Modern Language/English Learners/BL Department at Morton West

Welcome!

Welcome to the Morton West Modern Language/English Learners/BL Department!

On this page, you will find a list of courses offered, downloadable resources, staff contact information and promotional videos.

Melody Becker

Modern Language/English Learners Director

Email: mbecker@jsmorton.org

Mission

The mission of the J.S. Morton HSD 201 ELL and Modern Language Department is to use the target language to develop successful multilingual lifetime learners with an understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, empowered to become productive citizens in our global economy.

Vision

ELL

English Language Learners Courses

Click each course to view its description.

ELL English I

Course Description

In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of speaking and writing. This course is for students who are new to English. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language. Students will take the ACCESS test to measure their language development. This course is an English credit towards graduation.

CREDIT: 1.0
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

ELL Reading I

Course Description

This course is a compliment to the ELL English I course. It provides students with an intensive study of reading and writing skills. Writing skills advance from the sentence level to paragraph level and eventually to essays and reports. Adapted reading materials are used for identifying main ideas, details as well as literal and inferential information.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: None
OFFERED: One year course

ELL English II

Course Description

In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of speaking and writing. This course is for students who have been studying English for less than three years. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language. Students will take the ACCESS test to measure their language development. This course is an English credit towards graduation.

CREDIT: 1.0
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH I
OFFERED: One year course

ELL Reading II

Course Description

In this course, English Learner students focus on language development in the areas of reading and listening. This course is for students who have been studying English for less than three years. Students will work with a variety of texts and projects to interact with the language.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL READING I
OFFERED: One year course

ELL English III

Course Description

This course is for students who understand and participate in everyday English conversation. Continued attention to speaking and listening is given. Emphasis is on English language structure. Writing is a primary focus. This course fulfills one unit of English credit.

CREDIT: 1.0
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH III
OFFERED: One year course

ELL English IV

Course Description

This course is for students who understand and participate in everyday English conversation as well as in academic settings. Students will continue to expand and strengthen their reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. This course fulfills one unit of English credit.

CREDIT: 1.0
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of ELL ENGLISH III
OFFERED: One year course

Chinese

Chinese Course Descriptions

Click each course to view its description.

Chinese I

Chinese II

Course Description

This course is the second course in the series for Chinese. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Chinese Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE I
OFFERED: One year course

Chinese III

Course Description

This course is the third course in the series for Chinese. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Chinese Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE II
OFFERED: One year course

AP Chinese Language and Culture

Course Description

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective/Honors
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITE: One year of CHINESE III
OFFERED: One year course

French

French Course Descriptions

Click each course to view its description.

French I

French II

Course Description

This course is the second course in the series for French. Students will continue to develop their understanding of French Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH I
OFFERED: One year course

French III

Course Description

This course is the third course in the series for French. Students will continue to develop their understanding of French Language and Culture. Students will use their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills previously learned in different projects and presentations based on French-speaking countries. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies. Course is given in mostly French.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH II
OFFERED: One year course

AP French Language and Culture

Course Description

Students will continue to read, speak and write in French, continue the study of cultures of French speaking countries and read a variety of literary works written in French. Students are required to take the AP French Language and Culture exam.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective/Honors
GRADE: 12
PREREQUISITE: One year of FRENCH III
OFFERED: One year course

Spanish

Spanish Course Descriptions

Click each course to view its description.

Spanish I

Spanish II

Course Description

This course is the second course in the series for Spanish. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Spanish Language and Culture. Students will develop their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH I
OFFERED: One year course

Spanish III

Course Description

This course is the third course in the series for Spanish. Students will continue to develop their understanding of Spanish Language and Culture. Students will use their reading, writing, listening and speaking skills previously learned in different projects and presentations based on Spanish-speaking countries. Students will also enjoy experiences that help them understand and appreciate customs, food, music, dance, holidays and ceremonies. Course is given in mostly Spanish.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH II
OFFERED: One year course

Spanish Language Arts IV

Course Description

This course is designed for students with an advanced speaking and writing skills in Spanish. Students will study culture from Spanish-speaking countries using reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students will enjoy various readings and activities concerning festivities, important historical events, different indigenous groups, and works of influential authors of Spanish-speaking countries as well as learn about the Latinos in the United States and how they have shaped the Latino communities as well as the economy and education in the United States. Course is given all in Spanish.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 9-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH III OR PLACEMENT TEST
OFFERED: One year course

Spanish Language Arts V

Course Description

This course is designed for students with an advanced speaking and writing skills in Spanish. Students will study Hispanic culture using reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Students will enjoy various readings and activities concerning festivities, important historical events and works of influential authors of Spanish-speaking countries. Course is given in all Spanish.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV OR PLACEMENT TEST
OFFERED: One year course

AP Spanish Language and Culture

Course Description

Students will continue to read, speak and write in Spanish, continue the study of cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and read a variety of literary works written in Spanish. Students are required to take the AP Spanish Language and Culture exam.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective/Honors
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: One year of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV OR SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V OR PLACEMENT TEST
OFFERED: One year course

AP Spanish Literature and Culture

Course Description

Students will continue to read, speak, listen and write in Spanish. They will continue to study the cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and read a variety of literary works in Spanish. Emphasis is given to preparation for the AP Spanish Literature exam. Students are required to take the AP Spanish Literature and Culture exam.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective/Honors
GRADE: 11-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV, SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V, AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE

OFFERED: One year course

Spanish Translation and Interpretation

Course Description

This course supports the goals of the Portrait of a Morton Graduate Career Focus. Students will prepare for certification in Translation and Interpretation. This course helps students prepare for the Seal of Biliteracy. This course prepares students for using their Spanish language assets in a work setting. Students will be able to prove their language skills and report them on their resume.

CREDIT: 1.0
TYPE: Elective/Honors
GRADE: 10-12
PREREQUISITE: Successful completion of SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS IV, SPANISH LANGUAGE ARTS V, AP SPANISH LANGUAGE AND CULTURE, AP SPANISH LITERATURE AND CULTURE
OFFERED: One year course

Seal of Biliteracy

What is the Seal of Biliteracy?

The Seal of Biliteracy is a recognition given to graduating Seniors who demonstrate high levels of proficiency in English and another language.

Seal of Biliteracy Criteria

What is the criteria of the Seal of Biliteracy?

English (ONE of the following):

ACT Score composite of 21 or 18 on the English Subject Area Test
SAT Score of 480 in English Language Arts (EBRW)
ACCESS Score of 4.8 Overall
AP English Language and Composition score of 5
AAPPL Test Score of Intermediate-5 or Advanced in all 4 domains

World Language (ONE of the following):

4 or 5 on the AP Language and Culture Exam
AAPPL Test score of Intermediate-5 or Advanced in all 4 domains
Portfolio option for languages in which tests are not available

What is the criteria for the Commendation toward the Seal of Biliteracy?

English (ONE of the following):

ACT Score composite of 21 or 18 on the English Subject Area Test
SAT Score of 480 in English (EBRW)
ACCESS Literacy Score of 3.5 or above
AP English Language and Composition score of 4
AAPPL Test Score between Intermediate-1 and Intermediate-4 in all 4 domains

World Language (ONE of the following):

3 on the AP Language and Culture Exam
AAPPL Test score between Intermediate-1 and Intermediate-4 in all 4 domains
Portfolio option for languages in which tests are not available

Seal of Biliteracy Benefits

What are the benefits of the Seal of Biliteracy?

Graduating Seniors who receive the Seal of Biliteracy will gain the following benefits:

Gold Seal of Biliteracy on High School Diploma and high school transcripts
Name in Graduation Bulletin and recognition at the graduation ceremony
Meet the college entrance requirement of two years of foreign language for Illinois public colleges and universities
Obtain college credit in modern languages at Illinois public colleges and universities, and participating private universities
Proof of language skills for resume and career

College Credits through the Seal of Biliteracy

High School College Credit Flier