Class Calendar Length
Semester Long
Grade Levels
9, 10
Prerequisites
Must be ELLs, WIDA Levels 1 through 3
Seats Available
15
Class Schedule
Mon to Fri, 09:10 to 09:55 am
Course Summary
This course is designed for students who are learning English and want to grow their academic skills in a supportive, welcoming environment. Created specifically for students at WIDA Levels 1 through 3, the class focuses on building your confidence in speaking, reading, and writing for your other high school and college-level subjects. You will work on hands-on projects that use your own life experiences and cultural background as a guide for your learning. By the end of the term, you will have a stronger vocabulary and the professional tools needed to share your ideas clearly and successfully in any classroom.
Key Outcomes
- Master academic vocabulary and skimming/inferring reading strategies.
- Apply the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework to argumentative writing.
- Deliver professional oral presentations based on personal research.
Mass. State Standards
- RI.9-10.2, 10: Reading Informational Text (Determining central ideas and comprehension)
- W.9-10.1, 2, 4, 5: Writing (Argumentative and informative writing via CER framework)
- L.9-10.1–2: Language (Strengthening syntax, grammar, and standard conventions)
- RCA-H.9-10.1: Reading in History (Analyzing evidence and central ideas)
- SLCA.9-10.1, 4: Speaking & Listening (Collaborative discussions and presentations)
About the Instructor
Sam Yung is a Fulbright scholar and dynamic educator at Phoenix Charter Academy Network (Chelsea) with over ten years of experience in ESL and K-12 instruction. He holds a Master of Arts in Applied Linguistics from Old Dominion University and a Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University, bringing a track record of designing culturally relevant materials that significantly enhance student engagement. Currently, Sam focuses on asset-based pedagogy, helping students leverage their lived experiences and cultural identities as powerful tools for academic achievement.