ intellectual, social, and emotional growth, and should be seen as a key element of the curriculum. The language curriculum is based on the belief that literacy is critical to responsible and productive citizenship. The curriculum is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve this goal.
For students, what they know about language comes from listening and speaking with others, being read to by adults, and interacting with media texts such as advertisements, television programs, video games, songs, photographs, and films. Real, purposeful talk is not only an essential component of the language curriculum; it needs to be threaded throughout all subject areas.
The expectations for language build upon the prior knowledge and experience students bring to the classrooms. As students are from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the base of knowledge, experience, and skills varies from student to student. This not only creates a classroom rich in diversity but also highlights the importance for language instruction to be differentiated to meet the needs of all students.
The language curriculum is divided into four strands:
- Oral Communication
- Reading
- Writing
- Media Literacy
